MLB Player News

Duran entered Tuesday's 5-2 loss to Tampa Bay as a pinch hitter and stayed in the game at third base. He went 0-for-1 with a walk.

Duran pinch hit for Josh Smith, who had started at third base in place of the injured Josh Jung (thumb). The lefty-batting Smith started against a right-hander, while Duran cane into the game once a left-handed reliever entered for the Rays. While those two could form a platoon as Jung rehabs for at least the next six weeks, Justin Foscue could get opportunities there, too. Foscue was called up Tuesday and played 35 games at the hot corner while at Triple-A Round Rock in 2023.

Smith started at third base and went 1-for-2 in Tuesday's 5-2 loss to the Rays.

Smith made the first start at third base following the wrist injury suffered by Josh Jung during Monday's contest. Jung underwent surgery and is estimated to be out at least six weeks. With righty Zach Eflin on the mound for Tampa Bay, manager Bruce Bochy had the lefty-hitting Smith open the game, but the manager later had Ezequiel Duran pinch hit against lefty reliever Colin Poche and finish the game at third base. That suggests a platoon may be in the offing while Jung rehabs; however, Justin Foscue could enter the mix. He was called up from Triple-A Round Rock on Tuesday and played 35 games at third base in 2023.

Bichette (neck) will be back in the lineup for Tuesday's game in Houston, Ben Nicholson-Smith of Sportsnet.ca reports.

Bichette sat out the previous two contests with neck tightness, which he said made it difficult to turn and face the pitcher. However, the shortstop is feeling much better and is ready to give it a go Tuesday. Bichette is 2-for-12 with two RBI in his first three contests this season.

Baez is absent from the lineup for Tuesday's game versus the Mets.

Baez had started each of he Tigers' first four contests, going 3-for-16 with a 6:0 K:BB. Zach McKinstry will fill in at shortstop Tuesday and bat ninth.

DeJong is absent from Tuesday's lineup versus Atlanta.

DeJong is 1-for-9 with seven strikeouts on the young season, although that one hit was a home run. Braden Shewmake will fill in for DeJong at shortstop Tuesday.

Romero is on the injured list at High-A Greenville as he continues his rehabilitation from lower-back issues that cost him time in 2023, Jim Callis of MLB.com reports.

Romero shouldn't miss too much time, according to Callis. A first-round pick in 2022, Romero struggled at all three stops last year and would likely spend most, if not all, of his age-20 season at High-A once healthy.

Hampson stole a base as a pinch runner in Monday's 6-4 loss to the Orioles.

Hampson has played in three of the Royals' four games so far, but he hasn't started any of them. The 29-year-old offers speed and defensive versatility off the bench, a role that is more valuable on the field than in fantasy. He is hitless through four at-bats, so he'll need to show more with the bat to have any chance to carve out a larger role.

Wilson is expected to begin the 2024 season with Double-A Midland, Brendan Samson of MLB.com reports.

Wilson hit .438 with two doubles, one walk and one strikeout in 16 at-bats during big-league spring training. He slashed .318/.378/.455 with one home run, four steals and a 10.1 percent strikeout rate in 23 games at High-A last season. An extreme hit-over-power shortstop prospect, Wilson does not project to hit for double-digit homer power in the majors, but he has an excellent hit tool and projects as Oakland's shortstop of the future.

Grissom (groin/hamstring) could begin a minor-league rehab assignment next week, Ian Browne of MLB.com reports.

Boston manager Alex Cora said Grissom is ramping up back in camp at Fort Myers and will join the Red Sox for the home opener next Tuesday against the Orioles. The manager is hopeful Grissom can begin playing game shortly thereafter.

Pena went 2-for-3 with a solo home run, three RBI and a walk Monday against the Blue Jays.

Pena was one of three Astros to go deep and accounted for one of five long balls for the team. The hit ended a 77-game home-run drought, as he had failed to clear the fences since July 5. Pena worked on a new stance throughout the offseason in an effort to tap into more power, though he has only a .067 ISO in a very limited sample of 16 plate appearances to begin the new campaign.