MLB Player News

Smith is out of the lineup for Thursday's game against the Giants, Gabrielle Starr of the Boston Herald reports.

After he was granted his release from his minor-league deal with the Rays earlier Wednesday, Smith quickly landed with the Red Sox on a one-year contract and was included in the lineup upon joining the team. He started at first base in Wednesday's 6-2 win, going 1-for-4 with an RBI. While Masataka Yoshida (thumb) is on the shelf along with Triston Casas (ribs), the Red Sox could have room in the lineup at designated hitter and first base for both Smith and Garrett Cooper (wrist), though the lefty-hitting Smith will still likely sit against most left-handed pitchers. Smith finds himself on the bench Thursday with the Giants bringing southpaw Kyle Harrison to the hill.

Cooper (wrist) will serve as the Red Sox's designated hitter and No. 6 batter in Thursday's game against the Giants, Gabrielle Starr of the Boston Herald reports.

Cooper didn't play in Wednesday's 6-2 win while tending to a bruised right wrist, but he'll be back in action for the series finale. Given that he's serving as the Red Sox's DH rather than manning first base, it's possible that the bruised wrist is still presenting some complications with his throwing. With Masataka Yoshida (thumb) going on the 10-day injured list Wednesday, the Red Sox can give Cooper as much time as he needs at DH to heal up from the wrist issue before he's reintegrated at first base.

Smith started at first base and went 1-for-4 with an RBI in Wednesday's 6-2 win over the Giants.

Smith is the latest through the revolving door that is first base on Boston's roster. He was signed earlier in the day and made his debut for the Red Sox. With Triston Casas (ribs) on the 60-day injured list, the Red Sox have added two new first baseman over the last week -- Smith and Garrett Cooper (wrist). Once the righty-hitting Cooper is ready, a job share between him Smith (a lefty) seems likely. Bobby Dalbec is also around.

Cronenworth went 1-for-4 with a grand slam during Wednesday's 6-2 win over Cincinnati.

Cronenworth swatted his third-career grand slam in the seventh inning off reliever Fernando Cruz, breaking the 2-2 tie and giving the Padres the eventual win. The first baseman has generated a hit in six straight games with five extra-base hits and nine total RBI during that stretch.

The Athletics optioned Noda to Triple-A Las Vegas on Wednesday.

Noda's 0-for-3 performance during Wednesday's win over Pittsburgh extended his hitless streak to 28 at-bats across 11 games and gives him a putrid .128 batting average through 83 at-bats on the year. Abraham Toro will likely fill in as Oakland's everyday first baseman while Noda attempts to rediscover his swing in the minors.

Smith signed a one-year contract with the Red Sox on Wednesday, Gabrielle Starr of the Boston Herald reports.

Smith slashed .263/.337/.375 across 89 plate appearances with the Rays' Triple-A affiliate while on a minor-league deal. He was released by Tampa Bay earlier on Wednesday and will now join the Red Sox on a major-league deal to help make up for the loss of Triston Casas (ribs). Smith will likely end up splitting time with Garrett Cooper (wrist) at first base, replacing Bobby Dalbec.

Encarnacion-Strand (hand) remains out of the lineup for Wednesday's contest versus the Padres.

He'll miss a fourth straight start due to lingering left hand soreness following a hit-by-pitch. Encarnacion-Strand has been available off the bench the last two days and presumably will be again Wednesday. He could be back in the lineup Friday against the Orioles after the Reds' off day Thursday.

Smith is expected to sign a major-league contract with the Red Sox, Pete Abraham of The Boston Globe reports.

Garrett Cooper exited Tuesday's game versus the Giants after being hit on the right wrist by a pitch, but Chris Cotillo of The Springfield Republican hears Cooper is expected to be fine. Smith instead looks like a replacement for Bobby Dalbec, and he could end up forming a platoon at first base with the righty-hitting Cooper. Smith had been at Triple-A Durham in the Rays organization before requesting and being granted his release Wednesday. The 28-year-old first baseman hit only .254/.326/.366 with 12 home runs over 153 games with the Nationals last season.

The Rays released Smith on Wednesday, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Topkin hears that Smith is expected to sign a major-league contract with another club, although the identity of that team isn't known at this point. Smith has slashed .263/.337/.375 with two home runs over 21 games this season at Triple-A Durham. The 28-year-old had a .692 OPS across 153 contests last season with the Nationals.

Walker went 3-for-5 with two home runs and three RBI in Tuesday's 4-3 extra-inning win over the Dodgers.

Walker bookended the Diamondbacks' scoring with a solo home run in the fourth inning then a two-run, walk-off job in the bottom of the 10th. He closed out the month on a roll, going 10-for-24 (.417) with four homers and nine RBI over the final seven games. The first baseman has a team-high seven home runs and is tied for the team lead with 22 RBI.