MLB Player News

Smith is out of the lineup for Thursday's game against the Athletics.

The left-handed-hitting Smith will retreat to the bench for the series finale while the Athletics send southpaw Jeffrey Springs to the hill. Nick Ahmed will step in at shortstop in place of Smith, who had been included in the lineup in each of the last seven games while batting .192 with no extra-base hits and a stolen base.

Pillar (back) will start in center field and bat leadoff in Thursday's game against the Athletics.

Pillar hadn't played since Monday due to a sore back, but he'll be back in the lineup while the Rangers wrap up their four-game set against the Athletics with a matchup against southpaw Jeffrey Springs. Leody Taveras is expected to continue serving as the Rangers' primary center fielder, though Pillar will usually replace him when Texas faces left-handed pitching.

Pereda will start at catcher and bat ninth in Thursday's game against the Rangers.

Pereda has been with the Athletics since Opening Day but will be making just his sixth start of the season through the team's first 32 games. The 29-year-old will likely continue to see sporadic playing time so long as top backstop Shea Langeliers is healthy.

The Astros optioned Blubaugh to Triple-A Sugar Land on Thursday.

With the Astros opting to skip Hayden Wesneski's turn through the rotation this week, Blubaugh was summoned from Triple-A on Wednesday to make a spot start in his MLB debut. The 24-year-old was the pitcher of record in Houston's 7-4 loss to Detroit, covering four innings and allowing seven runs (two earned) on five hits and one walk while striking out six. Wesneski is expected to return to action next week and Lance McCullers (forearm) is slated to come off the injured list and start Sunday against the White Sox, so the Astros didn't have room for Blubaugh in the rotation beyond Wednesday.

Palacios is out of the lineup for Thursday's game against the Brewers.

Palacios will hit the bench after leading off and starting in right field in six of Chicago's last seven games. The 29-year-old slashed .211/.348/.368 during that stretch, but he may have to settle for a spot lower in the batting order the next time he's included in the lineup. The White Sox activated shortstop Chase Meidroth (thumb) from the 10-day injured list Thursday and immediately installed him into the leadoff spot for the series finale versus Milwaukee.

Thaiss is out of the lineup for Thursday's game against the Brewers.

Edgar Quero is behind the dish and Andrew Benintendi is occupying the designated-hitter spot in Thursday's series finale, so the White Sox won't have room in the lineup for Thaiss. After serving as the White Sox's primary catcher for most of the season, Thaiss has faded into more of a part-time role since Quero was called up from Triple-A Charlotte on April 17. Thaiss has started in six of Chicago's 14 games following Quero's promotion.

Bradford (elbow) threw from 90 feet on flat ground this week, Shawn McFarland of The Dallas Morning News reports.

The left-hander will begin throwing breaking balls next week and believes he will be ready to throw off a mound within the next three weeks. That timeline suggests Bradford will not be back before the end of May, but he is making progress. The southpaw is on the 60-day injured list and working his way back from a left elbow sprain.

Gray (wrist) has been cleared to do some light throwing next week, Shawn McFarland of The Dallas Morning News reports.

Gray received clearance after getting good results from an X-ray earlier this week. It will be a slow and steady progression for the right-hander as he works his way back from a fractured right wrist. Gray doesn't have a timetable, but a return before the All-Star break seems unlikely.

Rocker (shoulder) said Thursday that he will likely throw a bullpen session next week, Shawn McFarland of The Dallas Morning News reports.

Rocker -- who was placed on the 15-day injured list last week with a right shoulder impingement -- has been throwing on flat ground and should take the next step of his progression soon. The rookie right-hander is eligible for activation late next week, but it does not sound like he will be ready to return at that time.

Seager (hamstring) took live batting practice Thursday and also did some running, Jeff Wilson of AllDLLS.com reports.

Barring a setback, Seager is likely to be activated from the 10-day injured list when first eligible Saturday. The veteran shortstop is sporting a .286/.345/.468 batting line with four home runs over his first 21 contests for the Rangers this season.