MLB Player News

Smith went 2-for-5 with a walk, a solo home run and two additional runs scored in Friday's 3-1 win over the White Sox.

Smith led off innings in his first three plate appearances and scored runs in all three. The two-hit effort extended a multi-hit streak to five games, during which he's gone 10-for-23 with two walks, two doubles, two homers, four RBI and seven runs scored. The versatile Smith has served as the DH, shortstop, first baseman and third baseman over his last six starts.

Jeffers is not in the starting lineup for Saturday's game against the Astros.

Jeffers will begin the matchup on the bench after making consecutive starts behind the plate Thursday and Friday. Christian Vazquez is starting at catcher and batting ninth.

Schneemann started at second base and went 0-for-4 in Friday's 7-2 loss to Seattle.

Schneemann made his first start in five games, and Friday marked the first time in five games that the Guardians faced a right-hander. He's doing better against righties (.802 OPS) than southpaws (.526), so he should continue to serve on the strong side of a platoon, though Schneemann has recently struggled, going 14-for-72 (.194) over his last 23 contests.

Lewis (hamstring) isn't in the starting lineup for Saturday's matchup versus Houston.

This was the expected outcome after Lewis left Friday's game in the ninth inning and was later diagnosed with a left hamstring strain. Manager Rocco Baldelli indicated after the contest that the team is going to run more tests on Lewis on Saturday, so a clearer picture of how much time the young slugger is slated to miss could emerge shortly. Brooks Lee is starting at third base for Minnesota on Saturday while Kody Clemens is back in the lineup at second base.

Swanson coughed up three runs on three hits and a walk in the eighth inning of Friday's 8-0 loss to the Phillies.

The righty reliever gave up back-to-back doubles to Max Kepler and J.T. Realmuto to lead off the frame. Swanson has been tagged for runs in three of five appearances since coming off the injured list, leading to a 9.64 ERA, 1.93 WHIP and 2:3 K:BB in 4.2 innings, and he seems a long way from being ready to handle high-leverage work.

Scherzer (thumb) tossed 4.1 innings in a rehab start with Triple-A Buffalo on Friday, allowing two runs on four hits and no walks while striking out four batters.

This was Scherzer's first time pitching in a game since March 29. The veteran hurler landed on the IL due to a right thumb injury shortly after that contest -- his lone regular-season appearance this year -- and had his recovery temporarily stalled by a back injury, but he's now seemingly past the latter issue. Scherzer threw 56 pitches (39 strikes) in Friday's rehab start and sat at 91.9 mph with his fastball, per Shi Davidi of Sportsnet.ca. He'll likely need at least one more rehab appearance before he's ready to make his return to Toronto's rotation.

Bieber (elbow) received good news Friday from the doctor that performed his Tommy John elbow surgery, Josh Kirshenbaum of MLB.com reports. Dr. Keith Meister told Bieber his discomfort was normal and not structural.

Bieber had his rehab assignment paused after feeling discomfort in his elbow, All the tests the right-hander went through came back with good news, and the next step is to resume throwing. The Guardians have not yet established a program, but Bieber will likely throw at least one bullpen session before resuming his rehab assignment.

Smith went 2-for-4 with two RBI and a run scored Friday against the Twins.

Smith got things going for the Astros early on, as he delivered a two-RBI single in the first inning. He has made five straight starts in right field and has at least one hit in four of those contests, going 6-for-20 with four RBI and four runs scored.

Mangum went 1-for-4 with two RBI and a run scored Friday against the Mets.

Mangum has started 12 of 13 games since being activated from the injured list. He has racked up 10 RBI, three runs scored and two stolen bases while going 12-for-48 in that span, and he's hit particularly well through four games on the Rays' current road trip by collecting seven hits across 16 at-bats with four RBI and two runs scored.

Lowe went 3-for-4 with a walk and a run scored Friday against the Mets.

Lowe has had hits come in bunches in June, as Friday marked his third multi-hit game across 11 starts in the month. He began the Rays' rally in the sixth inning with a single and came around to score, giving him eight runs scored in that same 11-game span.