MLB Player News

Espinal (side) isn't starting Thursday against the Rays.

Espinal exited Wednesday's matchup against Philadelphia due to left side discomfort, and he'll be out of the lineup for at least one game. Cavan Biggio will take his place at the keystone and bat ninth.

Altuve (elbow) isn't in the lineup Thursday against Baltimore.

Altuve was removed from Wednesday's game after being hit in the elbow by a pitch, and he'll be held out of the lineup a day later. However, he underwent X-rays that came back negative and expects to play Friday against the Orioles, per Danielle Lerner of the Houston Chronicle. Aledmys Diaz will draw the start at the keystone and bat seventh Thursday.

Diaz went 2-for-2 with a walk and a run in a win over the Mariners on Wednesday.

The rookie drew the start at designated hitter and made good use of all three of his plate appearances. Diaz, who made his big-league debut Sunday, has enjoyed varying degree of success in each of the three games he's played thus far, going 3-for-9 with Wednesday's walk and two total runs in that span.

Massey is not in Thursday's lineup against the Twins.

Massey is hitting .255 with one home run and one stolen base in 15 games this month. Nicky Lopez is starting at the keystone and hitting eighth.

Gimenez went 2-for-4 with two RBI and a run scored in Wednesday's win over the White Sox.

Gimenez tallied a pair of RBI singles, both off starter Lance Lynn. The second baseman has recorded multiple hits in four of his last nine games and has a .344/.417/.469 slash line during that stretch.

Torres went 3-for-4 with two home runs, five RBI and four runs scored in Wednesday's 14-2 victory over the Pirates.

The 25-year-old continued his torrid stretch and is now riding a 10-game hit streak, during which he is batting .400 (18-for-45) with four home runs, 10 runs scored and 14 RBI. The stretch has improved his slash line from .236/.289/.414 to .252/.304/.445 on the season.

Espinal was removed from Wednesday's game early due to left side discomfort.

Cavan Biggio came in to pinch hit for Espinal in the seventh inning. More updates will come on Espinal's status once the Blue Jays are able to get a better look at him.

Altuve left Wednesday's game early after being hit in the elbow by a pitch, Danielle Lerner of the Houston Chronicle reports.

Altuve stayed in the game briefly after being hit by a pitch in the fifth inning, but he was eventually replaced by Mauricio Dubon in the sixth. The Astros will take a look at Altuve's elbow and provide further updates once they receive results. For now, he should be considered day-to-day.

Stefanic is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Rangers, Jeff Fletcher of The Orange County Register reports.

Stefanic will sit for the third game in a row and appears to have lost out on an everyday role in the middle infield to fellow rookie Livan Soto. The 26-year-old rookie has gotten off to a disappointing start to his big-league career, producing a .459 OPS through his first 57 plate appearances with the Angels.

The Guardians designated Clement for assignment Wednesday.

Clement was moved off the 40-man roster in order for the Guardians to clear up a spot for rookie outfielder Will Brennan, whose contract was selected from Triple-A Columbus. While filling a utility role for Cleveland this season, Clement had seen action in 64 games and produced a .200/.264/.221 slash line over 161 plate appearances.