MLB Player News

Smith (back) went 2-for-4 with a double, a solo home run and an additional run in Triple-A Las Vegas' loss to Albuquerque on Wednesday.

Smith's batting line was certainly noteworthy, but equally important was the fact he played a full game at shortstop after logging seven innings at second base Tuesday. Assuming Smith doesn't experience any residual effects from playing defense in back-to-back rehab games for the first time, he could be deemed ready for activation before week's end.

Duran remains out of the lineup Thursday versus the White Sox.

Duran sat Wednesday in favor of Mitch Garver getting a turn at designated hitter, and it'll be Corey Seager filling the DH role for the Rangers in Thursday's matinee. Josh Smith is playing shortstop. Seager's swift return from a thumb sprain could continue to muddy Duran's path toward regular playing time.

Volpe went 3-for-4 with a two-run home run and a stolen base in Wednesday's 7-2 win over the Rays.

After Wander Franco gave Tampa Bay a 2-0 lead in the first inning with a homer, New York's rookie shortstop responded in kind, getting the Yankees on the board in the third by taking Shane McClanahan (forearm) deep. Volpe's begun to look a little more comfortable since the All-Star break, slashing .256/.333/.395 over his last 14 games, and while his .671 OPS on the season is disappointing, the 22-year-old has added 14 homers and 20 steals in 108 contests.

Franco went 1-for-4 with a two-run home run in Wednesday's 7-2 loss to the Yankees.

The shortstop took Gerrit Cole deep in the first inning, but it was all the offense the Rays could muster. Franco has now homered three times in the last five games while hitting safely in six straight, batting .348 (8-for-23) over that stretch with a steal, four RBI, seven runs and a 4:2 BB:K as he shows signs of recapturing his blistering early-season form.

Seager went 2-for-4 with a two-run home run and an additional RBI in an 11-1 victory versus the White Sox on Wednesday.

Seager came off a stay on the 10-day injured list due to a sprained right thumb and showed right away that the injury is no longer an issue, drilling a two-run shot in his first at-bat. The shortstop followed with a run-scoring single in the second inning to set off an offensive explosion by the Rangers. The only thing capable of slowing down Seager this season appears to be his health. He's played in only 66 games due to injuries, but he's been a powerhouse when in the lineup, slashing .352/.414/.640 with 16 homers, 29 doubles, 61 RBI, 49 runs and a stolen base over 302 plate appearances.

Witt went 2-for-4 with one RBI and one stolen base in Wednesday's 4-0 win over the Mets.

The steal was Witt's 30th of the campaign, matching his total as a rookie from last season. The shortstop has gone 12-for-23 (.522) with 11 RBI over his last five contests. The productive stretch has him up to a .264/.302/.464 slash line with 18 home runs, 62 RBI, 56 runs scored, 19 doubles and seven triples through 107 contests.

Red Sox manager Alex Cora said Wednesday that Story (elbow) won't be activated off the 60-day injured list Friday, Chris Cotillo of The Springfield Republican reports.

Story expressed a desire to remain with Triple-A Worcester and continue rehabbing, so he'll take another couple of days to gear up for his season debut. The 30-year-old infielder is currently slashing .250/.400/.688 through six games in Triple-A during his assignment.

Diaz is not in the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Dodgers.

Diaz is 2-for-16 over his past seven games and will take a seat for Wednesday's matchup with Los Angeles. Jordan Diaz will start at the hot corner and bat sixth for the A's.

Seager (thumb) was activated from the 10-day injured list Wednesday, Evan Grant of The Dallas Morning News reports.

Seager will skip a minor-league rehab assignment and jump right back into the Rangers' starting lineup Wednesday night against the White Sox after what was close to a minimum IL stint for a sprained right thumb. When healthy this season, the 29-year-old shortstop has posted a robust .350/.413/.631 batting line with 15 home runs, 29 doubles and 58 RBI across 66 games.

Duran is not in the lineup for Wednesday's game versus the White Sox.

Duran takes a seat after going 0-for-3 with two strikeouts Tuesday night against Chicago. Travis Jankowski, Leody Taveras and Adolis Garcia will start across the outfield for the Rangers on Wednesday, with Mitch Garver filling the designated hitter role. Sam Huff is catching.