MLB Player News

Smith went 1-for-4 with a solo home run in Friday's 13-1 loss to the Mariners.

Smith's ninth-inning blast off Troy Taylor kept the Rangers from getting shut out, but that was about the only positive they could take from the game. Smith had gone just 5-for-28 (.179) over nine contests since his last homer against the Athletics on April 22. The utility player has slowed down a bit but still has a .296/.380/.457 slash line over 93 plate appearances this season. He's added three homers, seven RBI, 14 runs scored, four stolen bases and four doubles in 27 games.

Betts went 2-for-4 with a solo home run and an additional run scored in Friday's 2-1 win over Atlanta.

Betts extended his hitting streak to five games Friday, which also includes a three-game multi-hit streak, and he ended a 13-game homerless drought. The star shortstop now has eight multi-hit games under his belt in 2025. Across his last eight contests, Betts is batting .324 (11-for-34) with a double, 10 RBI and 10 runs scored.

Witt went 0-for-4 with two strikeouts in Friday's 3-0 loss to the Orioles.

Witt's strikeout in his final at-bat of Friday's game halted a 22-game hitting streak, tied for seventh longest in Royals history. Witt is having another All-Star-caliber season and ranks in the top five in the American League in doubles (12), hits (39), stolen bases (nine) and batting average (.312).

Kiner-Falefa (lower body) is out of the lineup for Friday's game against the Padres.

The 30-year-old was forced to the bench Thursday due to the lower-body issue after a run of nine straight starts, and he remains out of the starting nine Friday. Jared Triolo will receive another start at shortstop in place of Kiner-Falefa.

The Rangers recalled Ornelas from Triple-A Round Rock on Friday.

The 24-year-old will fill the roster spot of Nick Ahmed, who was designated for assignment Friday. Ornelas will provide some infield depth with Corey Seager (hamstring) on the injured list, but it'll be Josh Smith operating as the regular shortstop.

The Rangers designated Ahmed for assignment Friday.

Ahmed's removal from the 40-man roster clears a spot for the addition of Blaine Crim. The veteran shortstop is hitless in 10 plate appearances during his time with the big club this season.

Pirates manager Derek Shelton said Friday that Kiner-Falefa has been dealing with a lower-body injury, Noah Hiles of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.

It helps explain why Kiner-Falefa was not in the lineup for Thursday's game versus the Cubs. Consider the infielder day-to-day for the time being. With Kiner-Falefa banged up, Liover Peguero was recalled from Triple-A Indianapolis on Friday as middle-infield protection.

Perdomo will start at shortstop and bat ninth in Friday's game against the Phillies.

Perdomo batted either first or second in all of his starts since April 5 after Ketel Marte (hamstring) went on the injured list, but with Marte back and batting leadoff Friday, Perdomo has returned to the bottom of the order. The switch hitter is batting .275/.387/.459 with five homers and seven stolen bases this season.

The Pirates recalled Peguero from Triple-A Indianapolis on Friday.

Peguero, 24, has slashed .258/.309/.382 with one home run and three stolen bases this season with Indianapolis. He'll likely operate in a utility infielder role for Pittsburgh.

Neto went 1-for-4 with a run and a stolen base in a loss to Detroit on Thursday.

Neto extended his hitting streak to seven games with a third-inning single, and he subsequently stole second base before being driven in by a Jorge Soler homer. Neto got a late start to the campaign due to a shoulder injury and initially batted seventh in the order, but he soon moved up to the No. 2 slot and has now batted leadoff for the Halos in three straight games. He's hit well in his 12 contests so far this season, slashing .283/.313/.565 with three home runs, six RBI, seven runs and four stolen bases.