MLB Player News

Smith went 1-for-1 with a solo home run in Saturday's 11-0 win over the A's.

Despite starting the game on the bench for the first time this season, Smith put the finishing touches on Houston's blowout victory, launching his second homer of the year off Luis Medina in the eighth after entering the game as a defensive replacement the inning prior. The 23-year-old Smith has been swinging the bat well, logging at least one hit in his last five games. He's gone 6-for-15 with three extra-base hits in that span.

The White Sox recalled Murray from Triple-A Charlotte on Sunday.

Outfielder Everson Pereira (ankle) landed on the 10-day IL on Sunday, and Murray was summoned from Charlotte to take his place. Murray is a super-utility type who has seen action all over the infield and in the outfield during his time in the minors. He had a nice spring with a .952 OPS, two homers, seven RBI and one stolen base for the big club and was slashing .304/.467/.606 with two homers, seven RBI and two thefts across six games at Triple-A prior to being recalled. Murray is starting at shortstop and batting seventh in what will be his MLB debut Sunday.

Garcia went 3-for-5 with a double, an RBI and a run scored in Saturday's Game 2 win over Milwaukee.

It was Garcia's second multi-hit game of the young campaign, and he picked up only his second extra-base knock. He wasn't quite as productive in the matinee, going 0-for-4 with a walk and two strikeouts. The infielder has logged at least one hit in six of his first eight contests, also posting one stolen base thus far. Garcia has been Kansas City's everyday leadoff man to begin the year, which should give him plenty of chances to score runs and swipe bags in the future.

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.

Hayes isn't in the lineup for Saturday's game against the Rangers.

Hayes will take a seat Saturday and recollect himself after going just 2-for-19 (.105) at the dish through his first seven games. His absence will move Eugenio Suarez to third base, opening up the DH spot for Nathaniel Lowe.

Triolo isn't in the lineup for Saturday's game versus Baltimore.

Triolo went 2-for-3 with an RBI and a run scored in Friday's series opener, but he'll begin Saturday's contest in the dugout while Nick Gonzales starts at third base and bats eighth.

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.

Bichette went 3-for-5 with a double, one RBI and two runs scored in Friday's 10-3 win over the Giants.

This was Bichette's first multi-hit effort as a Met. The infielder is batting just .194 over eight games, but he has an extra-base hit in each of the last two contests and has struck out just twice over his last five games after fanning eight times in the first three games of the season. His speed has been down for three years, so he's unlikely to make noise on the basepaths, which makes it all the more important for Bichette to make hard and consistent contact while maintaining good plate discipline from the No. 3 spot in the order.