MLB Player News

Simpson isn't in the lineup for Saturday's game against the Yankees, Ryan Bass of FanDuel Sports Network Sun reports.

Simpson will step out of the starting nine Saturday with left-hander Ryan Yarbrough set to take the mound for New York. Christopher Morel, Kameron Misner and Jose Caballero will start across the Rays' outfield.

Neto went 1-for-4 with a solo home run in Friday's 9-1 loss to the Tigers.

He led off the bottom of the first inning by driving the first pitch he saw from Tarik Skubal into the rocks in straightaway center field at Angel Stadium, but it was all the offense the Halos could muster on the night. Neto has hit safely in eight straight games as he quickly makes up for his belated start to the season, batting .364 (12-for-33) during that streak with three doubles, three homers, four steals, four RBI and five runs.

Sweeney went 1-for-4 with a solo home run in Friday's 9-1 win over the Angels.

Sweeney hit his second home run of the season in the seventh inning, which at the time tied the game at 1-1 before the Tigers exploded for eight runs in the ninth. The shortstop is riding a modest three-game hitting streak, though he hasn't had a multi-hit performance since April 18, which has kept him from building much momentum.

Smith went 1-for-4 with a solo home run in Friday's 13-1 loss to the Mariners.

Smith's ninth-inning blast off Troy Taylor kept the Rangers from getting shut out, but that was about the only positive they could take from the game. Smith had gone just 5-for-28 (.179) over nine contests since his last homer against the Athletics on April 22. The utility player has slowed down a bit but still has a .296/.380/.457 slash line over 93 plate appearances this season. He's added three homers, seven RBI, 14 runs scored, four stolen bases and four doubles in 27 games.

Witt went 0-for-4 with two strikeouts in Friday's 3-0 loss to the Orioles.

Witt's strikeout in his final at-bat of Friday's game halted a 22-game hitting streak, tied for seventh longest in Royals history. Witt is having another All-Star-caliber season and ranks in the top five in the American League in doubles (12), hits (39), stolen bases (nine) and batting average (.312).

The Rangers recalled Ornelas from Triple-A Round Rock on Friday.

The 24-year-old will fill the roster spot of Nick Ahmed, who was designated for assignment Friday. Ornelas will provide some infield depth with Corey Seager (hamstring) on the injured list, but it'll be Josh Smith operating as the regular shortstop.

The Rangers designated Ahmed for assignment Friday.

Ahmed's removal from the 40-man roster clears a spot for the addition of Blaine Crim. The veteran shortstop is hitless in 10 plate appearances during his time with the big club this season.

Neto went 1-for-4 with a run and a stolen base in a loss to Detroit on Thursday.

Neto extended his hitting streak to seven games with a third-inning single, and he subsequently stole second base before being driven in by a Jorge Soler homer. Neto got a late start to the campaign due to a shoulder injury and initially batted seventh in the order, but he soon moved up to the No. 2 slot and has now batted leadoff for the Halos in three straight games. He's hit well in his 12 contests so far this season, slashing .283/.313/.565 with three home runs, six RBI, seven runs and four stolen bases.

Meidroth went 1-for-4 with a double, a walk and two runs scored Thursday against the Brewers.

Meidroth was in the lineup for the first time since April 20 after being forced to the injured list due to a thumb injury. He immediately slotted into the leadoff role and began the first frame with a double before coming around to score. Meidroth has split time between second base and shortstop since being promoted April 11, but he should have a near everyday role.

Witt went 1-for-3 with a two-run homer and an additional RBI in Thursday's 8-2 win over Tampa Bay.

Witt put the Royals ahead 3-1 with a two-out, opposite-field blast off Shane Baz, his third homer of the year. The long ball extends Witt's hitting streak to a career-best 22 games. The shortstop is now slashing .322/.400/.496 with 15 RBI, 20 runs scored and nine steals across 140 plate appearances this season.