MLB Player News

Smith was scratched from the Athletics' lineup Friday.

It's unknown why Smith was taken out of the A's lineup, but Aledmys Diaz will take Smith's place at shortstop and bat seventh.

Duran isn't in the Rangers' lineup Friday against the Blue Jays.

Duran is 0-for-9 across his last three games and will sit Friday to regroup. Travis Jankowski will start in left field in Duran's place and bat eighth.

Mateo went 2-for-4 with two stolen bases in Thursday's 4-2 win over the Blue Jays.

This was Mateo's second two-steal game in his last five contests. He's seen his playing time drop a bit lately due to a 12-for-47 stretch over his last 16 games. The shortstop is still one of the top speed options in baseball with 20 steals on 23 attempts, but he's struggled to a .234/.276/.372 slash line with six home runs, 25 RBI and 34 runs scored over 60 games.

Baez went 2-for-5 with a triple, two RBI and two runs scored in Thursday's win over the Twins.

Baez has mostly struggled this season, though he still has the ability to pop for big games like he did Thursday. The shortstop has been heating up lately as well, as he now has hits in five straight games and has batted .348 during that span. Baez is still hitting just .231 for the season with a .598 OPS, but his recent stretch is promising.

The Angels recalled Velazquez from Triple-A Salt Lake on Thursday.

With the placement of Zach Neto (oblique) on the 10-day injured list, the Angels will call on Velazquez as Neto's replacement. The 28-year-old shortstop has yet to play in the majors this season, but he is slashing .203/.337/.392 across 92 plate appearances in Triple-A. Velazquez will compete with Gio Urshela (back) and Luis Rengifo for time at shortstop while Neto is out.

The Angels placed Neto on the 10-day injured list Thursday with a left oblique strain.

Neto felt something in his side after making a warmup throw in the first inning of Wednesday's game and had to be removed. The 22-year-old shortstop will now be shelved for at least 10 days, and Andrew Velazquez will be recalled from Triple-A Salt Lake to take Neto's place on the roster.

Duran isn't in the Rangers' lineup Thursday against the Angels.

Duran is just 1-for-11 with a home run during Texas' series with the Angels and will sit out Thursday's finale. Travis Jankowski will replace Duran in left field and bat eighth.

Pena (illness) is starting at shortstop and batting sixth Thursday against the Nationals.

Pena's illness kept him out of the lineup for three games, but the 25-year-old shortstop has now recovered and is ready to go Thursday. Pena was slashing .292/.320/.375 across his last five games prior to getting sick.

Barger (elbow) began a rehab assignment June 8 and has gone 1-for-10 with three walks and a run over four games between the Blue Jays' rookie-level Florida Complex League affiliate and Single-A Dunedin.

Before starting his rehab assignment, Barger hadn't played since April 28 due to the right elbow, so he may require a few more games in the lower levels of the minors to get his timing back at the plate before he returns from Triple-A Buffalo's 7-day injured list. Barger slashed .237/.333/.329 with an 11.6 percent walk rate and 31 percent strikeout rate in 87 plate appearances at Buffalo prior to being shut down with the injury.

Witt went 3-for-5 with one RBI and one run scored in Wednesday's 7-4 loss to the Reds.

Witt has maintained a hot bat in June, hitting .319 (15-for-47) over his last 12 games. He's driven in four runs over his last four contests as well. While a .244 batting average and .707 OPS aren't all that impressive, the talented shortstop is showing a few more flashes of potential lately. He's added 11 home runs, 21 stolen bases, 31 RBI and 40 runs scored over 67 contests this season.