MLB Player News

Smith (hamstring) will begin a rehab assignment with Triple-A Buffalo on Thursday, Arden Zwelling of Sportsnet.ca reports.

Smith is slated to play back-to-back full games before being evaluated for a potential return. The utility player landed on the 10-day injured list last week with left hamstring inflammation, but he avoided a strain and is tracking toward a minimum stay on the IL.

Irvin did not factor into the decision Thursday against the Rockies, allowing a run on three hits and six walks over 4.1 innings. He struck out six.

While he held Colorado to a lone run Thursday, Irvin left the game before he could qualify for the win after he threw 94 pitches (53 strikes) while issuing a season-high six walks. Despite his spotty command, it could still be considered a step in the right direction for Irvin, who had struggled to a 7.01 ERA across 25.2 frames in his previous five starts. Overall, the right-hander is 2-8 with a 5.62 ERA, 1.40 WHIP and 82:39 K:BB across 17 starts (81.2 innings) this season. Irvin's currently in line to face Atlanta at home his next time out.

Hughes (0-6) took the loss Thursday against the Nationals, allowing four runs on seven hits and four walks over five innings. He struck out three.

Hughes has had a rough go of it on the mound of late, posting a 10.03 ERA over 23.1 innings in his last five outings. Overall, the rookie right-hander sports a 6.61 ERA through 47.2 innings this season with a 1.45 WHIP and 38:19 K:BB. Hughes, who's still looking for his first major-league win, tentatively lines up to face the Orioles at home his next time out.

Lorenzen signed a major-league contract with the Blue Jays on Thursday, Shi Davidi of Sportsnet.ca reports.

The Rockies cut ties with Lorenzen last week after he turned in a 7.08 ERA and 1.88 WHIP across 115.2 innings, but he'll now receive an opportunity to pitch for Toronto. The Blue Jays have an open spot in their rotation after placing Shane Bieber (shoulder) on the injured list Tuesday, but manager John Schneider said that Lorenzen will begin his tenure with the club working out of the bullpen, per Arden Zwelling of Sportsnet.ca.

Lile went 3-for-4 with a solo home run, an additional RBI and two total runs scored in Thursday's 7-1 win over the Rockies.

Lile opened the scoring in the first inning with an RBI single before extending Washington's lead to 4-1 in the fifth with a 399-foot blast off Gabriel Hughes, his 18th homer this season. Lile has been hot at the plate of late, going 12-for-28 (.429) with three homers and nine RBI in his last seven contests. Overall, the outfielder is slashing .251/.300/.424 with 74 RBI, 69 runs scored and 13 stolen bases across 556 plate appearances this year.

Turang isn't in the lineup for Thursday's game against the Mets.

Turang doesn't typically move to the bench against left-handers despite carrying a .545 OPS against them this season, but the Brewers will get him a day off Thursday against southpaw Sean Manaea. David Hamilton will fill in at the keystone while Joey Ortiz mans the hot corner.

Schmidt (elbow) is expected to begin a rehab assignment Saturday, Meredith Marakovits of YES Network reports.

It's unclear which affiliate Schmidt will be assigned to, but it will be his first time pitching in a game since he underwent an internal brace procedure last July. The expectation is that Schmidt will not have enough time to be built back up as a starting pitcher, but he could help the Yankees in a relief role in September.

Bauers (shin) remains out of the lineup for Thursday's tilt against the Mets.

It's the third straight absence for Bauers, who is dealing with shin splints. He's considered day-to-day and will aim to return to the lineup for the start of the Brewers' homestand Friday versus the Rangers. Andrew Vaughn is covering first base again for Milwaukee.

Loftin is absent from the lineup for Thursday's game in Toronto.

Loftin had made eight consecutive starts, but he will retreat to the bench for Thursday's series finale. Josh Rojas will occupy the hot corner for the Royals in the rubber match.

The Royals optioned Black to Triple-A Omaha on Thursday.

Black pitched two scoreless innings during Wednesday's contest, marking the first time since June 7 that he didn't give up a run during an appearance in the big leagues. Now carrying a 4.31 ERA and 1.60 WHIP on the season, he'll move back down to Triple-A so the Royals can bring in a fresh arm in the form of Anthony Gose.