MLB Player News

The Rangers optioned Smith to Triple-A Round Rock on Friday.

Smith was just activated from the 10-day injured list earlier this week after being out since early May with glute and wrist injuries as well as viral meningitis. He still leads Texas with 28 starts at second base this season even with all the missed time, but Smith has managed just a .218/.316/.248 slash line covering 117 plate appearances. He should be back with the big club later this season, but for now he'll try to get his swing in order at Round Rock.

Chisholm (groin) is starting at second base and batting fifth Friday against the Reds.

Chisholm exited Thursday's contest versus the White Sox after a fouling a pitch off himself but is back in action for Friday's series opener versus Cincinnati. The 28-year-old is batting just .178 (8-for-45) through 14 games in June, though he also has a triple, four homers, six steals, 10 RBI and 12 runs scored.

Torres (oblique) received a cortisone injection Friday and is expected to start up his rehab program in the next day or two, Chris McCosky of The Detroit News reports.

The veteran second baseman was placed on the 10-day injured list Wednesday due to an oblique strain, and he won't waste much time before getting treatment. Torres was sidelined more than a month with the same injury earlier this season, though it's unclear how long he's expected to be out this time around.

Clement is out of the lineup for Friday's game versus the Cubs in part due to lingering left hip soreness, Arden Zwelling of Sportsnet.ca reports.

It's something Clement has been playing through for a while, and the Blue Jays finally found an opportune time to rest the infielder amidst a 16-day stretch with no off days. Clement should be considered day-to-day. Davis Schneider is handling second base Friday.

Loftin went 2-for-5 with two doubles and two RBI in Thursday's 14-6 win over St. Louis.

With Maikel Garcia nursing a hand injury, Loftin got the start at the hot corner and ripped a pair of doubles that both left his bat at over 100 mph. His two-bagger in the fourth inning plated a pair of runs. The 27-year-old has been a hit machine of late, logging multiple hits in three of the past four games. On the year, the utility man is slashing .245/.348/.400 with 14 extra-base hits including one homer, 20 RBI and 14 runs scored across 133 plate appearances. Should Garcia continue to be held out or ultimately require a stint on the injured list, Loftin stands to carry the load at third base.

Clement is not in the lineup for Friday's game against the Cubs.

It marks the first time since May 19 that Clement has been provided with a day of rest. The Blue Jays will roll with Davis Schneider at second base as they kick off a series on the north side of Chicago.

Chisholm exited Thursday's contest against the White Sox in the fourth inning due to an apparent groin injury, Gary Phillips of the New York Daily News reports.

Chisholm fouled a ball off his inner groin area in the bottom of the fourth inning, and he was ultimately forced to exit the game in the middle of his at-bat. The 28-year-old finished his day 0-for-1 from the plate, and Anthony Volpe replaced him in the contest, batting fifth versus Chicago. An update on Chisholm's status moving forward will likely come in the near future.

Bazzana went 1-for-3 with two walks and a solo home run in Thursday's 4-2 win over Milwaukee. He was also caught stealing.

Bazzana's solo shot in the seventh gave the Guardians a 3-2 lead and helped prevent a three-game sweep by the Brewers. The home run was his fifth of the season and could spell an end to a slump. The rookie second baseman entered the game having gone 3-for-32 (.094) over the previous eight contests and didn't drive in a run in the previous seven.

The Angels recalled Moore from Triple-A Salt Lake on Thursday, Sam Blum of The Athletic reports.

Moore will return to the majors as the roster replacement for Mike Trout, who landed on the injured list Thursday due to a hamstring injury. Moore has worked exclusively as a second baseman in the majors but has been getting reps in left field at Triple-A recently, so the Halos may look to capitalize on the 23-year-old's newfound versatility and give him a chance in the outfield while Trout is out.

Kiner-Falefa started at shortstop and went 1-for-3 with a solo home run in Thursday's 4-3 loss to the Blue Jays.

Kiner-Falefa opened the bottom of the eighth inning with his second home run of the season. He got the start at shortstop against a right-hander, which has been a spot for Marcelo Mayer, who was given a breather after five consecutive starts. Kiner-Falefa has been an infield regular since Trevor Story (abdomen) hit the injured list, serving at second base, shortstop and third base. He's been the most productive of a group that includes Mayer and Caleb Durbin. Kiner-Falefa is slashing .304/.368/.435 with two home runs and eight RBI over the last 21 games.