MLB Player News

Manager Joe Maddon said he hopes Rizzo (back) will be ready to rejoin the lineup Friday against the Nationals, Jordan Bastian of MLB.com reports.

Rizzo is out of the lineup for a fourth straight game Thursday, though he did some hitting during pregame and is reportedly feeling better. According to Mark Gonzales of the Chicago Tribune, while Maddon is encouraged by Rizzo's chances at returning over the weekend, the manager wasn't certain the first baseman would be ready for Friday's series opener. "I'm encouraged for this weekend. Tomorrow would be great, but I'm not 100 percent sure," Maddon said. In the meantime, Victor Caratini is starting at first base in place of Rizzo on Thursday.

Tellez is not in the lineup Thursday against the White Sox.

Tellez will take a seat for Thursday's series opener against the White Sox while Vladimir Guerrero Jr. gets a turn at designated hitter. Since the beginning of May, Tellez is hitting .267/.298/.400 with a homer and a 34 percent strikeout rate in 12 games.

Rizzo (back) is not in the lineup Thursday against the Reds.

Rizzo will remain sidelined for a fourth straight game as he continues to deal with a tight back. According to Mark Gonzales of the Chicago Tribune, the first baseman was taking swings off a tee before Thursday's game, and he could be cleared to rejoin the lineup for Friday's series opener against the Nationals if he checks out OK. Victor Caratini is starting at first base in this one.

Calhoun (personal) will be reinstated from the paternity list ahead of Friday's series opener against the Royals.

Luis Rengifo was sent back to the minors following Wednesday's game against the Twins to free up a roster spot for Calhoun, who will rejoin the Angels after missing a pair of games attending the birth of his child. Calhoun, who is hitting .238/.323/.490 with nine homers and a pair of stolen bases on the season, should immediately rejoin the lineup against right-hander Brad Keller on Friday.

Cabrera is out of the lineup for the Thursday's game against the Royals, Evan Grant of The Dallas Morning News reports.

The 33-year-old will receive some routine maintenance for the day game after the night game, with Logan Forsythe spelling him at third base. Cabrera had started each of the Rangers' last 13 games, slashing .222/.327/.356 over that span.

Smith will start at first base and bat second Thursday against the Nationals.

Smith has only made two plate appearances since his May 9 callup from Triple-A Syracuse, but he made the most of the latter one with a pinch-hit solo home run in Tuesday's win. He'll now be rewarded with a start and a prominent spot in the lineup in the series finale while rookie Pete Alonso sits. Despite Alonso's struggles at the plate in recent weeks, Smith appears to have little chance of unseating him as the team's everyday first baseman.

Alonso is out of the lineup for Thursday's game against the Nationals.

Alonso has been struggling at the plate for most of May, batting just .196 with three home runs in 12 games while striking out 30 percent of the time. The rookie is in little danger of losing his starting role at this point, but he could be subject to more days off in the weeks to come as the Mets look to find room in the lineup for Dominic Smith, who has impressed in his limited action to date. Smith will substitute in for Alonso on Thursday and serve as the Mets' No. 2 hitter.

Bell went 2-for-4 with a double in an 11-1 loss to the Diamondbacks on Wednesday.

The 26-year-old extending his hitting streak to 15 games was about the only positive for the Pirates in the lopsided loss. During the hitting streak, Bell is batting .426 (26-for-61) with 14 extra-base hits and 21 RBI. He's slashing .333/.404/.693 with 12 home runs, 39 RBI and 27 runs in 150 at-bats this season.

Diaz said he was dealing with some pain in his ankle but hopes to play Friday against the Yankees, Juan Toribio of MLB.com reports.

Diaz exited Wednesday's game after he appeared to roll his left ankle while running the bases, though he initially attempted to stay in the game. The 27-year-old will have Thursday's off day to recover before attempting to start the series against the Yankees on Friday.

Diaz left Wednesday's game at Miami due to left ankle discomfort, Juan Toribio of MLB.com reports.

Diaz was removed for the bottom of the seventh inning, but the injury appeared to occur earlier in the game when he made a late stop running the bases between third and home. The 28-year-old will have a full day to recover with Thursday's scheduled off day and should be considered day-to-day ahead of this weekend's series against the Yankees.