MLB Player News

Lopez went 1-for-3 with a stolen base and a run scored in Saturday's 5-4 win over the Red Sox.

Lopez has seen some increased freedom to run in August -- he's already recorded four steals in six games this month after logging just two thefts in all of July. He's gone 5-for-17 (.294) in August, putting his season slash line at .247/.305/.294 with 11 steals, 13 RBI, 39 runs scored, 11 doubles and two triples through 102 contests. Lopez should continue seeing steady playing time in the middle infield and occasionally at third base as one of the more veteran infielders on the Royals' young roster.

Kemp won't start Saturday's game against the Giants.

Kemp's off day here against Carlos Rodon means he's now been on the bench against the last seven lefties the Athletics have faced. Chad Pinder will get the nod in left field.

Altuve went 3-for-5 with a double, a run scored and an RBI on Friday.

Altuve collected his fourth consecutive multi-hit game and his fifth time in his last six contests. He's hit .520 in that longer span, also chipping in five runs scored and a stolen base. For the season, Altuve is hitting .287/.371/.517 across 396 plate appearances.

Rosario went 1-for-5 with a solo home run in Friday's 9-3 loss to the Astros.

Rosario has gone 6-for-23 (.261) with three homers and a double through five games in August. Considering he entered the month with just four long balls all season, it's a notable power surge for the shortstop. He's slashing .289/.323/.415 with 42 RBI, 59 runs scored and 10 stolen bases through 100 contests.

Espinal went 1-for-2 with a solo home run in Friday's 6-5 extra-inning loss to the Twins.

Espinal's homer was his first since June 30 and his first extra-base hit since July 7. He picked a bad time to go cold -- he's gone 4-for-24 (.167) in his last nine games and no longer has a regular role in the lineup with the Blue Jays adding Whit Merrifield at the trade deadline. For the season, Espinal has a .265/.316/.383 slash line with seven long balls, 41 RBI, 40 runs scored, five stolen bases and 21 doubles, but he'll likely be limited to a bench role when the Blue Jays are at full health.

Lowe went 2-for-4 with a double, three RBI, a run scored and a walk in Friday's 5-3 win over Detroit.

Lowe knocked an RBI single in the sixth inning followed by a two-run double in the eighth to put the Rays ahead. In 15 games since returning from the injured list, the 28-year-old has gone 21-for-60 (.350) with eight extra-base hits and 10 RBI. He improved his season slash line to .258/.328/.472 with 20 extra-base hits through 198 plate appearances.

Arroyo is out of the lineup for Friday's game at Kansas City, Christopher Smith of The Springfield Republican reports.

Arroyo had started all six games since being activated from the injured list July 30 with Trevor Story (wrist) on the shelf, and he'll receive Friday off after going 9-for-21 with two doubles, a triple, two walks and three runs during that stretch. Yolmer Sanchez will start at the keystone and bat ninth.

Gimenez is out of the lineup for Friday's game against the Astros.

Lefty Framber Valdez is pitching for Houston, so Gimenez will step out of the lineup Friday. Tyler Freeman will start at the keystone and bat seventh for Cleveland.

Massey went 1-for-4 with a stolen base in Thursday's 7-3 win over the Red Sox.

Massey has yet to record an extra-base hit in his first five major-league games. He's hit safely in four of them though, going 6-for-15. He will likely get a chance to compete with Nicky Lopez for playing time at second base following Tuesday's trade of Whit Merrifield to Toronto. Massey posted a .312/.371/.523 slash line, 16 home runs, 13 stolen bases, 77 RBI and 57 runs scored across 87 games between Double-A Northwest Arkansas and Triple-A Omaha this year, so it appears his bat is pretty close to major-league ready.

Lopez went 1-for-2 with two walks, two runs and two stolen bases in a 7-3 victory over Boston on Thursday.

Lopez singled and stole second in second inning, walked, stole second and scored in the fifth and walked and scored in the seventh in recording his first game with multiple walks since April 28. The pair of thefts gives Lopez three in four contests to open August, as the 27-year-old has posted a 4-for-11 line with four walks in the stretch. He's slashing .249/.308/.297 with 38 runs, 13 RBI and 10 stolen bases without a home run through 100 games.