MLB Player News

Valera (calf) is building up to physically handle playing multiple days per week, MLB.com reports.

Valera made his third appearance for Triple-A Columbus on Saturday, playing on back-to-back days for the first time on his rehab stint. That makes three games over four days for the outfielder. Valera is 4-for-13 (.308) with a double, a home run, two walks and three RBI since beginning the assignment, and he appears close to making his season debut for Cleveland.

Montgomery isn't in the White Sox's starting lineup Sunday versus Toronto.

Montgomery started each of Chicago's first eight games this season, posting a .207/.303/.414 slash line with two home runs, six RBI and a stolen base. Of his starts, six came at shortstop and two at third base. Miguel Vargas is at the hot corner for the White Sox on Sunday, while Tanner Murray -- who was called up prior to the contest -- will be making his major-league debut at shortstop against southpaw Eric Lauer.

Smith started at second base and went 0-for-3 with a walk in Saturday's 2-0 loss to Cincinnati.

Smith is finally getting a stable position to play after serving as a super-utility player the last few seasons with Texas. Unfortunately, his impressive spring training (1.127 OPS, four HR) has not yet carried over into the regular season. Smith is 3-for-24 (.125) with one RBI and one steal over seven starts.

Smith went 1-for-1 with a solo home run in Saturday's 11-0 win over the A's.

Despite starting the game on the bench for the first time this season, Smith put the finishing touches on Houston's blowout victory, launching his second homer of the year off Luis Medina in the eighth after entering the game as a defensive replacement the inning prior. The 23-year-old Smith has been swinging the bat well, logging at least one hit in his last five games. He's gone 6-for-15 with three extra-base hits in that span.

The Twins recalled Acton from Triple-A St. Paul on Sunday.

Minnesota acquired Acton in a trade with Miami on Thursday, and the right-hander will quickly get a chance to show the Twins what he can do. Acton worked just one MLB game last year while with the Rays, walking two batters in a hitless and scoreless inning, and he posted a 4:1 K:BB over two outings spanning 2.1 frames this season in the minors before being called up. In a corresponding roster move. Zak Kent was optioned to St. Paul.

Alvarez went 1-for-1 with an RBI, a run scored and four walks in Saturday's 11-0 rout over the A's.

Alvarez's four walks matched a career high, as the slugger continues to reach base at a prolific rate in the early going -- his OBP is up to .590 through his first nine games. Through 39 plate appearances, Alvarez is 11-for-26 with three home runs, eight RBI and an eye-popping 1.475 OPS.

Latz struck out two over a scoreless seventh inning in Saturday's 2-0 loss to the Reds.

Latz, who made a fill-in start for Jacob deGrom last week, has seamlessly transitioned to the bullpen. Saturday's outing was his second straight scoreless relief appearance. The Rangers are concerned with the left-hander's ability to get deep into games as a starter, but Latz could be effective in shorter bursts.

The Twins optioned Kent to Triple-A St. Paul on Sunday.

Kent has pitched in two games for Minnesota this season, allowing two earned runs on four hits (including two homers) while posting a 2:5 K:BB over 3.2 innings. He's struggled with his control in the minors and majors, so he may be asked to focus on that aspect of his game while with St. Paul. Right-handed pitcher Garrett Acton was called up from Triple-A in a corresponding move.

Teng threw 2.1 scoreless innings in Saturday's 11-0 win over the A's, allowing two hits while striking out three.

Teng has gotten off to a nice start this season, allowing just one run on four hits and one walk over 5.2 innings in his first three appearances. Teng, who posted a 6.37 ERA across 29.2 innings in a swingman role with the Giants last season, earned a spot in Houston's Opening Day bullpen as Bennett Sousa (oblique), Enyel De Los Santos (knee), Nate Pearson (elbow) and Josh Hader (biceps) all opened the year on the IL.

The White Sox recalled Murray from Triple-A Charlotte on Sunday.

Outfielder Everson Pereira (ankle) landed on the 10-day IL on Sunday, and Murray was summoned from Charlotte to take his place. Murray is a super-utility type who has seen action all over the infield and in the outfield during his time in the minors. He had a nice spring with a .952 OPS, two homers, seven RBI and one stolen base for the big club and was slashing .304/.467/.606 with two homers, seven RBI and two thefts across six games at Triple-A prior to being recalled. Murray is starting at shortstop and batting seventh in what will be his MLB debut Sunday.