MLB Player News

Smith went 1-for-4 with a solo home run in a loss to the Yankees on Wednesday.

Washington managed only three hits against a trio of New York pitchers, and Smith's ninth-inning solo shot accounted for the team's only run of the game. The long ball was the first for Smith since the All-Star break, though he's posted a .279 batting average over 111 at-bats during that span. Despite that decent mark, Smith doesn't produce enough to be a reliable fantasy asset -- he has just six homers, 34 RBI and one stolen base over 123 contests on the campaign.

Flores went 2-for-4 with a solo home run, an additional RBI and a walk in Wednesday's 8-6 extra-inning win over the Phillies.

Flores opened the scoring in the first inning with a solo shot and added an RBI single in the third. He's hit safely in seven of his last eight games, going 10-for-30 (.333) with three homers and seven RBI in that span. The infielder is up to 18 long balls, 46 RBI, 43 runs scored and a .304/.365/.545 slash line through 95 contests this season. He remains an option primarily at designated hitter and the corner infield spots.

Votto isn't in the Reds' lineup for the second half of Wednesday's doubleheader against the Angels, Gordon Wittenmyer of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

Left-hander Reid Detmers will take the mound for Los Angeles, so Votto will retreat to the bench for the start of Wednesday's nightcap. Christian Encarnacion-Strand will start at first base, and Spencer Steer will serve as the Reds' DH.

Raley is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Rockies, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

The lefty-hitting Raley will retreat to the bench while the Rockies bring southpaw Austin Gomber to the hill Wednesday. The Rays will roll out a starting outfield of Randy Arozarena, Jose Siri and Josh Lowe from left to right while Harold Ramirez serves as the team's designated hitter.

Schanuel is out of the lineup for the first game of Wednesday's doubleheader with the Reds.

Schanuel will take a seat for the first time since his promotion from Double-A Rocket City on Friday. He started at first base and served as the Angels' leadoff man in each of the past four games, going 4-for-15 with four base hits, two walks and four runs. The lefty-hitting Schanuel's absence from the lineup for the first game of the day comes with southpaw Andrew Abbott on the hill for Cincinnati, but so long as he can retain a regular spot atop the order versus righties, the 21-year-old rookie could be an excellent source of runs while batting in front of Shohei Ohtani and Mike Trout.

Houston activated Abreu (back) from the 10-day injured list Wednesday. He'll start at first base and bat sixth in the Astros' game against the Red Sox.

Abreu will return to action after missing about two weeks due to lower-back inflammation. He was in a 3-for-35 rut at the dish prior to the IL stint and has struggled to a .234/.291/.343 batting line in 464 total plate appearances overall this season.

Calhoun is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Dodgers, Joe Noga of The Cleveland Plain Dealer reports.

Calhoun will hit the bench Wednesday while Guardians manager Terry Francona stocks up on right-handed bats to counter Dodgers southpaw Clayton Kershaw. Gabriel Arias will step in at first base in place of Calhoun, who has slugged home runs in both of his last two starts.

Toglia is absent from the lineup for Wednesday's game in Tampa Bay.

Toglia slugged a home run in Tuesday's loss to the Rays but will begin Wednesday's contest on the bench. Charlie Blackmon is getting a start in right field and Jurickson Profar will be in the designated hitter spot while Toglia sits.

Diaz went 3-for-5 with a double, two RBI and two runs scored in Tuesday's 12-4 victory over the Rockies.

Diaz now has multiple hits in five consecutive contests, going 11-for-25 during that stretch. While the first baseman hasn't homered since Aug. 6, it's hard to complain about his .407 batting average in the 13 games since then.

Manzardo (shoulder) was activated from Triple-A Columbus' 7-day injured list Wednesday.

Manzardo went 0-for-8 with a walk, one RBI and a run scored over three games while rehabbing with the Guardians' Arizona Complex League affiliate. He's now clear to make his Columbus debut following a trade that sent him from the Rays organization. A strong showing with the Clippers could make him an option for a late-season call-up to Cleveland.