MLB Player News

Julien is batting leadoff Saturday against the Yankees.

Byron Buxton is serving as the designated hitter and batting third. Julien seems to have taken over the leadoff spot against right-handed pitching and will start things off for the Twins on Saturday with Domingo German on the mound for New York.

Kemp went 0-for-3 with a sacrifice fly, a walk and a stolen base in a loss to the Mets on Friday.

Kemp was able to make a modest impact from the top of the order and rewarded fantasy managers with his second stolen base of the season in the process. The 31-year-old is carrying just a .213 average and .564 OPS through 55 plate appearances, but he's now reached safely in four straight games.

Andrus went 2-for-4 with two doubles and a run scored Friday against the Orioles.

Andrus began a rally in the sixth inning when he led off with a double and came around to score. He was in need of a strong performance, as he now has only two games with multiple hits across his 14 starts this season. Overall, Andrus has just a .173/.200/.231 line across 55 plate appearances, though he has a .209 BABIP and is striking out at a very reasonable 18.2 percent clip.

Gimenez went 0-for-3 with a stolen base and a run scored in Friday's 4-3 win over the Nationals.

While Gimenez went hitless for the third time in his last four games, he picked up his second steal in that span. The second baseman is up to four thefts in 14 contests. He's added a solid .291/.361/.436 slash line with a home run, five RBI and 15 runs scored. He's moved around the lineup a bit against right-handed pitchers, hitting fifth in four of nine such games. The struggles of Josh Bell, Josh Naylor and Amed Rosario could lead to Gimenez moving up the order eventually.

Merrifield isn't in the Blue Jays' lineup Friday against the Rays.

After going 4-for-12 at the plate with three RBI in his last three games, Merrifield will get a breather Friday. Santiago Espinal will start at second base instead and bat seventh.

Hensley is starting at designated hitter and batting sixth for the Astros in Friday's game against the Rangers.

Hensley isn't playing much at second base, with Mauricio Dubon emerging as the clear preferred option to fill in for Jose Altuve (thumb). He has started each of the last two contests at DH versus lefties, though, and will continue to fill in at various positions.

Biggio went 1-for-4 with a run scored and a stolen base in Thursday's loss to the Tigers.

Getting the start at second base and batting ninth, Biggio led off the third inning with a single to center field and promptly swiped second for his first steal of the season. The 28-year-old utility player has appeared in 10 games so far, six at the keystone, two at DH and one each at third base and right field, but he's hitting just .160 (4-for-25) with a shaky 3:11 BB:K in 29 plate appearances. Biggio will need to pick up the pace at the plate if he's going to continue earning consistent playing time against right-handed pitching.

Julien went 2-for-5 with a solo homer and an additional run scored in Thursday's victory over the Yankees.

Julien made his second straight start after being called up Wednesday, and he delivered his first hit and home run in Thursday's win. The 23-year-old should continue to see regular playing time at second base until Jorge Polanco (knee) is able to return from the injured list.

Merrifield went 1-for-4 with a stolen base in a loss to the Tigers on Thursday.

Merrifield started in left field for Toronto, marking the third position he has fielded in his past three starts (he played second base Wednesday and right field Sunday). The versatility is helping him remain in the lineup, as the veteran has started 10 of Toronto's 13 games so far this season. Merrifield is slashing a modest .250/.310/.278 with just one extra-base hit (a double) through 42 plate appearances, but he did manage his second theft Thursday. Fantasy managers who roster Merrifield likely aren't expecting much in the way of power from the 34-year-old, so he'll need to provide production in the stolen-base department to remain a viable fantasy asset.

Espinal has been added to the Blue Jays' lineup Thursday against the Tigers.

He will start at third base and bat eighth versus the Tigers and right-hander Spencer Turnbull. Matt Chapman was scratched before first pitch due to a viral illness.