MLB Player News

Miranda went 4-for-4 with a homer, a double, two RBI and three runs scored in Friday's 13-12 loss to the Astros.

Miranda came a triple shy of the cycle and set a Twins franchise record in the seventh inning by tallying his 10th consecutive plate appearance with a hit. The 26-year-old launched a 414-foot solo shot off Shawn Dubin earlier in the game for his ninth homer of the season. Miranda now sports a nine-game hit streak over which he's batted an absurd .559 (19-for-34) with seven extra base hits, 12 RBI and 11 runs scored.

Moncada (adductor) will begin a rehab assignment with the White Sox's Arizona Complex League affiliate Tuesday and could rejoin the MLB club by the end of July, Scott Merkin of MLB.com reports.

Moncada will exclusively DH to start out his minor-league rehab stint, which will serve as his first in-game action since he suffered an adductor strain in early April. The veteran third baseman still has multiple checkpoints to clear before being reinstated, but he could be back before the calendar flips to August.

Smith is not in the starting lineup for Friday's game against the Rays due to glute tightness, Shawn McFarland of The Dallas Morning News reports.

It's the same injury that kept Smith off the field for four games in June, and the hope this time around is that the injury will keep him out of the lineup for just one or two games. Since June 1, the 26-year-old infielder is slashing .319/.407/.511 with four home runs, 12 RBI and an .918 OPS over 94 at-bats.

The Royals optioned Alexander to Triple-A Omaha on Friday.

Alexander appeared in four games with Kansas City after being called up June 24 but went 1-for-8 with three strikeouts during that stretch. He'll give up his spot on the active roster to Adam Frazier (thumb), who's being reinstated from the IL.

Smith is out of the lineup for Friday's game against Tampa Bay.

Smith will get a rare day off after making 13 consecutive starts. Jonathan Ornelas will bat ninth and play third base for Friday's series opener. Over his last four games, Smith is 6-for-16 with two runs and two RBI. Per Kennedi Landry of MLB.com, manager Bruce Bochy indicated that Smith felt a bit of discomfort after his last plate appearance Thursday night but didn't offer any specifics on Smith's health.

The Angels placed Rengifo on the 10-day injured list Friday with right wrist inflammation.

It appears an MRI cleared Rengifo of any structural damage in the wrist, but with the All-Star break looming, the Angels have opted to go ahead and put the super utility player on the IL. Rengifo will be eligible for activation on July 14, the last day of the first half, but realistically he'll probably be held out at least through the break. He had been seeing most of his playing time lately at third base, and that position now figures to be occupied mostly by Miguel Sano.

Rengifo (wrist) remains out of the lineup for Friday's game versus the Cubs, Rhett Bollinger of MLB.com reports.

The Angels are still waiting on the results of an MRI on Rengifo's wrist, which he injured during Wednesday's game against the Athletics. He's currently listed as a reserve on the team's lineup card, but Keston Hiura has been added to the taxi squad and could replace Rengifo on the active roster, depending on the latter's test results.

Smith batted leadoff and went 2-for-4 in Thursday's 3-1 loss to San Diego.

Smith was moved up to leadoff, as a slumping Marcus Semien was given a rare day off. Smith continues to be a surprise and leads the Rangers with a 2.7 WAR. He should continue to see regular work at third base with Josh Jung (wrist) not expected to return until after the All-Star break.

Sosa went 2-for-4 with a solo home run and an RBI single during Thursday's 8-4 loss to Cleveland.

Sosa logged multiple hits for a fifth straight outing, saving the streak with a solo homer in the ninth inning off Nick Sandlin. The 24-year-old Sosa had gone yard only twice in his first 38 games, but he has matched that number during the hit streak. Sosa is slashing .252/.287/.392 over 151 plate appearances this season.

Miranda went 5-for-5 with three doubles, four runs and three RBI during Thursday's 12-3 win over the Tigers.

Despite Thursday's game being called after seven innings due to inclement weather, Miranda had his first career five-hit game, besting his previous total of three hits. The outing also extended Miranda's hit streak to eight games, a stretch in which he's gone 15-for-30 with 10 RBI. Although Miranda had been a regular piece of the Twins' lineup anyway, he'll own an even more secure role while Royce Lewis (groin) is shelved.