MLB Player News

Smith hit leadoff and started at third base in Monday's 6-3 win over St. Louis, going 2-for-4 with a run scored.

Smith was in the field at third base even though Josh Jung was activated off the 60-day injured list Monday. While that was surprising, so was Smith's slotting in the leadoff spot while Marcus Semien was dropped to third in the order. Texas manager Bruce Bochy told Kennedi Landry of MLB.com that the tweaked batting order was in relation to Jung's return. It's unclear if more tweaks are expected once Jung is in the starting lineup, or if the changes will be reflected against both right-handed and left-handed starters.

Garcia went 2-for-4 with a double, a stolen base and two runs scored in Monday's 8-5 win over the White Sox.

Since Garcia was dropped from the leadoff spot July 7, he's batting .327 (16-for-49) with three extra-base hits and three steals over 15 contests. He's hit atop the order twice in that span, but has most often batted eighth and occasionally seventh. It appears he's doing more with less, and his speed makes him an interesting fantasy option even without the leadoff gig. Garcia has a career-high 24 steals to go with six home runs, 45 RBI, 64 runs scored, 18 doubles, five triples and a .238/.287/.350 slash line over 104 contests this season.

Barger went 1-for-4 with a three-run home run in Game 1 of Monday's doubleheader against Baltimore.

Barger didn't start either contest and didn't play at all in Game 2, but he enjoyed an MLB milestone n the matinee with a three-run homer -- his first career long ball -- in the fifth inning. The outfielder entered that contest in the second frame as a result of Justin Turner being pulled after he was dealt to the Mariners in a trade. Barger has played sporadically while with the big-league club, and that doesn't figure to change much in spite of Toronto's roster shakeup given his .174/.197/.261 slash line on the season.

Westburg went 5-for-8 with a home run, three doubles, four RBI, three runs and a walk against Baltimore across both games of Monday's doubleheader.

Westburg racked up three doubles in the first game and added a two-run homer int he nightcap, and he accumulated 11 total bases over both contests. The shortstop had been pretty cold coming into the twin bill, batting .167 (4-for-24) over his previous six games. On the season, Westburg is slashing .273/.320/.505 with 18 homers, 25 doubles, five triples, 58 RBI, 54 runs and six stolen bases over 99 contests.

Ramirez went 3-for-4 with two home runs and three RBI in Monday's 8-4 win over the Tigers.

Ramirez got extra-base hits in his first three at-bats Monday, his first homer traveling 451 feet, which is the longest of his career. Ramirez now has 26 home runs this season and 242 for his career, tied with Albert Belle for second in franchise history behind Jim Thome. It was Ramirez's 25th career multi-HR game, one behind the franchise record shared by Belle and Thome. Ramirez is in the midst of another stellar season hitting .276/.330/.527 with 26 homers, 85 RBI and 20 stolen bases through 103 games.

Miranda (head) is out of the lineup for Monday's game against the Mets.

Miranda was cleared of a concussion after being hit in the helmet by a pitch in the first inning of Sunday's 5-0 win over the Tigers, but he'll be given at least one day off to recover from a head contusion. Manuel Margot will get a turn as the Twins' designated hitter while Miranda rests up.

Vosler will start at first base and bat seventh in Monday's game against the Red Sox.

Vosler will pick up his fifth start in six games Monday, but his run of steady playing time will likely soon come to an end. The Mariners have acquired two everyday players in Randy Arozarena and Justin Turner within the past few days, and Vosler looks to be one of the Mariners regulars most at risk of losing out on work as Seattle clears room in the lineup for the new arrivals. Vosler has gone 4-for-18 with two extra-base hits, one walk, two RBI and two runs since getting called up from Triple-A Tacoma last Monday.

The Rangers designated Wendzel for assignment on Monday.

Wendzel was cast off the 40-man roster with the Rangers needing to open up a spot for third baseman Josh Jung (wrist), who was reinstated from the 60-day injured list. The 27-year-old Wendzel was optioned to Triple-A Round Rock on July 4 after slashing .128/.163/.234 across 49 plate appearances between his two separate stints with the big club earlier this season. He'll likely stick around with Round Rock if he goes unclaimed off waivers.

The Rangers optioned Ornelas to Triple-A Round Rock on Monday.

Ornelas will return to the minors after appearing in 11 games for the Rangers following his June 30 call-up. He went 3-for-19 with an RBI over that span while serving as a utility infielder. Ornelas will get the chance to play on an everyday basis as he heads back to Round Rock, with whom he's slashed .248/.320/.348 with seven stolen bases, three home runs and 22 RBI across 257 plate appearances this season.

The Rangers recalled Duran from Triple-A Round Rock, and he'll start at designated hitter and bat seventh Monday against the Cardinals.

Duran is back with the big club for the first time in just over a month, joining the Rangers as a replacement on the active roster for Justin Foscue, who was optioned to Round Rock. The 25-year-old slashed an impressive .277/.302/.554 with five home runs and five stolen bases over his 19-game stint in the minors, but Duran likely won't be in store for everyday playing time as he rejoins Texas. Though he's out of the lineup Monday, Josh Jung (wrist) was activated from the 60-day injured list and is expected to take on a regular role beginning with Tuesday's game in St. Louis. Duran is expected to head to the bench to open up a spot in the lineup for Jung, but Duran could still get steady at-bats against left-handed pitching while he's with the Rangers.