MLB Player News

Loftin is out of the lineup for Thursday's game against the Guardians.

Loftin had been excluded from the lineup the Royals released Wednesday before the game was ultimately postponed due to inclement weather, but he'll get a proper rest day Thursday. Garrett Hampson will step in at second base in place of Loftin, who had picked up starts in six of the Royals' previous seven games.

Velazquez is out of the lineup for Thursday's game against the Guardians.

With Hunter Renfroe occupying right field and Salvador Perez getting a day off from catching and serving as the Royals' designated hitter, Velazquez's primary two avenues to playing time are closed off Thursday. Velazquez still looks to be a near-everyday player for Kansas City, as he had started in 11 of the team's previous 12 games.

Duran entered as a pinch runner for Corey Seager (hamstring) and went 1-for-3 with a run scored in Thursday's 9-1 win over Detroit. He was also picked off/caught stealing.

Duran remained in the game to play third base while Josh Smith, the primary third baseman while Josh Jung (wrist) is unavailable, moved to shortstop to cover Seager's spot in the field. Texas manager Bruce Bochy downplayed the injury when speaking to Kennedi Landry of MLB.com following the game. If the injury lingers, the combination of Smith and Duran should handle the left side of the infield. The Rangers are off Thursday.

Mullins went 0-for-3 with a walk, a stolen base and one run scored in Wednesday's 3-2 loss to the Blue Jays.

Mullins has seen his playing time dip amid his prolonged struggles at the plate. He's gone just 9-for-73 (.123) with a 3:24 BB:K over 26 contests since the start of May, though he has managed to pick up six steals in that span despite his troubles getting on base. Mullins is slashing a meager .178/.225/.314 with 12 steals, six home runs, 22 RBI and 23 runs scored over 182 plate appearances this year. Austin Hays and Colton Cowser have been the main players to benefit from Mullins' decreased playing time, and the Orioles aren't short on prospects to call up if they choose to mix up the composition of outfielders on their roster.

Kimbrel (4-2) allowed an unearned run on two hits over one-third of an inning, taking the loss Wednesday versus the Blue Jays.

Isiah Kiner-Falefa delivered a walk-off single in the ninth inning to hand Kimbrel his first loss since April 28. This also ended Kimbrel's scoreless streak at 7.2 innings, though he hasn't given up an earned run since May 8. The closer has a 2.95 ERA, 1.03 WHIP, 31:9 K:BB and 13 saves in 16 chances through 21.1 innings this season.

Heim went 3-for-5 with a home run, a double, two total runs and two total RBI in a 9-1 win against Detroit on Wednesday.

Heim's biggest contribution was a two-run shot to right field in the third inning that gave Texas a 4-0 lead. The backstop added a double and a single to finish with just his second three-hit performance of the season. Heim's pace has slowed a bit after he tallied a career-best 18 homers and 95 RBI last year, but he's still giving solid production from the catcher position with a .251/.296/.372 slash line, six homers, 31 RBI, 22 runs and a stolen base through 199 plate appearances.

Smith went 3-for-4 with a home run, a double, a walk, two total RBI and a stolen base in Wednesday's 9-1 victory against the Tigers.

Smith gave the Rangers a 2-0 lead with his solo shot to right field in the third inning and added an RBI single in the sixth. For good measure, the third baseman sweetened his stat line with a stolen base following a first-inning walk. Smith continues to shine at the hot corner for Texas, getting at least one hit in eight of his past nine games and batting .361 (13-for-36) with two homers, three doubles, four RBI, seven runs and two steals over that span.

Urena (2-5) earned the win over Detroit on Wednesday, allowing one run on one hit and one walk while striking out six batters over 6.2 innings.

Urena got through five perfect frames until Tigers rookie Justyn-Henry Malloy tagged him for his first MLB homer leading off the sixth inning. Urena rebounded by retiring the next five batters before getting pulled following a two-out walk in the seventh. The veteran righty's 6.2 frames tied a season-high mark and were enough to give him his third quality start over his past five appearances. Despite Urena's strong outing, he may be pushed out of the rotation this weekend if Jon Gray (groin) is ready to return from the injured list.

Santander went 1-for-3 with a solo home run and a walk in Wednesday's loss to the Blue Jays.

Santander produced the first run of the contest with his solo shot to right field in the second inning. He's gone deep in three of his past five contests to push his season total to 12 long balls. Santander is also working on an eight-game hitting streak during which he's gone 11-for-30 (.367 average) with three homers, six RBI and seven runs.

Turner went 3-for-4 with a double and a run, reaching 1,500 career hits in Wednesday's 3-2 win against the Orioles.

Turner scored after doubling in the second inning, and he singled in his next at-bat for the 1,500th hit of his major-league career. The veteran has posted a modest .225/.307/.354 slash line through 202 plate appearances in his first campaign with Toronto, though he's maintained his usual solid contact skills with a 16.3 percent strikeout rate. Turner has added four homers, 20 RBI, 19 runs and a 10.1 percent walk rate.