MLB Player News

Manager Kevin Cash said Saturday that Walls (oblique) has progressed to playing in games at extended spring training, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

The next step for Walls is presumably to head out on a rehab assignment in the minors, but the Rays don't have a timetable in place for when that might happen. Once he's cleared to return to the active roster, the 29-year-old could compete with Carson Williams for starts at shortstop, as the latter has slashed just .130/.167/.174 during his first seven games of the season.

McKinstry went 2-for-4 with a home run and three RBI in Saturday's 11-6 win over St. Louis.

Getting the start in right field and batting seventh before shifting to third base later in the contest, McKinstry got in on a 12-hit, four-homer barrage from the Tigers by launching a Dustin May sweeper into the right-field seats for a two-run shot in the fourth inning. It was McKinstry's first extra-base hit, first run and first RBI of the year, and through five games the 30-year-old utility player is batting .250 (4-for-16) with an 0:4 BB:K.

Smith isn't in the lineup for Saturday's game against the Athletics, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.

Smith will head to the bench for the first time this season after collecting hits in five of his last six games. Joey Loperfido will replace him in right field and bat sixth.

Durbin went 1-for-4 with an RBI in Friday's 5-2 win over the Padres.

Durbin, who was 0-for-18 on the road to start his stay in a Red Sox uniform, heard a smattering of boos Friday when introduced prior to Boston's home-opener. The boos grew a little louder after he hit into an inning-ending double play in the second inning. Durbin then turned the boos into cheers in his next plate appearance when he drove in the Red Sox's second run with a two-out RBI single. Despite the shaky start, Durbin will continue to be the primary starter at third base with the opportunity to build off his contribution to Friday's win.

Henderson went 3-for-5 with a double, a solo home run, two RBI and two runs scored in Friday's 5-4 loss to the Pirates.

Henderson entered play Friday with just four hits on the season, so this was a breakthrough performance for the 24-year-old shortstop. Henderson doubled home Blaze Alexander in the fifth inning before taking Gregory Soto deep for a solo homer in the ninth. Through seven contests, Henderson is slashing .233/.303/.500 with two home runs, six RBI, four runs scored and one stolen base across 33 plate appearances.

The Astros placed Paredes on the bereavement list Friday, Matt Kawahara of the Houston Chronicle reports.

By rule, Paredes will miss at least the entire three-game weekend series against the Athletics and as many as four additional contests after that. Paredes has started six of seven games this season, but with Jeremy Pena getting back up to speed following a finger injury, Paredes' playing time could dip a bit once he's back from the bereavement list.

Mayo is out of the lineup for Friday's game against the Pirates, Roch Kubatko of MASNSports.com reports.

Mayo started the first four games of the season but finds himself on the bench Friday for the second time in Baltimore's past three contests. The 24-year-old has gone 2-for-17 with a double, a stolen base, three walks and seven strikeouts in 20 plate appearances. Blaze Alexander and Jeremiah Jackson, who have been splitting time at second base, are both in the lineup Friday, with Alexander at the hot corner and Jackson at the keystone.

Keith is not in the lineup for Friday's game versus the Cardinals.

It's a routine breather for Keith, who sports a healthy .962 OPS in the early going this season. Gleyber Torres is getting a start in the designated hitter slot and Zach McKinstry will cover second base for the Tigers.

Durbin went 0-for-4 with two strikeouts in Wednesday's 6-4 loss to Houston.

Durbin is one of many Red Sox hitters to have stumbled out of the gate. Following a fifth consecutive hitless performance, Boston's primary third baseman is 0-for-18 with five strikeouts and one walk.

Jung went 2-for-4 with an RBI in Wednesday's 8-3 loss to Baltimore.

Jung, who returned to the lineup after a getting a day off Tuesday, logged his first hits of the season and drove in his first run. He was hitless over his first 18 at-bats before a run-scoring single in the fourth inning. Tuesday's rest day may have been the ticket for Jung, who registered three hard-hit batted-ball events, per Statcast.