MLB Player News

Duran started at third base and went 2-for-4 with two runs scored in Tuesday's 7-6 loss to the Mets.

Duran was in the starting lineup for the 11th consecutive game and the 17th time in the last 18 contests. He's filled in at first base against left-handers, then helped cover the left side of the infield, where Corey Seager and Josh Smith have battled injuries. Smith returned as the designated hitter Tuesday, which could spell the end of Duran's streak in the starting nine. Eventually, when third baseman Josh Jung (wrist) returns, there will be a reduction in Duran's opportunities.

Smith served as the designated hitter and went 2-for-4 with a home run and three RBI in Tuesday's 7-6 loss to the Mets.

Smith returned to the starting lineup Tuesday after battling a hamstring issue since late last week. He was given a soft re-entry as the DH and could return to his normal duties as the fill-in third baseman for the injured Josh Jung (wrist). The surprisingly productive Smith has been a boon to the Rangers' offense which has missed Jung's bat. Smith is batting .298/.386/.451 with five homers, 16 doubles, one triple, 28 RBI and 34 runs scored over 249 plate appearances.

Espinal started at third base and went 1-for-4 with a home run and two RBI in Tuesday's 2-0 win over Pittsburgh.

Espinal provided all the offense needed with a two-run homer in the fifth inning. He was making his first start in seven games and has just 18 at-bats this month; however, he could see action in the immediate future. Jeimer Candelario, who started at first base, was removed from Tuesday's contest due to tendinitis. Candelario has been the team's primary third baseman and may be held out of Wednesday's series finale in Pittsburgh.

Hayes went 1-for-4 with a solo home run Tuesday against the Reds.

Hayes tallied the Pirates' only run with a solo home run in the seventh inning -- his third of the season. The performance also extended his hitting streak to a modest five games, though he has no multi-hit performances in that span to go along with only two RBI and two runs scored. Hayes has a disappointing .084 ISO across 215 plate appearances this season.

Vientos went 3-for-5 with a solo home run and two additional runs scored in Tuesday's win over the Rangers.

The 24-year-old third baseman opened the game's scoring by scorching a 409-foot solo homer off Michael Lorenzen in the second inning. Vientos has been hot since securing the hot corner in Queens when Brett Baty was demoted May 31, hitting .333 (19-for-57) with three homers, 11 runs scored and 11 RBI. Overall, Vientos is slashing .317/.375/.554 in 112 total plate appearances this season.

Manager Brandon Hyde said that Westburg was diagnosed with a bruised left hip following Tuesday's loss to the Yankees, Jacob Calvin Meyer of The Baltimore Sun reports.

Westburg collided with Juan Soto during the first inning of Tuesday's contest and eventually had to leave the game in the second. He appears to have avoided any significant damage, and it's possible he'll return to Baltimore's lineup Wednesday without missing any games.

Manager David Bell said Candelario was removed from Tuesday's win over the Pirates due to tendinitis, Charlie Goldsmith of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

Candelario appeared to be in a bit of pain while running the bases during Tuesday's game, eventually leading to his removal during the eighth inning. However, the Reds' skipper noted that the 30-year-old infielder is not at risk of spending time on the injured list, and he seemed confident that the injury will go away relatively quickly. Should Candelario have to miss any games, Santiago Espinal figures to be the next man up to start at third base.

Westburg left Tuesday's contest with the Yankees in the bottom of the second inning with left hip discomfort, Jake Rill of MLB.com reports.

Westburg struck out swinging to open the game in the top of the first inning and he was later removed from the contest in the bottom of the second. Westburg will certainly undergo imaging on his hip to determine the severity of the injury, but in the meantime, Ramon Urias has replaced him at third base against New York.

White Sox GM Chris Getz said Tuesday that Moncada (adductor) is expected to return around the All-Star break, which runs July 15-18, Vinnie Duber of AllCHGO.com reports.

The 29-year-old suffered the adductor strain in early May and was given an initial return timeline of 3-to-6 months, and it appears he's on track to be back at the front of that window. Jimenez will likely require at least a handful of games in the minors to get back up to speed before being activated.

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.