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  • Goes yard again
    Smith went 1-for-4 with a solo home run during Sunday's 4-0 win over Kansas City.

    Advice: Smith tagged Sam Long for a solo shot in the seventh inning, marking Smith's third home run in the last five games. During that stretch, he's 7-for-13 with six RBI. With third baseman Josh Jung (wrist) nearing a return, Smith could shift away from the hot corner and into the DH slot. Rotowire.com Yesterday, 10:40 pm
    Josh SmithTEX - 3B,SS,OF
    5:10 pm @MIL
    New Player Note
     
  • Progressing in recovery
    Manager David Bell indicated this weekend that McLain, who underwent shoulder surgery in late March, should be ready to start swinging a bat soon, Charlie Goldsmith of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports. "He's pretty close," Bell said. When he starts swinging, there will be a step-by-step progression from dry swinging to tee work to soft toss, etc. "It's a very well-thought out progression that he'll have to take his time with."

    Advice: Bell alluded to McLain being ready for action at some point in August but also noted it's a long process between now and then. The 2021 first-rounder hit 16 home runs with an .864 OPS in his rookie season last year over 403 plate appearances, so his return could potentially give the Reds, a team that ranks just 21st in OPS, some extra pop down the stretch. Rotowire.com Yesterday, 7:04 pm
    Matt McLainCIN - 2B,SS
    4:10 pm vs PIT
    New Player Note
    IL60
     
  • Doubles twice, drives in three
    Pena went 3-for-5 with two doubles, three RBI and a run scored in Sunday's win against the Orioles.

    Advice: Pena hit an RBI double in the first inning before knocking a two-run double in the sixth. He'd been stuck in a 6-for-49 (.122) slump since his last multi-hit game June 5. Pena's homerless drought has now reached 31 games, and he's attempted only one steal in his last 15 contests. Still, he bumped his season slash line up to .280/.316/.382 through 314 plate appearances. Rotowire.com Yesterday, 6:36 pm
     
  • Josh Smith homers in win
    Josh Smith went 1-for-4 with a solo home run in a win over the Royals on Sunday.

    Advice: Smith took Sam Long deep 383 feet at 102.2 mph for his seventh home run on the season. The 26-year-old has been brilliant filling in for Josh Jung, hitting .303/.391/.478 on the year. Considering his ability to play all over the field, he should be able to fight for consistent playing time even when Jung returns. Provided he keeps hitting like this. Rotoworld Yesterday, 3:01 pm
    Josh SmithTEX - 3B,SS,OF
    5:10 pm @MIL
    New Player Note
     
  • Matt McLain (shoulder) close to resuming swinging
    Reds manager David Bell told reporters Sunday that Matt McLain (shoulder) is close to resuming swinging a bat.

    Advice: The Reds are in the process of mapping out a definitive timeline for McLain to return at some point in August as he works his way back from late-March surgery on his left shoulder. The 24-year-old middle infielder was excellent last year in his debut for Cincinnati and figures to make a significant impact for fantasy managers down the home stretch, if he can avoid any setbacks. He’s worthy of a speculative stash in deeper mixed leagues at this point, even if he’s a couple months away from returning. Rotoworld Yesterday, 9:35 am
    Matt McLainCIN - 2B,SS
    4:10 pm vs PIT
    New Player Note
    IL60
     
  • Ninth-inning grand slam in loss
    Turang went 3-for-4 with a grand slam and a walk in Saturday's loss to the Padres.

    Advice: Turang reached base four times in the contest, topping things off with a ninth-inning grand slam to bring Milwaukee back within two runs of the Padres. The grand slam was the second of his career, and he's now collected at least one RBI in three consecutive games. Turang has also recorded multiple hits in three straight and is now batting .296 on the campaign with five homers, 31 RBI and 26 stolen bases. Perhaps the only downside is that he's been caught stealing in each of his last three attempts, including twice Saturday. Rotowire.com Yesterday, 6:36 am
     
  • Back at third base for now
    Smith started at third base and went 2-for-3 with a solo home run in Saturday's 6-0 win over Kansas City.

    Advice: Smith made a second consecutive start in the field after serving as a designated hitter for a pair of games. He had been dealing with a hamstring injury that forced him to miss four games before returning as the DH. Now that he's back in the field, the question becomes how long he will be there. Third baseman Josh Jung (wrist) rejoined the team Friday and will take live batting practice Tuesday. If all goes well, Jung could be activated off the 60-day injured list afterward. The Rangers would like to keep Smith's bat in the lineup; he's batting .304/.393/.469 over a career-high 259 plate appearances. The lefty hitter could serve as the primary DH; he owns an .857 OPS against lefties and an .863 OPS against righties this season. Rotowire.com Yesterday, 4:36 am
    Josh SmithTEX - 3B,SS,OF
    5:10 pm @MIL
    New Player Note
     
  • Brice Turang slugs grand slam in loss to Padres
    Brice Turang singled twice, drew a walk and belted a grand slam on Saturday night as the Brewers were thwarted by the Padres in San Diego.

    Advice: Turang led off the game with a walk but was gunned down by Kyle Higashioka while attempting to steal second base. Then he singled to center in the third inning and was once again cut down trying to nab second base. Turang had been caught stealing just twice all season entering play on Saturday. Then he prevented a shutout with a two-out grand slam off of Jhony Brito in the ninth inning that pulled the Brewers to within two runs at 6-4. With his three-hit effort, the 24-year-old infielder is now hitting .296/.360/.416 with five homers, 31 RBI and 26 stolen bases in 30 attempts on the season. Rotoworld Saturday, 6:59 pm
     
  • Smith belts sixth home run in win Saturday
    Josh Smith went 2-for-3 with a solo home run against the Royals on Saturday.

    Advice: Smith’s home run was his sixth of the year. He’s 15-for-37 (.405) with three home runs, eight RBI and a stolen base in his last 13 games. Smith has stood out on the Rangers offense and found his way to the No. 3 spot in the lineup. Given Texas’ other options, they’ll continue to find playing time for him as long as he’s producing like this. Rotoworld Saturday, 3:46 pm
    Josh SmithTEX - 3B,SS,OF
    5:10 pm @MIL
    New Player Note