MLB Player News

Smith went 2-for-3 with a solo home run in Thursday's win over the Giants.

Getting the start in left field and hitting second, the 23-year-old went back-to-back with Amed Rosario to lead off the first inning and get things rolling for the Mets. Smith has now played six games in left, gaining outfield eligibility in many fantasy formats, and that might be his clearest path to regular playing time with Pete Alonso entrenched at first base. Smith is certainly doing everything he can to force his way into the lineup more often, slashing .373/.468/.612 with four homers and a sharp 11:14 BB:K through 79 plate appearances.

Freeman went 1-for-3 with a solo home run in a 6-1 loss against the Pirates on Thursday.

The 29-year-old's numbers are just about where they are expected to be. He is slashing .307/.393/.580 in 272 plate appearances during 2019. Last season, Freeman posted a .309/.388/.505 slash line. He also has 16 home runs, 38 RBI, 45 runs and one steal in 238 at-bats this year.

Dixon went 2-for-4 with an RBI in Thursday's 6-1 loss to the Rays.

Dixon entered the game on a mini 1-for-13 slump over his past three contests, but he snapped out of the funk and raised his batting average to .296 with the two hits. A high BABIP is fueling a lot of Dixon's success, so some regression is likely coming, but he figures to hold onto a regular role with the Tigers as long as he keeps hitting.

Cooper went 1-for-3 with an RBI and a walk in Thursday's 5-1 loss to Milwaukee.

Cooper got the Marlins on the board in the sixth inning on a single to center field, but the Brewers would emerge victorious in the series finale. He's been seeing the ball well at the plate recently, collecting a base knock in six of his last seven contests. Cooper has launched two homers and sits with five RBI over that brief stretch.

Olson is not in the lineup Thursday against the Angels.

Olson has started the past 14 games for Oakland, slashing .222/.323/.500 with four homers and a 32.2 percent strikeout rate during that stretch. With left-hander Tyler Skaggs on the mound Thursday, Mark Canha is starting at first base and hitting sixth in place of Olson.

France was optioned to Triple-A El Paso on Thursday.

Fernando Tatis (hamstring) was reinstated from the injured list in a corresponding move, pushing Manny Machado back to an everyday role at third base and leaving little-to-no playing time for France. As such, he'll head back to the minors to see consistent at-bats with the Chihuahuas. During his time with the Padres, France slashed .235/.290/.357 with two homers and 10 RBI in 34 appearances (107 plate appearances).

Tellez is not in the lineup Thursday against the Yankees.

Tellez will sit for a second straight game as Randal Grichuk gets the nod at designated hitter in Thursday's series finale. It's unclear if Tellez is dealing with an injury -- he missed time over the weekend with a balky hamstring -- or if his recent struggles (.133 with a .388 OPS over his last 10 games) have prompted the Blue Jays to use their DH spot as a way to give position players a day off their feet.

Olson went 2-for-4 with an RBI single, a double and a walk in a loss to the Angels on Wednesday.

Olson's first multi-hit effort since May 22 snapped an 0-for-15 skid that had encompassed his previous four contests. The slugging first baseman had gotten his average up to .238 as recently as May 29, but the aforementioned multi-game slide had prompted a 36-point tumble prior to Wednesday's production.

Smith (thumb) will start in left field and bat second Thursday against the Giants, Matt Ehalt of Yahoo Sports reports.

Smith hyperextended his right thumb Saturday, but he avoided a trip to the injured list after an MRI cleared him of any structural damage. The injury nonetheless limited Smith to a bench role for the previous three contests, with the 23-year-old logging a sole pinch-hitting appearance during that span. With the soreness in his thumb apparently having subsided, Smith will enter the lineup in the series finale for what will be his fourth outfield start of the season. Smith could be pressed into more regular action in the event Robinson Cano (hamstring) needs to return to the IL, in which case Jeff McNeil would likely pick up more starts at second base rather than the outfield.

Abreu went 2-for-4 with a two-run home run in a 6-4 loss to the Nationals on Wednesday.

After hitting two long balls in late March to begin the year, the homers dried up for Abreu in April. He hit just three in that month, but he exploded for 10 in May and just smashed his first of June. Abreu has 11 homers in his last 131 at-bats. He isn't walking a lot, but his slugging percentage is a healthy .521, giving him an .822 OPS,. Overall, Abreu is batting .254 with 16 home runs, 52 RBI and 30 runs in 240 at-bats this season.