MLB Player News

Smith is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Guardians.

After returning from the injured list Monday, the left-handed-hitting Smith was included in the lineup for the first two games of the series while the Guardians sent right-handed starters to the hill. With southpaw Parker Messick toeing the rubber for Cleveland in the finale, Smith will give way to the right-handed-hitting Tyler Locklear at first base. The two players could end up forming a loose platoon at the position over the final few weeks of the season.

Rice went 1-for-4 with a solo home run and a walk in Tuesday's 13-3 rout of the Rays.

The Yankees tied a franchise record with nine home runs Tuesday, and Rice's contribution was a 406-foot solo shot in the fourth inning. The slugger extended his on-base streak to eight games, a span in which he's batting .333 (10-for-30) with three homers, nine RBI, five runs and a 7:10 BB:K. Rice has become an everyday presence in New York's lineup and has taken over the No. 1 catcher role from Austin Wells, starting behind the plate in five of the team's past seven contests.

Pirates director of sports medicine Todd Tomczyk said Wednesday that Valdez (shoulder) will meet his surgeon, Dr. Jeffrey Dugas, in Alabama later this month and could be cleared to resume hitting thereafter, Colin Beazley of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.

Valdez underwent season-ending surgery in May to address a dislocated left shoulder, but the Pirates anticipate that he'll be ready to play during winter ball. More specifically, Tomczyk suggested that Valdez could be fully cleared for game action by October, though that will hinge on how quickly the 26-year-old is able to advance through his hitting program. Valdez is a left-handed hitter but a right-handed thrower, so the surgery to his left shoulder is of greater concern to his long-term outlook at the plate rather than as a defender.

Chisholm went 2-for-5 with a solo home run against Tampa Bay in a 13-3 win Tuesday.

Chisholm's third-inning solo shot was one of nine homers the Yankees clubbed in the contest, tying a franchise record. The long ball was Chisholm's third in his past seven games, a span in which he's also stolen seven bases. While he's batting a modest .238 through 390 plate appearances this season, Chisholm has offered plenty of fantasy value with 22 home runs, 21 thefts, 57 RBI and 56 runs scored while having eligibility in most formats at second base, third base and the outfield.

Jones (elbow) will meet with his surgeon, Dr. Keith Meister, in early September and could be cleared to begin a throwing program if all goes well during his checkup, Colin Beazley of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.

Nearly four months removed from surgery to repair a UCL tear in his right elbow, Jones thus far hasn't hit any snags in the early stages of his recovery and could soon take his first major step forward by beginning to play catch. At the time Jones' surgery was performed May 21, the Pirates estimated that he would be ready to pitch in games approximately 10-to-12 months later, so the right-hander would appear to have an outside chance of being ready for Opening Day in 2026. Jones' outlook for next season likely won't become clearer until spring training, when the Pirates should have an update regarding where he stands in his throwing program.

Judge went 2-for-5 with a solo home run, a walk and three total runs scored in Tuesday's 13-3 victory versus the Rays.

Judge hit the first of a franchise-record-tying nine New York homers, going deep to center field in the first inning. The long ball was the slugger's 40th of the campaign, marking the fourth time in his career he's reached that milestone. Per MLB.com, Judge is the fourth Yankee -- joining Babe Ruth, Lou Gehrig and Mickey Mantle -- with four career campaigns of 40-plus homers.

Pirates senior director of sports medicine Todd Tomczyk said Wednesday that Cruz (concussion) has ramped up his activity over the last 24-to-48 hours but isn't yet ready to return from the 7-day injured list, Colin Beazley of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports. "He's making progress and he's improving and he's feeling a lot better," Tomczyk said.

After landing on the IL last Wednesday, Cruz is now eligible to return at any point, but the 26-year-old looks like he'll still need a little more time to clear the concussion protocol. Jack Suwinski has received most of the starts in center field while Cruz has been on the shelf.

Caballero went 2-for-4 with two home runs, a walk and three total RBI in Tuesday's 13-3 rout over Tampa Bay.

The Yankees tied a franchise record with nine total home runs in the romp, with three different players clubbing two long balls apiece. Caballero was the least likely of those three -- coming into the contest, he had gone 50 games since his last home run and had belted just two over 96 games on the season. The unexpected power display was another notch in what has been an explosive four-game stretch for the utility man. Caballero has started in each of those four contests at three different positions (right field, shortstop and third base) while going a scorching 7-for-15 at the plate with six runs, four RBI and four stolen bases. While he doesn't have an everyday spot in the lineup and is part of a crowded roster, Caballero's hot stretch has made it hard for the manager Aaron Boone to leave him out of the starting nine.

The Red Sox optioned Campbell to Triple-A Worcester on Wednesday.

Campbell made five appearances after being recalled earlier this month, yielding four runs with a 3:1 K:BB over 5.2 innings of work. The Red Sox are expected to call up right-hander Richard Fitts in a corresponding move prior to Thursday's game against the Yankees.

Bart is not in the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Blue Jays.

Bart will yield to Henry Davis at catcher for the second day in a row after he had started both of the two games prior to that. Neither catcher has made much of a case offensively for more playing time, though Bart has put up an .846 OPS in a nine-game sample in August.