MLB Player News

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.

Lowe went 2-for-4 with a home run, two RBI and two runs scored in Thursday's victory over the Red Sox.

The 28-year-old tied the game 3-3 in the fifth inning with an RBI single off Richard Bleier. Lowe then extended Tampa's lead to 9-3 in the seventh with a solo home run -- his fifth of the season, all of which have come in his past six games. He has gotten off to a fast start this year, going 11-for-33 with 12 runs and 12 RBI.

Julien is starting at second base and batting leadoff for the Twins on Thursday against the Yankees.

Julien went 0-for-2 with a walk from the eight spot in his major-league debut Wednesday but will move to the top of the order for this one. His on-base skills make him a natural long-term fit at leadoff for the Twins, although we wouldn't necessarily count on it being a regular occurrence right away.

Torres (hip) is back in the Yankees' lineup Thursday against the Twins.

Torres tweaked his hip flexor Tuesday and didn't start Wednesday, although he entered the game as a pinch runner. He'll start at second base and hit leadoff against Minnesota righty Joe Ryan.

Sosa went 1-for-4 with a solo home run Wednesday against the Twins.

He was recalled from Triple-A Charlotte on Tuesday after Tim Anderson (knee) went down. Sosa drew his first start Wednesday and took Jhoan Duran yard in the ninth inning to tally his first homer of the season and second of his career. Sosa was off to a hot start with Charlotte before the promotion, and he should mix into the starting lineup at second base and shortstop along with Elvis Andrus and Romy Gonzalez so long as Anderson is sidelined.

Rosario went 1-for-5 with a solo home run in Wednesday's 4-3 loss to the Yankees.

Rosario has struggled at the plate this season, hitting just .204 through 12 contests. His homer Wednesday was his first of the season, and he's added three stolen bases, four RBI and five runs scored. Despite the poor hitting, he's remained in the No. 2 hole in the lineup when he plays. Andres Gimenez was in that spot when Rosario got a day off Tuesday. Myles Straw's also been good early on and could also move up the lineup if manager Terry Francona mixes things up.

Lowe is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Red Sox, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Lowe will get a day of rest after going 2-for-4 with a double and a solo home run in Tuesday's victory. In Lowe's stead, Vidal Brujan will handle second base and hit ninth against Red Sox lefty Chris Sale.

Arroyo is out of the starting lineup for Wednesday's game against the Rays, Julian McWilliams of The Boston Globe reports.

Arroyo has struggled to a .176 average and .428 OPS to open the year, and he'll get a day of rest against the Rays with Yu Chang getting the start at second base and hitting seventh.

Torres (hip) is available to play Wednesday versus the Guardians, though he isn't included in the starting lineup, Pete Caldera of The Bergen Record reports.

Torres exited Tuesday's victory early with hip flexor tightness. Oswaldo Cabrera will take over at second base and bat sixth against Cleveland while Torres is expected to be able to pinch hit if needed.