MLB Player News
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Luis Rengifo 2B | MIL
Angels' Luis Rengifo: Back in lineup Tuesday
Rengifo (wrist) is starting at third base and batting second Tuesday against the Brewers, Sam Blum of The Athletic reports.
The 27-year-old was absent from Monday's starting nine due to a bruised left wrist, but he entered as a pinch hitter and played a couple innings at third base. Rengifo is batting .286 with six steals through 15 games in June, but he has just one extra-base hit this month and hasn't hit a home run since May 24.
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Josh H. Smith SS | TEX
Rangers' Josh Smith: Back in lineup
Smith (hamstring) is batting third as the designated hitter Tuesday against the Mets.
Smith missed four straight games with tightness in his upper hamstring but will rejoin the lineup Tuesday. While he's healthy enough to play, the Rangers are opting to ease Smith into action in a non-defensive capacity, giving him his first start at DH this season.
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Jose Ramirez 3B | CLE
Guardians' Jose Ramirez: Returns from paternity leave
The Guardians activated Ramirez (personal) from the paternity list Tuesday.
Ramirez missed the final two games of the series in Toronto over the weekend as he welcomed a new addition to the family. He's now back for the start of the Guardians' three-game set versus the Mariners, which kicks off Tuesday night.
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Ernie Clement SS | TOR
Blue Jays' Ernie Clement: Three hits in Monday's loss
Clement went 3-for-4 in Monday's loss to the Red Sox.
Getting the nod at third base and batting eighth, the utility infielder out together his fourth straight multi-hit performance in a starting role. Clement's gone 9-for-13 over that blistering stretch with three doubles, a homer, two RBI and three runs as he takes advantage of Bo Bichette's absence to due to a calf issue. Even when Bichette is cleared to return, Clement's hot streak will likely keep him in the starting lineup for a Blue Jays squad scrambling to find offense wherever it can.
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Josh H. Smith SS | TEX
Rangers' Josh Smith: Sitting again, viewed as day-to-day
Smith is out of the lineup for Monday's game against the Mets while he continues to recover from what he described as "lower glute/upper hamstring" tightness, Kennedi Landry of MLB.com reports.
Rangers manager Bruce Bochy had previously said that Smith was dealing with general tightness, but the 26-year-old provided more specifics about the nature of his injury. Though Smith is on the bench Monday for a fourth straight game, he said he's improving every day and expects to rejoin the lineup within the next few days. Ezequiel Duran will spell Smith at third base Monday.
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Luis Rengifo 2B | MIL
Angels' Luis Rengifo: Out of lineup but available
Rengifo (wrist) is absent from the lineup for Monday's game versus the Brewers.
Rengifo exited Sunday's loss to the Giants with a left wrist contusion as a result of a hit by pitch. The infielder said he'll be available off the bench Monday, so he would seem to have a good shot to return to the lineup Tuesday. Luis Guillorme will cover third base in Rengifo's stead.
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Zach McKinstry 3B | DET
Tigers' Zach McKinstry: Absent from lineup
McKinstry is out of the lineup for Monday's game in Atlanta.
He and Ryan Kreidler have split the starts at shortstop down the middle, with both getting four apiece since Javier Baez (back) went on the injured list. McKinstry has now been on the bench for all three contests versus lefties, as Atlanta is starting southpaw Max Fried on Monday.
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Ernie Clement SS | TOR
Blue Jays' Ernie Clement: Swats third homer
Clement went 2-for-4 with a two-run home run in Sunday's win over the Guardians.
The utility player got the start at third base and hit ninth, and Clement opened the scoring for the Jays in the second inning by taking Ben Lively deep. Clement has multiple hits in three straight starts with three doubles and Sunday's long ball, and he could be slugging his way into more playing time. On the season, the 28-year-old is slashing .264/.286/.421 with three homers, three steals, 11 RBI and 17 runs in 128 plate appearances.
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Josh Jung 3B | TEX
Rangers' Josh Jung: Begins rehab assignment
Jung (wrist) started at third base and went 2-for-3 with an RBI and a run scored for Triple-A Round Rock on Sunday.
Jung kicked off a rehab assignment for the Express and played five innings in the field. Texas manager Bruce Bochy previously targeted Jung for 30 at-bats before returning to the major leagues, but the manager acknowledged Sunday to Kennedi Landry of MLB.com that it's a fluid situation. "We'll kind of monitor how things are going with him, the at-bats, how his body is bouncing back," Bochy said. "But we don't have a specific number." Jung fractured his wrist on April 1 and underwent surgery the following day, leading to his stay on the 60-day injured list.