MLB Player News

Torres went 2-for-4 with a two-run home run and an additional RBI in Friday's 16-5 rout of Toronto.

Torres was held out of action Wednesday and Thursday following a prolonged slump, and the time off appeared to serve him well. The second baseman contributed to the team's offensive explosion Friday with a two-run blast in the sixth inning and a sacrifice fly in the ninth. Torres finished with his first multi-hit game in over a month -- he hadn't accomplished that feat since going 2-for-4 against San Diego on May 26.

Altuve went 2-for-5 with a double and a solo home run Friday against the Mets.

Altuve recorded his fourth consecutive multi-hit game and has maintained a .337 average across 23 games in June. His power has picked up of late, as he's now popped three homers in his last 10 starts while also swiping four bags in that span.

Lowe (toe) went 0-for-1 with a strikeout Friday against the Nationals.

Lowe has been out of the lineup for five straight games with a fractured pinky toe, and Friday's appearance as a pinch hitter was his first since suffering the injury. Manager Kevin Cash said that Lowe was physically capable of being a starter, but Lowe remained on the bench due to a matchup against lefty Mitchell Parker, per MLB.com. Lowe wore a protective guard over his right cleat.

Gelof went 3-for-4 with a triple, a walk, one RBI, one stolen base and two runs scored in Friday's 9-4 win over the Diamondbacks.

Gelof had gone 2-for-17 over his previous five contests before his big game Friday. The second baseman's triple was his second of the campaign and his first extra-base hit since June 20. He's at a .205/.259/.362 slash line with eight home runs, 22 RBI, 25 runs scored and nine steals across 62 games this year.

Kiner-Falefa went 2-for-4 with a solo home run and a second run scored in Friday's 16-5 loss to the Yankees.

The infielder took Michael Tonkin deep in the sixth inning, giving Kiner-Falefa his seventh long ball of the season, one off his career high. He's also hit safely in 12 straight games, batting a blistering .395 (17-for-43) over that stretch with three homers, six RBI and 10 runs.

Drury (illness) is out of the lineup for Friday's game against Detroit, Rhett Bollinger of MLB.com reports.

Drury hasn't played since June 18 due to an upper-respiratory illness and will be on the bench again Friday. Luis Guillorme will play second base and bat ninth. Drury is considered day-to-day but doesn't have a clear timeline for his return.

Torres is batting fifth and playing second base Friday at Toronto.

Torres is 2-for-29 at the plate since June 14 and was given back-to-back days off to clear his head amid the slump. The second baseman is 10-for-26 (.385) in his career against Yusei Kikuchi, who's the Blue Jays' starting pitcher Friday.

Massey is absent from the lineup for Friday's game against the Guardians.

Massey was hit by a pitch in Thursday's game, so it's possible he's a bit sore. Salvador Perez will be the Royals' designated hitter while Freddy Fermin does the catching.

Lowe (toe) remains out of the lineup for Friday's game against the Nationals.

Lowe hasn't played since suffering a fractured right pinky toe June 22. The Rays are facing a lefty in Mitchell Parker on Friday, so Lowe might not have been in the lineup anyway. If he remains out Saturday against righty Jake Irvin, a stint on the injured list may have to be considered. Jose Caballero is at second base Friday.

Valdez is out of the lineup for Friday's game against San Diego, Christopher Smith of MassLive.com reports.

Despite the Red Sox facing a right-hander in Randy Vasquez, Valdez will take a seat, yielding to David Hamilton at second base while Ceddanne Rafaela fills in at shortstop. Valdez is slashing .212/.267/.404 with six home runs in 162 plate appearances this season.