MLB Player News

Smith left Monday's game against the Astros early due to a knee contusion, Martin Gallegos of MLB.com reports.

According to Gallegos, Smith likely suffered the injury on a diving attempt near the dugout, but he appears to have avoided any significant damage. Oakland manager Mark Kotsay stated after the game that he expects Smith to be available for the second game of the series Tuesday.

Smith exited Monday's game against the Astros in the bottom of the sixth inning due to an apparent injury, Martin Gallegos of MLB.com reports.

The Athletics were held without a hit for the first five innings of Monday's matchup, but Smith led off the bottom of the sixth inning with a double. However, the 25-year-old slowed down as he headed into second base and left the game with a trainer. The exact nature and severity of his injury aren't yet clear.

Correa tested positive for COVID-19 on Monday, Audra Martin of Bally Sports North reports.

Correa wasn't in the lineup for Monday's matchup against the Tigers, and the Twins found out during the game that the shortstop had tested positive for COVID-19. Since Royce Lewis (knee) was placed on the 10-day injured list Monday, Correa's absence will leave Minnesota particularly shorthanded at shortstop. Jorge Polanco, Nick Gordon and Jose Miranda should be in the mix for additional playing time while Correa is away from the team.

Smith's contract was selected by the Rangers on Monday, Kennedi Landry of MLB.com reports.

Smith is among the Rangers' top prospects, and he was promoted to Triple-A Round Rock to begin the 2022 season. Over 40 games at Round Rock, he slashed .273/.382/.422 with four homers, 30 runs, 29 RBI and eight stolen bases. While the 24-year-old displayed slightly decreased power abilities at the Triple-A level this year, he struck out just 20.4 percent of the time and has decent power and speed potential. Smith is a middle infielder, but he's also played at third base and in center field this year. He's expected to be in the starting lineup for Monday's series opener against the Rays.

Correa is on the bench for Monday's contest against the Tigers, Aaron Gleeman of The Athletic reports.

Correa will get a day off after playing seven straight games, producing 10 hits including two doubles and a homer in those contests. Jorge Polanco will slide over to shortstop and bat third in Monday's matchup with the Tigers.

Bichette went 2-for-6 with a solo home run and an additional run scored in Sunday's 11-10 win over the Angels.

Bichette posted his fourth multi-hit game in his last five contests, and he's had an extra-base hit in each one. He delivered a big one Sunday, hitting a game-tying solo shot in the eighth inning to knot the score at 10-10. The shortstop's surge has him up to a .253/.285/.419 slash line with seven homers, 24 RBI, 23 runs scored, 12 doubles and four stolen bases through 207 plate appearances.

Seager went 1-for-4 with a solo home run and a walk in Sunday's 6-5 loss to the Athletics.

Seager went 0-for-9 in the first two games of this series against the A's, but he went 4-for-8 with a pair of homers and a double in the most recent two contests. The shortstop's lone hit Sunday came in the first inning. He's up to 10 homers, 23 RBI, 23 runs scored and a pair of stolen bases while maintaining a .237/.306/.435 slash line in 196 plate appearances this year.

Pena went 1-for-4 with a solo home run in Sunday's 2-1 win over the Mariners.

Pena went deep off Mariners starter Marco Gonzales in the second inning. That was Pena's fourth homer in May and his eighth long ball of the year. The shortstop has been steady with a .290/.340/.510 slash line, 23 RBI, 22 runs scored, three stolen bases, six doubles and a triple through 159 plate appearances in his first big-league season.

Anderson (groin) will require a trip to the injured list, Scott Merkin of MLB.com reports.

Anderson sustained a right groin strain while fielding a grounder up the middle during Sunday's win over the Cubs, and he had to be helped off the field. While manager Tony La Russa doesn't yet know the severity of the 28-year-old's injury, La Russa said that the shortstop will "for sure" require a trip to the injured list. Leury Garcia and Danny Mendick should see additional playing time at shortstop while Anderson is sidelined.

Anderson was diagnosed with a strained right groin after exiting Sunday's game against the Cubs.

The 28-year-old suffered the injury while fielding a grounder up the middle during the fifth inning Sunday, and he needed assistance leaving the field. Anderson will be further evaluated Monday, and there's a decent possibility he requires a stint on the injured list.