MLB Player News

Massey went 1-for-4 with a two-run home run in Wednesday's 7-1 win over the White Sox.

Massey has homered three times over his last six games, driving in seven runs in that span. The second baseman has also collected just one other hit over that stretch while striking out eight times. He's up to 13 long balls, 51 RBI, 38 runs scored, six stolen bases and a .222/.268/.371 slash line through 116 contests this season. With the Royals in prospect evaluation mode, he may not see a full-time role for the remainder of the season, as Nick Loftin has also seen time at the keystone.

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

Sosa dominated the playing time at second base for Chicago in late August and early September, but veteran Elvis Andrus has taken on a larger number of starts lately. That's the case Wednesday, with Andrus manning the keystone and batting ninth.

Frazier is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game versus St. Louis.

Frazier started the previous three games and went 4-for-9 with a triple, a walk and three RBI, but he'll take a seat Wednesday against Cardinals lefty Drew Rom. Jordan Westburg will man the keystone while Gunnar Henderson handles third base and Jorge Mateo shortstop.

Biggio is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Rangers.

Biggio has lately been filling the large side of a platoon at third base, so it's not a surprise he's sitting Wednesday with southpaw Jordan Montgomery pitching for Texas. Santiago Espinal will man the hot corner in Biggio's place and bat sixth.

Merrifield (groin) is starting in left field and batting fifth against the Rangers on Wednesday.

The 34-year-old sat out the previous two games with groin tightness but will return to the starting nine Wednesday versus Texas lefty Jordan Montgomery. Merrifield is mired in a 1-for-20 slump and has seen his playing time against right-handed pitchers slip, with Davis Schneider handling a larger role at second base.

Massey went 1-for-5 with a three-run home run, a hit-by-pitch and two total runs scored in an 11-10 win over the White Sox in the second game of Tuesday's doubleheader.

Massey was on the bench for the matinee game before handling the keystone in the nightcap. The second baseman has had mixed results in September, hitting .235 with two homers and six RBI while also posting a 2:11 BB:K over nine contests this month. Overall, he's at a .221/.268/.365 slash line, 12 homers, six stolen bases, 49 RBI and 37 runs scored through 115 games. Top prospect Nick Loftin has started to infringe on Massey's starting role at second base, though Loftin's versatility also allows him to pick up time at other positions.

Polanco was activated from the bereavement list Wednesday, Do-Hyoung Park of MLB.com reports.

Polanco missed three games while tending to personal matters, but he's rejoined the Twins and is back in the lineup for Wednesday's series finale against the Rays. The veteran infielder will carry an .802 OPS into play Wednesday.

Lowe is absent from the lineup for Wednesday's contest in Minnesota.

The Twins are throwing southpaw Dallas Keuchel, so the lefty-hitting Lowe will take a seat. Osleivis Basabe will handle second base for the Rays in this one.

Ibanez went 2-for-4 with a walk, a double, a solo home run, two runs scored and two total RBI in Tuesday's extra-inning loss to the Reds.

Ibanez was bumped up to the No. 2 spot in the order and responded with a good game, which included his 11th home run of the season. The utility player has now batted second on 10 occasions this year, though he's primarily been lower in the order, most frequently appearing in the No. 8 spot. Ibanez may stay put for the time being after the strong effort, however.

Schneider went 2-for-4 with a double and solo home run in Tuesday's loss to Texas.

Schneider smashed a 418-foot moonshot off Aroldis Chapman in the ninth inning that boasted 104.9 mph exit velocity for his eighth homer of the season. The rookie has garnered 15 starts in the Blue Jays' last 16 games amid a torrid stretch dating back to Aug. 26. In 51 at-bats since then, he has hit .373 with nine doubles, five homers, 16 runs and 14 RBI.