MLB Player News

Diaz will take a seat Wednesday versus the Guardians.

Diaz will get a breather after starting the first five games of season, going 3-for-19 with an RBI and a run scored over those contests. Nick Allen will draw the start at shortstop and bat eighth in Wednesday's series finale with Cleveland.

Smith (face) is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Orioles.

The Rangers have an off day Thursday, so Smith will effectively get at least two more days to heal up from a swollen jaw as well as the six stitches he required on his face after being hit by a pitch in Monday's 2-0 loss to the Orioles. Ezequiel Duran will spell Smith in left field for the second game in a row.

Baez is not in the starting lineup for Wednesday's series finale against the Astros.

Baez will take a seat after starting the Tigers' first five games of the year, going 2-for-20 with one RBI and one run scored while striking out five times. The 30-year-old saw his strikeout percentage drop from 33.7 percent in 2021 to 24.9 percent in 2022 and it appears that his discipline at the plate is closer to his 2022 form early this season. Ryan Kreidler will take over at shortstop and bat ninth Wednesday versus Houston.

Mateo went 2-for-4 with a two-run home run and an additional run in Tuesday's victory over Texas.

Mateo chased Andrew Heaney with a two-run homer in the third that helped Texas build a 7-1 lead. That's the second homer in as many days for the infielder, who also has already stolen four bases over the first five games. It goes without saying, but more play like this will help Mateo stick as the starting shortstop for Baltimore in 2023.

Story (elbow) started work with a plyometric ball in preparation to begin a throwing program within the next two weeks, Jen McCaffrey of The Athletic reports.

Story is 12 weeks removed from an internal bracing procedure, which is a modified version of Tommy John surgery designed to repair and reinforce the elbow ligaments. He's been running to keep in shape and has now added the plyo ball, which is a rubber ball that will build arm strength before Story cuts loose with a baseball. In addition to running and plyo ball work, Story has been taking grounders without throwing every other day. He's at least a few months away from returning.

Fletcher is hitting ninth and playing shortstop for Tuesday's game against Seattle, Jeff Fletcher of The Orange County Register reports.

With Anthony Rendon serving the second game of his suspension, Luis Rengifo moves over to third base and Fletcher gets the start at shortstop against Luis Castillo.

Smith received six stitches and has some swelling in his jaw but is not in much pain after being hit in the face by a pitch Monday, Evan Grant of The Dallas Morning News reports.

It was a scary incident when Smith was hit by a Danny Coulombe pitch, but he managed to avoid a serious injury. Smith is considered day-to-day.

Duran is starting in left field for the Rangers in Tuesday's game versus the Orioles.

It will be just the second start in the majors in the outfield for Duran, who usually plays on the dirt. He could be due for an uptick in playing time in left if Josh Smith (face) needs to miss some time.

Bichette went 2-for-5 with a solo home run in Monday's loss to the Royals.

Remarkably, it's the first home run of the season for a Blue Jays team that was one of only seven last year to launch 200 or more. Bichette's had a great start at the plate, going 8-for-19 (.421) with a double, two RBI and three runs scored in addition to Monday's blast, and the 25-year-old shortstop will look to take his production to another level in 2023 after slashing a combined .294/.338/.477 over the last two seasons with 53 homers and 38 steals.

Chang is starting at second base and hitting ninth for the Red Sox on Tuesday versus the Pirates.

He's filling in for Christian Arroyo, who is getting a day off. Chang will square off against Roansy Contreras in what will be his first start of the season.