MLB Player News

Bogaerts went 1-for-2 with two walks and a two-run home run in Saturday's 9-5 loss to the Rays.

He took Ryan Yarbrough deep in the first inning, helping Boston to an early 3-0 lead that quickly evaporated. It's the shortstop's first homer since the All-Star break and 16th of the season, a good sign that his wrist is feeling better, but Bogaerts is slashing only .220/.292/.341 to begin the second half.

Franco, who went 2-for-4 with a two-run double, a triple and a run in a win over the Red Sox on Friday, owns a .303/.361/.424 slash line over the 36 plate appearances covering his last eight games.

Arguably just as important is the fact Franco has struck out at a modest 16.7 percent rate in that sample after carrying a more elevated 22.7 percent figure in his first 20 big-league contests. The more consistent contact lends credence to the notion the phenom is quickly adapting to the intricacies of facing big-league arms, just as he did at every minor-league stop during his meteoric rise through the organizational ranks.

Diaz went 2-for-5 with a solo home run and an additional run scored in Friday's 9-6 win over San Franciso.

Diaz's solo shot in the ninth gave Houston breathing room, as the Giants did not fold after falling behind 7-2 in the sixth inning. He's had multiple hits in all three games since being activated off the injured list and will continue as the fill-in at third base for the injured Alex Bregman (quadriceps).

Bichette went 2-for-4 with a two-run home run, a second run scored and a stolen base in Friday's 6-4 win over the Royals.

The young shortstop capped the scoring on the night for the Jays by taking Domingo Tapia the other way in the seventh inning. Bichette has been on fire lately, posting four multi-hit performances in the last seven games while slashing .423/.500/.808 with three homers and three steals. On the season, he's batting .298 with 19 home runs, 16 stolen bases, 71 RBI and 81 runs through 100 games.

Wendle isn't starting Friday's game against the Red Sox, Neil Solondz of the Rays Radio Network reports.

Wendle will take a seat with left-hander Martin Perez on the mound for Boston. Yandy Diaz will start at third base and bat fourth.

Anderson will sit Thursday against the Royals.

This appears to be nothing more than a routine day off for the star shortstop. Danny Mendick will slide over to the position in his absence, with Andrew Vaughn starting at second base.

Wendle will sit Thursday against the Yankees, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Wendle hits the bench even with the right-handed Gerrit Cole on the mound for the Yankees. Yandy Diaz gets the start at third base.

Diaz went 2-for-5 with a double and three RBI in Wednesday's 11-4 win over the Mariners.

Diaz continues to fill in for the injured Alex Bregman (quadriceps), who remains on a rehab assignment that should run through next week. In the two games since coming off his own stay on the injured list, Diaz has four hits, two doubles, four RBI and two runs over 11 plate appearances.

Smith will be traded from the Yankees to the Rangers along with Trevor Hauver, Ezequiel Duran and Glenn Otto in exchange for Joey Gallo and Joely Rodriguez, Bryan Hoch of MLB.com reports.

Smith has spent the 2021 campaign with both Low-A Hudson Valley and High-A Tampa. He has experienced success at both levels, though that should be expected given that he is nearly 24. It's possible the Rangers push him to Double-A, which should provide a more realistic idea of his future potential.

Duran will be traded by the Yankees to the Rangers along with Trevor Hauver, Josh Smith and Glenn Otto in exchange for Joely Rodriguez and Joey Gallo, Bryan Hoch of MLB.com reports.

Duran has spent the 2021 season with High-A Hudson Valley and experienced plenty of success. He's maintained a .290/.374/.533 line -- good for a 141 wRC+ -- while striking out a 23.9 percent clip and walking 9.4 percent of the time. Though he won't reach the majors for a few seasons, Duran should be considered among the Rangers' better middle-infield prospects.