MLB Player News

Smith (back) is not in the Rangers' starting lineup against the Rockies on Tuesday.

Smith will be out of Texas' lineup for a second consecutive game while nursing a sore lower back. Jake Burger will start at first base and bat seventh while Ezequiel Duran mans shortstop against Rockies southpaw Kyle Freeland.

The Athletics optioned Alvarado to Triple-A Las Vegas on Tuesday.

Alvarado made two appearances during his four-day stint in the majors, giving up three earned runs and striking out four batters over 2.2 innings. He'll now head back to the minors in favor of Jason Alexander, who was recalled from Las Vegas in a corresponding move. However, if Alvarado maintains something close to his 3.45 ERA and 0.92 WHIP in Triple-A, he will remain a candidate to return to the big club later in the season.

The Athletics reinstated Otanez (shoulder) from the 15-day injured list Tuesday.

Otanez wrapped up his rehab assignment Monday after making six appearances, including five with Triple-A Las Vegas, since April 26. The right-hander is now set up to work in the middle of the Athletics' bullpen after missing the beginning of the season due to the shoulder injury. The Athletics placed T.J. McFarland on the 15-day injured list in a corresponding move.

The Athletics recalled Alexander from Triple-A Las Vegas on Tuesday.

Alexander will return to the big club after T.J. McFarland (adductor) was placed on the 15-day injured list. Alexander has a 1.69 ERA and 1.23 WHIP across 21.1 innings in Triple-A as a starter this season, but he'll likely operate out of the Athletics' bullpen in McFarland's absence. Alexander made three major-league appearances before being optioned to Triple-A on April 18, allowing four runs (three earned) over 3.2 innings.

The Athletics placed McFarland on the 15-day injured list Tuesday with a left adductor strain, retroactive to Monday.

McFarland was pulled from his appearance against the Yankees on Sunday due to his injury and will now be forced to miss at least another two weeks. He'll be replaced in the Athletics' bullpen by Michel Otanez (shoulder), who was reinstated from the injured list in a corresponding move.

Polanco is not in Tuesday's lineup against the Yankees.

Polanco has been playing pretty regularly, but he'll head to the bench against tough lefty Max Fried. Polanco is hitting .327 with 10 home runs and one steal in 31 games.

The Rangers activated Higashioka (intercostal) from the 10-day injured list Tuesday.

Higashioka has been out for all of May with a mild left intercostal strain but is ready to go after playing in two rehab games. Tucker Barnhart remains on the roster, so the Rangers will carry three catchers for the time being.

Seager (hamstring) was placed on the 10-day injured list Tuesday, Evan Grant of The Dallas Morning News reports.

This will be Seager's second IL stint of the season with a right hamstring strain. The last time he missed under two weeks. Josh Smith (back) and Ezequiel Duran should fill in at shortstop. Kyle Higashioka was recalled in a corresponding move.

Manager Alex Cora said Tuesday that "as of now," Houck will make his next start Sunday against Atlanta, Chris Cotillo of MassLive.com reports.

It sounds like Cora is leaving the door open for Houck to not stay in the rotation after Houck gave up 11 earned runs Monday for the second time this season. If the team goes in another direction, Sean Newcomb or Cooper Criswell could be candidates for a spot start, as Walker Buehler (shoulder) is aiming to return next week.

The Twins will recall Funderburk from Triple-A St. Paul to serve as the 27th man during Wednesday's doubleheader versus the Orioles, Bobby Nightengale of The Minnesota Star Tribune reports.

Funderburk has made two relief appearances at the major-league level this season, surrendering two runs with a 5:1 K:BB across four innings. He'll likely be returned to St. Paul after the twin bill.