MLB Player News

Smith is out of the lineup for Monday's game against the Mets while he continues to recover from what he described as "lower glute/upper hamstring" tightness, Kennedi Landry of MLB.com reports.

Rangers manager Bruce Bochy had previously said that Smith was dealing with general tightness, but the 26-year-old provided more specifics about the nature of his injury. Though Smith is on the bench Monday for a fourth straight game, he said he's improving every day and expects to rejoin the lineup within the next few days. Ezequiel Duran will spell Smith at third base Monday.

Pillar is not in the starting lineup for Monday's series opener against the Brewers, Brent Maguire of MLB.com reports.

Pillar will begin Monday's game in the dugout after starting in each of the Angels' last seven games. Pillar is hitting .340 with six home runs and 25 RBI over 106 at-bats with the Halos this season, though he's gone 9-for-40 since June 1. With Pillar on the bench Monday, Willie Calhoun will serve as the designated hitter while Jo Adell starts in right field against Brewers right-hander Carlos Rodriguez.

Kelly is out of the lineup for Monday's game against Atlanta.

Kelly will get a breather after he started behind the plate both of the past two days. Jake Rogers will step in as the Tigers' starting catcher Monday.

The Blue Jays placed Garcia on the 15-day injured list Monday due to right elbow ulnar neuritis.

Garcia was forced out of his save chance in Sunday's 7-6 win over Cleveland after experiencing right elbow soreness. The MRI after Sunday's game showed no structural damage to Garcia's right elbow, but it did reveal ulnar nerve symptoms, per Hazel Mae of Sportsnet. While there was optimism that Garcia would be day-to-day with the injury, he will now be on the shelf until at least the beginning of July. With Jordan Romano (elbow) still on the IL, Blue Jays manager John Schneider said Monday that Chad Green will operate as the interim closer for Toronto, according to Mae.

Rengifo (wrist) is absent from the lineup for Monday's game versus the Brewers.

Rengifo exited Sunday's loss to the Giants with a left wrist contusion as a result of a hit by pitch. The infielder said he'll be available off the bench Monday, so he would seem to have a good shot to return to the lineup Tuesday. Luis Guillorme will cover third base in Rengifo's stead.

Yoshida (hand) is out of the lineup for Monday's game against the Blue Jays.

Yoshida was lifted from Sunday's 9-3 win over the Yankees in the seventh inning after being hit on the hand by a pitch, but his removal might have been precautionary more than anything. According to Mac Cerullo of the Boston Herald, the lefty-hitting Yoshida's absence from the lineup Monday is a pre-planned decision, as the Blue Jays are bringing a lefty (Yusei Kikuchi) to the hill, and the Red Sox wanted to give outfielder Tyler O'Neill a day off from playing defense and instead use him as a designated hitter. Assuming his hand isn't bothering him, Yoshida should re-enter the lineup Tuesday, when the Red Sox are scheduled to face right-hander Chris Bassitt.

The Angels activated Drury (hamstring) from the 10-day injured list Monday.

Drury was sidelined for nearly six weeks of action with a left hamstring strain but is ready to rejoin the Angels after playing in six rehab games. Most of Drury's starts with the Angels will probably come at second base, but first base, third base and designated hitter are options, as well.

The Angels selected the contract of Plesac on Monday.

After being designated for assignment by the Angels on April 8, Plesac stayed with the organization in Triple-A after passing through waivers. Across 13 starts with Triple-A Salt Lake, Plesac holds a 3-7 record with a 5.42 ERA and 1.43 WHIP. However, over his last two starts, he's given up two runs on seven hits and two walks while striking out 11 over 15.1 innings. With Chase Silseth (elbow) close to returning from the 60-day IL, Plesac will likely operate out of the Angels' bullpen after right-hander Jose Suarez was designated for assignment in a corresponding move.

Valdez is out of the lineup for Monday's game against the Blue Jays.

The lefty-hitting Valdez will get the night off while the Blue Jays bring southpaw Yusei Kikuchi to the bump. The freshly activated Romy Gonzalez (hamstring) will get the start at second base in place of Valdez.

Smith is out of the lineup for Monday's game against the Blue Jays.

With southpaw Yusei Kikuchi taking the hill for Toronto, the lefty-hitting Smith will give way to Bobby Dalbec at first base. Expect the two to form a platoon at the position until Triston Casas (ribs) returns from the 10-day injured list, perhaps shortly before the All-Star break.