MLB Player News

Smith went 1-for-2 with a three-run home run in an extra-inning win over the Angels on Monday.

The Athletics' offense finally had a breakout night in the new season, and Smith followed teammates Brent Rooker and Jesus Aguilar in leaving the yard early in the contest. Rooker's 385-foot shot to left in the second inning was the most productive of the three early round trippers, as it plated Aledmys Diaz and Carlos Perez to push Oakland's lead to 5-0 at the time. Smith has now hit safely in four consecutive starts, slowly crawling out of an early-season hole at the plate that is responsible for his slash line still sitting at an abysmal .186/.186/.279, even when factoring in recent success.

Marcano will start at second base and bat second in Tuesday's game against the Dodgers.

Marcano is making his third consecutive start at the keystone after he went 3-for-7 with a double in the final two contests of the Pirates' series with the Reds this past weekend. With Bryan Reynolds (personal) on the bereavement list and set to miss a second straight game Tuesday, Ji Hwan Bae has moved to the outfield, which has opened up second base for Marcano. Once Reynolds is reinstated, Marcano is a likely candidate to move back into a utility role and see his opportunities take a hit.

Barrero is not in the lineup Tuesday against the Rangers.

Kevin Newman will get the start at shortstop and bat sixth versus the Rangers and left-hander Martin Perez. Barrero is slashing just .228/.308/.316 through 65 plate appearances this year for the Reds, though it's not like Newman has been any better.

Tovar went 1-for-4 with two RBI on Monday against the Guardians.

Tovar delivered a two-RBI single in the fourth inning to put the Rockies up 3-0. That was his lone hit of the game, but he did not strike out for the first time in his last five starts. Tovar is riding a very modest two-game hitting streak, but that's a positive sign after he went just 2-for-24 with a 34.5 percent strikeout rate across his prior eight games. Overall, he's hitting .194 with seven RBI and four extra-base hits across 77 plate appearances.

Franco went 4-for-5 with two doubles, two runs scored, an RBI and a stolen base in Monday's 8-3 win over Houston.

The 22-year-old shortstop didn't just dominate offensively either, as he made an incredible barehanded catch on a dead sprint into foul territory that required him to cover 96 feet in a little over five seconds. Franco is emerging as a superstar in 2023, slashing .318/.388/.580 through 22 games with four homers, five steals, 13 runs and 14 RBI, and the only thing standing between him and a potential 30-30 campaign could be his ability to stay healthy.

Pena went 1-for-4 with a solo home run in Monday's 8-3 loss to the Rays.

The shortstop took rookie Taj Bradley deep in the third inning, briefly giving the Astros their last lead of the game at 3-2. Pena has had trouble stringing together hits so far this season, slashing just .217/.280/.413 through 23 games, but he's maintained solid fantasy production with four homers, six steals, 13 RBI and 16 runs. The RBI on Monday was his first in the last four games, and he's struck out six times over that span.

Wendle (intercostal) hopes to begin a rehab assignment this week, MLB.com reports.

Wendle went through a full workout Monday, including hitting off the pitching machine. The infielder has missed the last three weeks with a right intercostal strain but appears poised to return within the next week or so.

Duran went 3-for-4 with a double, a stolen base and a run scored in Monday's 7-6 loss to the Reds.

Duran, who made a second consecutive start at shortstop, extended his hitting streak to six games, during which he's 10-for-22 with four extra-base hits, six RBI, four runs and his first stolen base of the season. Duran (against lefties) and Josh Smith (righties) are holding down shortstop while Corey Seager works his way back from a hamstring injury. Seager, who initiated baseball activities Monday, is not due back until mid-May.

Seager (hamstring) played catch and took swings Monday, Evan Grant of the Dallas Morning News reports.

This was the first activity of any kind for Seager, who suffered a hamstring injury April 11 and landed on the injured list. He was given a recovery time of a month, putting him in line to return mid-May.

Perdomo batted leadoff and went 2-for-4 with a walk and an RBI in Monday's 5-4 win over the Royals.

Perdomo, who typically hits out of the bottom third of the order, was in the leadoff position for the first time in his MLB career. Hitting leadoff against a right-handed starter is typically Josh Rojas' domain, but he was given a day off after 15 consecutive starts. Perdomo has earned a chance to bat higher; the young shortstop entered the game with a .381 average and .409 OBP over his last six games. He's currently second on the roster in OBP (.446) and walks (six).