MLB Player News

Hernandez went 1-for-3 with a two-run home run and two walks in Friday's 7-2 win over the Diamondbacks.

Hernandez's fourth-inning blast snapped a 26-game homer drought. He hit .260 with six doubles in that span. The 31-year-old is up to four homers, 19 RBI, 25 runs scored, two stolen bases and a .238/.306/.366 slash line through 46 contests overall. He's seen consistent time at shortstop with Yu Chang (wrist) and Christian Arroyo (hamstring) both unavailable, and Hernandez could keep the position even when his injured teammates are ready to return.

Polanco (hamstring) hit on the field before Friday's game, Betsy Helfand of the St. Paul Pioneer Press reports.

It's the first sign of progress for Polanco since he went on the injured list May 20. His timeline to return isn't clear, but it doesn't look like he'll be ready when eligible May 30. He'll likely need to show he can run at full speed before the Twins decide on the next steps.

Rosario went 1-for-3 with a three-run double and a walk in Friday's win over the Cardinals.

Rosario's three-run double in the fifth inning proved to be the game-winning hit Friday. He turned in his first multi-RBI performance since April 3 after totaling just three RBI over his prior 13 games. Rosario has gone 6-for-43 (.140) over his last 11 games, sinking his slash line to .239/.280/.333 with 11 extra-base hits and 13 RBI through 193 plate appearances.

Altuve (illness) is back in the lineup Friday against the Athletics.

Altuve sat out of Wednesday's series finale in Milwaukee after making an early exit from Tuesday's game because of an illness, but he's ready to rock for Friday night's series opener in Oakland. He'll start at second base and bat leadoff versus the A's and right-hander James Kaprielian.

Espinal (hamstring) took live batting practice Friday, Arden Zwelling of Sportsnet.ca reports.

Espinal is working out at the Blue Jays' player development complex in Florida as he recovers from the right hamstring strain he suffered May 20 against the Orioles. He still has a lot of hurdles to clear, including agility drills and running, but the 28-year-old could feasibly be ready to return to Toronto's active roster in the early part of June.

Caballero is not in the lineup Friday versus the Pirates.

Kolten Wong will start at second base and bat ninth with right-hander Mitch Keller on the mound for Pittsburgh. Caballero has slashed .300/.475/.467 in 40 plate appearances against lefties but just .258/.324/.387 in 37 plate appearances against righties.

Massey isn't starting Friday against the Nationals.

With southpaw Patrick Corbin slated to take the mound for Washington, the left-handed bat of Massey will begin Friday's contest in the dugout. Matt Duffy will take over as the Royals' second baseman and bat leadoff.

Ortiz was optioned to Triple-A Norfolk on Friday, Rich Dubroff of BaltimoreBaseball.com reports.

Ortiz will return to Norfolk after he went 5-for-19 with a double, three runs scored and six strikeouts over eight games following his call-up May 14. Ramon Urias (hamstring) was activated from the 10-day injured list Friday and will replace Ortiz on the major-league roster.

Frazier is in the leadoff spot for Thursday's game against the Yankees, Roch Kubatko of MASNSports.com reports.

It's the first time this season batting higher than fifth in the order for Frazier, who's coming into this one hitting .342/.357/.634 with three home runs over his last 11 games. The team's normal leadoff man against righties, Cedric Mullins, is getting a day off.

Haggerty went 1-for-3 with a two-run double, a walk and a run in an win over the Athletics on Wednesday.

The valued utility asset slotted into the No. 9 hole in place of Ty France (wrist) and delivered nicely, doubling home the first two runs of the game for Seattle in the fourth inning. Haggerty has scuffled at the plate all season and is carrying a .162 average and .478 OPS across his first 42 plate appearances, but the unusual combination of an especially low .222 BABIP and elevated 25.9 percent line-drive rate imply he's had his fair share of bad luck when putting the ball in play. With France potentially set to miss "a few days" per the team's official site, Haggerty could be in line for at least another spot start or two.