MLB Player News

Smith had three of the game’s five hardest-hit balls tonight, ranging from a 105.9-mph groundout to a 108-mph double. His homer came in at 107.5 mph and was hit 419 feet to left-center. Smith somehow was hitting just .118 with three extra-base hits in home games until busting out some tonight. He had 48 total bases on the road at 14 in Houston.

He’s slated to join the Pirates’ taxi squad, which could lead to him being added to the active roster in the coming days. Bethancourt last appeared in the majors with the Cubs in 2024. The 34-year-old has hit .270/.320/.491 in 67 Triple-A games this year.

Mesa’s setback last night will shelve him for at least 10 days. Ryan Vilade and Jonny DeLuca will get extra starts against righties while Mesa is out.

Piper, who was up for one day earlier this month, will serve as the Rays’ third catcher. He’s hit .270/.376/.516 with 12 homers and 12 steals in 71 minor league games, most of them coming in Double-A.

Because outfielder Victor Mesa Jr. is going on the IL, Roycroft gets to come back up four days after being demoted. He has a 7.27 ERA in 17 1/3 innings for the Rays this season.

Scholtens pitched four innings in relief last night, so of course he’s going back to the minors. He has a 4.03 ERA in 44 2/3 innings for the Rays this season.

Arenado missed the last two games as a result of an abdominal strain suffered Sunday. It’s just his second start as a designated hitter this season. Jose Fernandez is again filling in at third base.

The Red Sox want to ease Anthony back into action, so he’s resting today after going 2-for-2 with a homer and two walks in his first rehab game Tuesday. He’s slated to play left field on Thursday and then DH on Friday.

The Reds called up Will Banfield as a third catcher on Tuesday, making it easier to use Stephenson as a DH when he’s not behind the plate. Stephenson gets the nod against Matthew Liberatore today even though he’s hitting just .175 against lefties this season. The right-handed hitter actually has pretty bizarre splits. He’s slugging .458 against righties and just .228 against lefties, but he has a 76/20 K/BB in 273 plate appearances versus righties yet an excellent 15/17 K/BB in 74 plate appearances against lefties. With Stephenson DHing, Eugenio Suárez is playing third base and Ke’Bryan Hayes is on the bench.

Still no real news here. Marte is supposed to be undergoing an MRI on his left knee in Arizona, but he remains on the restricted list for now.

Rutschman DH’d when he didn’t catch Sunday, but this one will be a full day off. The Red Sox have Connor Wong behind the plate and Mickey Gasper DHing.