MLB Player News

The Rangers placed Smith on the 10-day injured list Tuesday with a right glute strain.

It's unclear when Smith was injured, as he played all nine innings of the Rangers' last game Sunday against the Tigers. He will be eligible for activation May 15, though the club did not reveal a timetable for Smith's return to action. Ezequiel Duran will serve as the Rangers' primary second baseman while Smith is shelved.

Muncy (hand) has yet to resume baseball activities, Martin Gallegos of MLB.com reports.

Muncy is a week removed from being placed on the 10-day injured list with a fractured fifth metacarpal in his left hand. It's unclear when he might be ready to resume baseball activities. Muncy is eligible for activation Wednesday, but there's no announced timetable for his return.

Allen (back) went 2-for-7 with a double, two walks, three runs and two RBI while playing in a pair of rehab games with Double-A Corpus Christi over the weekend.

Houston placed Allen on the 10-day injured list April 20 after he began experiencing mid-back spasms, but he should be ready to rejoin the big club by the middle of May. He's expected to continue his rehab assignment through the end of the week, though it's unclear whether he'll stick around with Corpus Christi or move to a different affiliate.

The Tigers signed DeJong to a minor-league contract Tuesday, Jon Heyman of the New York Post reports.

DeJong opted out of his minor-league deal with the Yankees last week after slashing .203/.361/.516 with six home runs and a 16:18 BB:K in 23 games at Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre. With Javier Baez (ankle) on the injured list and Gleyber Torres (side) also banged up, DeJong could get a look with the big club sooner rather than later.

Crawford went 1-for-3 with a two-run homer and a pair of walks in Monday's 5-4 win over Atlanta.

Crawford put the Mariners ahead for good Monday with his two-run blast off Tyler Kinley in the sixth inning, his third homer of the year. The long ball extended Crawford's hitting streak to six games -- he's gone 7-for-23 (.304) with a pair of home runs and a 1.013 OPS in that span, boosting his slash line to .208/.367/.333 across 120 plate appearances this season.

Whitcomb was optioned to Triple-A Sugar Land on Monday, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.

The Astros needed to promote a catcher ahead of Monday's game against the Dodgers after Yainer Diaz (abdomen) was a late scratch, and Whitcomb will end up being the roster casualty. Whitcomb has struggled to a .077 average with one home run, three RBI and one run scored through 10 games this season.

Pena (hamstring) could begin a rehab assignment this weekend, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports.

Pena has been shelved since mid-April with a Grade 1 right hamstring strain but appears nearly ready to test himself in a game setting. Since his absence has been relatively brief, Pena shouldn't require an extended rehab assignment before returning to the Astros' active roster.

Blue Jays manager John Schneider said Monday that Barger (ankles) being activated from the 10-day injured list on Friday would be a "worst-case scenario,"Mitch Bannon of The Athletic reports.

Barger slugged a home run in his first rehab game with Single-A Dunedin on Sunday and will suit up for the affiliate once again Tuesday. He could rejoin the Blue Jays after that and be activated as soon as Wednesday, but a return Friday for the start of a homestand seems likelier. Barger has been sidelined since early April after spraining both of his ankles.

The Astros activated Dezenzo (elbow) from the 10-day injured list Monday and optioned him to Triple-A Sugar Land.

Dezenzo got a late start to the season after suffering a right elbow sprain during the World Baseball Classic while playing for Team Italy. He's gone 8-for-27 with one home run and a 7:7: BB:K in eight rehab games, and the Astros have elected to keep him in the minors rather than put him back on the major-league roster.

Alexander will start at third base and bat ninth in Monday's game against the Yankees.

Alexander will stick in the lineup for the fourth straight game at his fourth different position, after previously making starts at second base, center field and shortstop. The Orioles will likely continue to make room for Alexander in the lineup versus left-handed pitching, but his opportunities to start against righties may be more sporadic while he maintains a weak .472 OPS over 80 plate appearances on the season.