MLB Player News

Guerrero was removed from Friday's contest versus the Cubs in the sixth inning with an apparent back/side injury, Sportsnet reports.

Vlad Jr. popped out on the first pitch of the top of the sixth inning and immediately grabbed at his back/left side area before jogging slowly to first base. He was removed from the game prior to the bottom of the sixth. The Blue Jays should offer more on Guerrero's condition soon. He was hitless in three plate appearances before departing.

Texas transferred Helman (hand) to the 60-day injured list Friday.

Helman was placed on the 10-day IL on June 14 after suffering multiple fractures in his right hand after being hit by a pitch. The Rangers decided to move the 30-year-old to the 60-day IL in order to free up a spot on the 40-man roster for Jarred Kelenic. Helman has appeared in just 15 games for Texas this season, recording 35 plate appearances.

The Rangers optioned Smith to Triple-A Round Rock on Friday.

Smith was just activated from the 10-day injured list earlier this week after being out since early May with glute and wrist injuries as well as viral meningitis. He still leads Texas with 28 starts at second base this season even with all the missed time, but Smith has managed just a .218/.316/.248 slash line covering 117 plate appearances. He should be back with the big club later this season, but for now he'll try to get his swing in order at Round Rock.

The Rangers selected Kelenic's contract from Triple-A Round Rock on Friday.

Kelenic will join his second major-league team this season as he will make his way to Arlington to join the Rangers. With Round Rock, the 26-year-old raked to the tune of a .340/.431/.620 slash line with three homers in 59 plate appearances. Texas optioned Josh Smith to Triple-A in order to make room for Kelenic on the active roster and transferred Michael Helman (hand) to the 60-day injured list to open a spot for Kelenic on the 40-man roster.

Garcia (hand) is not in the lineup for Friday's game against the Cardinals.

It's the third straight game on the bench for Garcia as he continues to manage soreness in his left hand. The 26-year-old departed Tuesday's matchup with the Nationals due to the injury, but it's actually a nagging issue that he's been dealing with throughout the past month. Nick Loftin is picking up another start at third base Friday.

WItt (knee) is out of the lineup for Friday's game against the Cardinals.

Witt departed Thursday's game against the Cardinals with an apparent knee issue after his right leg twisted under him on a sliding attempt at shortstop, and he'll sit for at least one game. A rare team day off Saturday will provide the All-Star shortstop two straight days of rest heading into Sunday's series finale.

Eisert will be the White Sox's opening pitcher for Friday's contest in Detroit, Evan Woodbery of MLive.com reports.

Erick Fedde will follow in bulk relief. Eisert has had three previous opening assignments this season, yielding two runs with a 4:1 K:BB over 3.1 innings in those outings.

The Tigers called up Cruz from Triple-A Toledo, and he is starting in right field and batting ninth Friday against the White Sox, Jason Beck of MLB.com reports.

It will be the MLB debut for the 27-year-old Cruz, who is replacing Wenceel Perez (face) on the active roster. Cruz has a .228/.326/.333 slash line with two homers in 33 games at Toledo this year and is likely to operate primarily as a reserve outfielder while up in the majors.

Fedde is slated to serve as the bulk reliever in Friday's game versus the Tigers, Evan Woodbery of MLive.com reports.

Lefty Brandon Eisert will open for the White Sox before handing things off to the right-handed Fedde. It will be the seventh bulk relief assignment this season for Fedde, who holds a 4.73 ERA and 19:12 K:BB over 26.2 frames in his first seven outings in such situations.

Chisholm (groin) is starting at second base and batting fifth Friday against the Reds.

Chisholm exited Thursday's contest versus the White Sox after a fouling a pitch off himself but is back in action for Friday's series opener versus Cincinnati. The 28-year-old is batting just .178 (8-for-45) through 14 games in June, though he also has a triple, four homers, six steals, 10 RBI and 12 runs scored.