MLB Player News

Gimenez went 3-for-4 with a solo home run, a stolen base and an additional run scored during Friday's 6-3 loss to the Red Sox.

Gimenez entered Friday's contest with a .322/.394/.492 slash line through 17 games in June, and he only improved those numbers during the loss to Boston. Overall this year the 23-year-old has an .869 OPS with eight home runs, 34 RBI, 24 runs and six stolen bases in 57 contests.

Biggio went 2-for-2 with a solo home run, two walks and two total runs scored in Friday's 9-4 win over the Brewers.

Biggio padded the Blue Jays' lead with his seventh-inning solo shot. While he's struggled to produce at the plate, there's been signs of life lately for the infielder, as he's gone 5-for-7 across his last three games with both of his homers on the year in that span. He's lifted his slash line to .220/.373/.390 with 10 RBI, 14 runs scored and a stolen base through 103 plate appearances, though he'll have to sustain this small hot streak to regain a regular role in the lineup.

Arroyo went 3-for-4 with a two-run home run and an additional RBI during Friday's 6-3 win at Cleveland.

Arroyo rejoined the lineup Friday after spending the past week-plus on the COVID-19 injured list, and he came up with the bases loaded in his first plate appearance only to be hit by a pitch. The 27-year-old then delivered a two-run homer during the seventh inning to give the Red Sox the lead for good. Arroyo started at shortstop Friday with Xander Bogaerts receiving a rest day, but he's likely to see more time in the outfield while Enrique Hernandez (hip) remains on the injured list.

Polanco (back) is expected to resume participating in baseball activities Friday, and manager Rocco Baldelli hopes the second baseman will be activated from the 10-day injured list during the upcoming series in Cleveland, which begins Monday, Do-Hyoung Park of MLB.com reports.

The 28-year-old was eligible to return from the injured list Thursday, and it appears his activation is on the horizon. Polanco may not require a minor-league rehab assignment before being reinstated if his return to baseball activities goes well this weekend.

Lopez will sit Friday against Oakland, Anne Rogers of MLB.com reports.

Lopez finds himself on the bench for the third time in five games. All three absences, including Friday's game against Cole Irvin, have come against lefties, so it looks like he may be slipping into the strong side of a platoon. Whit Merrifield will be the second baseman Friday while Emmanuel Rivera starts at third.

Arroyo was reinstated from the COVID-19 injured list Friday.

Arroyo will return to the team ahead of their three game series against the Guardians, rejoining the squad after being placed on the COVID-19 IL on June 15. The 27-year-old has struggled in the month of June, going 2-for-16 with a double, an RBI, two runs and two stolen bases over 16 at-bats in seven games. With the Red Sox next series being in Toronto, Arroyo may be asked to step into a larger role due to the unvaccinated status of some of his teammates.

Sosa went 0-for-1 with a walk Thursday against the Orioles.

Sosa entered in the sixth inning to make his major-league debut after Josh Harrison (elbow) exited the game. Sosa struck out on four pitches in his first at-bat, but he managed a nine-pitch walk in the following plate appearance. Prior to his promotion, Sosa hit .331/.384/.549 with 14 home runs across 289 plate appearances with Double-A Birmingham.

Arroyo (illness) is expected to be activated off the COVID-19 injured list Friday, Christopher Smith of MassLive.com reports.

Arroyo went 0-for-6 on his rehab assignment at Triple-A Worcester, serving as a designated hitter Tuesday then moving to shortstop Wednesday. With Enrique Hernandez slow to recover from a hip injury, there could be an opening for Arroyo in the outfield, particularly if Hernandez can't make it back in time for next week's series in Toronto. The Red Sox will be without Jarren Duran, who is unvaccinated against COVID-19, and short on outfielders for their road trip across the border.

Altuve went 3-for-4 with a pair of doubles, two runs scored and a hit by pitch in Thursday's 7-6 loss to the Yankees.

Altuve was plunked to start the game, and he would come around to score on an Alex Bregman home run. The second baseman added a single and another run in the third after a Yordan Alvarez blast. With six runs scored in his last four games, Altuve is doing a good job of setting the table atop the Astros' order. The 32-year-old is slashing .278/.354/.524 with 13 homers, 24 RBI, 37 runs scored, three stolen bases and 13 doubles in 54 contests this year.

Sosa isn't included in the lineup for Thursday's game against the Orioles.

Fresh off his promotion from Double-A Birmingham earlier Thursday, Sosa could be eased into the majors as a reserve option. The 22-year-old is an intriguing prospect who looks ready for a stiffer test after turning in a .933 OPS in 289 plate appearances at Birmingham, but he may have to settle for a utility role initially while manager Tony La Russa turns to a combination of Josh Harrison, Leury Garcia and Jake Burger to handle reps at second base and third base. Neither Harrison (.611 OPS) nor Garcia (.456 OPS) have been especially impressive, however, so Sosa may not have to wait long to get an opportunity.