-
Christian Arroyo 2B | NYM
Red Sox's Christian Arroyo: Gets start at first
Arroyo started at first base and went 1-for-4 with two RBI in Friday's 9-1 win over Texas.
Arroyo is part of a three-man rotation at first base but is the hottest hitter of the group, which also includes Franchy Cordero and Bobby Dalbec. Eric Hosmer is also in the mix, but he's on the injured list with lingering back scoreless. Conceivably, Arroyo could play a lot at first base over the final month, but the Red Sox may be tempted to call up prospect Triston Casas to give him an introduction to the majors in advance of potentially being the primary first baseman in 2023.
-
Santiago Espinal 3B | TEX
Blue Jays' Santiago Espinal: Hits two-run double
Espinal went 2-for-3 with a two-run double in Friday's 4-0 win over Pittsburgh.
Espinal knocked in Cavan Biggio and Matt Chapman on a double in the fourth inning. They were the only runs of the game until Bo Bichette launched a two-run shot in the ninth. For Espinal, they were his first RBI since Aug. 18. He has had a rough stretch since then, going 3-for-21 until his two-hit outing Friday. The second baseman is slashing .268/.321/.378 on the season.
-
Michael Stefanic 2B | ATH
Angels' Michael Stefanic: Returns to action Friday
Stefanic (back) went 1-for-3 with a double, two walks, a run and an RBI for Triple-A Salt Lake on Friday.
Stefanic missed a few games earlier this week due to back spasms, but he was back as the Bees' designated hitter Friday. The 26-year-old has shown excellent on-base skills in the minors this season, slashing .293/.401/.371 in 68 contests at the Triple-A level. However, he struggled in a 16-game stint in the majors in July, batting a paltry .167 with only one extra-base hit over 42 at-bats.
-
Jose Altuve 2B | HOU
Astros' Jose Altuve: Swipes bag, scores twice
Altuve went 1-for-4 with a stolen base, a walk and two runs scored in Friday's 4-2 win over the Angels.
This was the third straight game in which Altuve has scored two runs as he continues to be effective atop the Astros' order. The steal was his first in over two weeks since he swiped a pair of bags versus the White Sox on Aug. 17. The second baseman is up to 13 steals in 14 attempts while adding 22 home runs, 48 RBI, 78 runs scored and a .286/.374/.512 slash line through 114 contests.
-
Sam Haggerty LF | TEX
Mariners' Sam Haggerty: Steps out of starting nine
Haggerty is out of the lineup for Friday's game against the Guardians, Ryan Divish of The Seattle Times reports.
Haggerty missed a few contests with a finger injury before rejoining the lineup Wednesday, and he'll take a seat Friday after going 2-for-7 with a double, a walk and a run over the past two games. Mitch Haniger will move to right field while Carlos Santana serves as the designated hitter.
-
Jorge Polanco DH | NYM
Twins' Jorge Polanco: Sits fifth straight game
Polanco (kneecap) is not in the lineup Friday against the White Sox.
Friday will mark Polanco's fifth consecutive absence due to left patellar tendinitis. It's possible he will have to spend some time on the injured list if he can't return soon.
-
Owen Miller 2B | CHC
Guardians' Owen Miller: Out of Friday's lineup
Miller is not in the lineup for Friday's game against the Mariners.
Miller is 2-for-12 with five strikeouts over his past five games and will head to the bench for the second time in Cleveland's last four contests. Richie Palacios will bat seventh as the designated hitter Friday.
-
Mark Mathias 2B | CIN
Rangers' Mark Mathias: Out of Friday's lineup
Mathias is out of the lineup for Friday's game at Boston.
Mathias went 1-for-4 with a walk and an RBI in Thursday's series opener versus the Red Sox and will take a seat Friday. Kole Calhoun will serve as the designated hitter while Bubba Thompson starts in left field. Mathias has now sat against three straight right-handed pitchers and could be stuck in a short-side platoon role at DH.
-
Nicky Lopez 2B | TEX
Royals' Nicky Lopez: Out of lineup
Lopez will sit Friday against the Tigers.
Lopez owns a poor .571 OPS since the start of August, though that's barely a downgrade from the .584 OPS he posted through the end of July. He continues to start regularly thanks to his glove, but it will be Bobby Witt who slides to shortstop Friday, with Hunter Dozier entering the lineup at third base.
-
Harold Castro 2B | KC
Tigers' Harold Castro: Steps out of lineup
Castro is not in the lineup for Friday's game versus Kansas City.
Castro started Detroit's last 10 games and will head to the bench after he posted a .603 OPS during that stretch. Spencer Torkelson will start at first base and bat seventh Friday.