MLB Player News

Ortiz was removed from Triple-A Norfolk's lineup Tuesday due to left oblique tightness, Roch Kubatko of MASNSports.com reports.

Ortiz's removal was labeled as precautionary, so he may be able to rejoin the Tides' lineup within the next few days. The 25-year-old had a .448 OPS over 15 games in his first taste of the big leagues earlier this season, but he's enjoyed a strong campaign at Norfolk with a .321/.378/.504 slash line in 88 contests.

Frazier isn't in the Orioles' lineup Tuesday against the Angels.

The fact southpaw Reid Detmers is starting on the mound will force the lefty-hitting Frazier to remain on the bench for the beginning of Tuesday's game. Jordan Westburg will slide to second base while Frazier sits, moving Gunnar Henderson to third and pulling Jorge Mateo into the lineup at shortstop.

Sosa is out of the lineup for Tuesday's game against the Royals.

Sosa has been the White Sox's primary option at second base over the past couple weeks, and he's likely to remain in that role since he has an .820 OPS in his last 15 games. However, it'll be Elvis Andrus that starts at the keystone Tuesday versus Kansas City righty Brady Singer.

Loftin will start at first base and bat eighth in Tuesday's game against the White Sox.

Loftin has now cracked the lineup in four of the Royals' past five games, making starts at three infield spots and designated hitter during that span. Though the Royals may not commit to Loftin as their top option at any one position, the 24-year-old's versatility should allow him to hold down a near-everyday role so long as he continues to swing a hot bat. Through his first three big-league games, Loftin has gone 5-for-10 with three doubles, two walks, three runs and three RBI.

Urias is out of the lineup for Tuesday's game against the Rays, Chris Cotillo of The Springfield Republican reports.

On the bench against a right-handed starting pitcher (Zach Eflin) for the third time in four games, Urias looks as though he could be moving into a short-side platoon role at second base. The lefty-hitting Enmanuel Valdez will get another look at the keystone Tuesday after going 2-for-7 with a walk and two RBI between his last two starts.

Valdez will start at second base and bat ninth in Tuesday's game against the Rays, Chris Cotillo of The Springfield Republican reports.

Set to make his third start at the keystone in four games, the lefty-hitting Valdez looks as though he could occupy the strong side of a platoon at the position with the righty-hitting Luis Urias while Pablo Reyes (elbow) is on the injured list. Valdez went 2-for-7 with a walk, two RBI and a run between his last two starts.

Julien went 0-for-3 with three walks and three runs in Monday's 20-6 win over the Guardians.

Though he was one of only two Twins starters who failed to record a hit in the blowout victory, Julien still got the job done atop the order thanks to his patient eye at the plate. Since returning to the lineup Aug. 16 following a brief absence due to a hamstring injury, Julien is getting on base at a .377 clip and is batting .275, despite striking out at a 36.1 percent clip.

Polanco went 3-for-3 with a home run, a walk, two RBI and two additional runs in Monday's 20-6 win over the Guardians.

Since donning the Golden Sombrero in the Twins' 2-0 win over the Pirates on Aug. 20, Polanco has reached base in each of his last 13 contests, slashing .356/.482/.667 with four home runs, 11 RBI and 10 runs over that stretch. Though the Twins should get some reinforcement to the lineup with Alex Kirilloff (shoulder) and Byron Buxton (knee) due back soon from the injured list, Polanco will continue to play on a near-everyday basis while moving between second base, third base and designated hitter.

Diaz went 1-for-4 with a solo home run in an extra-inning loss to the Blue Jays on Monday.

Diaz's 397-foot shot to center in the seventh inning knotted the game at 3-3 and put him at 10 homers for the season. The rookie's blast snapped a nine-game home-run drought, and it extended a stretch of hot hitting that now sees him boasting a .409 average over his last seven contests.

Drury went 1-for-4 with a solo home run Monday in a loss to the Orioles.

Drury plated the final run of the contest, belting a solo shot to left-center field in the eighth inning. The long ball was his 20th of the campaign, marking the second straight season he's reached that number. Prior to last year, Drury hadn't hit more than 16 home runs in any of his seven big-league seasons.