The Rangers placed Smith on the paternity list Friday.

Smith didn't travel with the team for the Rangers' final series of the regular season as he awaits the birth of his child. Friday's move opens up a spot on the active roster for Donovan Solano, who's been recalled from Triple-A Round Rock. Smith can remain on the paternity list through Sunday's regular-season finale.

Pena (oblique) is out of the lineup for Friday's game against the Angels, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports.

Pena is working through a strained left oblique that has caused him pain while taking mild swings. It's unclear if the Astros are contemplating putting Pena on the injured list, but the shortstop has been out of the lineup for five consecutive games.

Smith didn't travel with the Rangers to Cleveland for personal reasons, Jeff Wilson of AllDLLS.com reports.

Smith and his wife are expecting a child, and Smith didn't travel with the team as he awaits the new addition to his family. The Rangers have already been eliminated from postseason eligibility, so it wouldn't be surprising to see Smith sit out the final few games.

Smith is not in the lineup for Friday's contest in Cleveland.

Smith returned to play the last two games after missing a couple days with an elbow infection, but he'll begin Friday's game on the bench. Ezequiel Duran will handle shortstop and bat fifth.

Bichette (knee) has been swinging a bat and throwing, but a timetable for when he'll begin a running progression is unclear, Ben Nicholson-Smith of Sportsnet.ca reports.

Bichette has been sidelined for the past three weeks with a PCL sprain in his left knee. The Blue Jays remain hopeful that they will get their shortstop back at some point during the postseason, but when exactly that will happen and in what capacity will remain a mystery until he's able to ramp up his running. Until then, Andres Gimenez will continue to fill in at shortstop.

Witt went 4-for-5 with two doubles, one RBI and two runs scored in Thursday's 9-4 win over the Angels.

Witt continues to wield a hot bat -- he has gone 16-for-45 (.356) over his last 10 games, a span that includes six multi-hit efforts. Eight of his knocks in that span have gone for extra bases. The shortstop is up to a .296/.352/.504 slash line with 23 home runs, 85 RBI, 99 runs scored, 37 stolen bases, 46 doubles and six triples across 154 contests this season.

Baez (neck) will start at shortstop and bat ninth Thursday against the Guardians.

Baez sat out the Tigers' last two games while dealing with neck stiffness, but he'll return in time to start a pivotal contest against Cleveland in the race for the AL Central title. The 32-year-old has been struggling offensively since the beginning of the month, going just 3-for-27 (.111) and posting a .323 OPS over 12 games.

Pena (oblique) isn't in the lineup for Thursday's game against the Athletics, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.

Thursday imaging revealed Pena suffered a strain in his left oblique that has been causing him pain while taking mild swings, per Chandler Rome of The Athletic, which could be enough for the Astros to consider placing him on the injured list. In the meantime, Mauricio Dubon will receive another start at shortstop Thursday and bat ninth.

Pena (oblique) isn't in the lineup for Wednesday's game versus the Athletics.

Pena will sit on the bench for a third straight game since being taken out of Sunday's lineup with a sore left oblique. Carlos Correa will slide over to shortstop to cover for Pena, allowing Ramon Urias to pick up a start at third base.

Hernaiz isn't in the lineup for Wednesday's game versus Houston.

Hernaiz will grab a seat on the bench Wednesday after going 1-for-13 over his last four games. His absence will allow Max Schuemann to start at the keystone and bat seventh.