MLB Player News

Julien is not in Saturday's lineup against the Rangers.

Julien's last start against a lefty came Aug. 20, and he'll begin this contest on the bench with southpaw Jordan Montgomery on the hill for Texas. Kyle Farmer draws the start at the keystone, batting sixth.

Altuve (left leg contusion) is not in Saturday's lineup against the Yankees.

Altuve exited Friday's game with a bruise after fouling a ball off his left leg/shin. Manager Dusty Baker said Altuve is still sore Saturday and is not moving around well, per Chandler Rome of The Athletic. Mauricio Dubon will start at second base and lead off.

Urias is not in Saturday's lineup against the Royals.

Urias is hitting .179 with more walks (six) than strikeouts (five) and one home run over his last 10 games. Enmanuel Valdez will start at the keystone while batting ninth.

Gimenez went 1-for-4 with a stolen base and a run scored in Friday's 3-2 win over the Rays.

Gimenez has faltered at the plate bit a lately, going 4-for-36 (.111) over his last nine games, though he has managed two steals in that span. The second baseman's slump has him down to a .234/.302/.378 slash line for the year. He's added 23 steals, 12 home runs, 49 RBI and 61 runs scored over 129 contests. While he's struggling, it hasn't cost him much playing time at the keystone.

Diaz went 3-for-4 with two doubles, one walk, one RBI and one run scored in Friday's 9-2 win over the Angels.

Diaz has hit safely in four straight games, going 8-for-13 (.615) with two walks in that span. The infielder was able to contribute his first RBI in seven games with a seventh-inning double. For the season, he's at a .246/.305/.411 slash line with nine home runs, 23 RBI, 18 runs scored and seven doubles through 69 contests.

Merrifield went 3-for-5 with an RBI double, a run scored and a stolen base in Friday's 13-9 win over the Rockies.

Merrifield singled and stole second base off Chris Flexen in the top of the second inning before he ripped an RBI double off Brent Suter in the top of the seventh, driving in Alejandro Kirk in the process. The stolen base was Merrifield's 25th of the year and second in as many games. After a hot stretch from the beginning of July until mid-August, he has struggled to a .186 batting average with four extra-base hits over 59 at-bats since Aug. 16. Perhaps Friday's performance can get him back on track.

Altuve exited Friday's 6-2 loss to the Yankees early with a left leg contusion, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports.

Altuve fouled a ball off his left leg and subsequently exited the contest in the next half inning. It's unclear how significant an injury he sustained, but he should be considered day-to-day until the Astros provide more information.

Torres (back) was a late scratch from the Yankees' lineup Friday versus the Astros, Erik Boland of Newsday reports.

Torres was originally set to start at second base against Houston, but he will be forced to sit out and should be considered day-to-day until more information is released about the nature of his back issue. Oswald Peraza will take over at second base while Isiah Kiner-Falefa enters the lineup at third base and bats sixth in the series opener.

Rengifo is starting in right field and batting second Friday at Oakland.

Rengifo looks poised to see more outfield action down the stretch as the Angels work in September call-up Kyren Paris at shortstop and second base. Paris is playing short and hitting ninth in his MLB debut Friday versus the Athletics.

Boston recalled Valdez from Triple-A Worcester on Friday, Pete Abraham of The Boston Globe reports.

Valdez got an extended run with the Red Sox earlier this season but batted just .234 with a .684 OPS across 101 plate appearances. The 24-year-old has put up impressive power numbers in the minors and could perhaps platoon at second base with Luis Urias.