MLB Player News

Andrus, who went 2-for-3 with an RBI double in a loss to the Twins on Monday, is hitting .467 (7-for-15) with an RBI, two walks and a run in the last five games.

The brief but impressive surge has quickly boosted the veteran shortstop's average from .183 to .231. Andrus' hot streak is reminiscent of his much longer breakout in 2021 following a similarly dreadful start, one that saw him furnish a .273 average and .325 on-base percentage over his final 100 games after carrying .174 and .219 figures in those categories as late as May 24.

The Orioles optioned Bannon to Triple-A Norfolk on Tuesday, Andy Kostka of The Baltimore Sun reports.

With outfielder Austin Hays (hand) returning to the lineup for Tuesday's game against the Yankees and infielder Jorge Mateo (shoulder/chest) perhaps in line to start Wednesday, manager Brandon Hyde said getting an extra arm in the bullpen was a greater priority than keeping Bannon around as position-player depth. Reliever Logan Gillaspie was called up from Norfolk to replace Bannon, who appeared in four games and went 2-for-14 with five strikeouts during his brief time in the big leagues.

Rengifo (elbow) is starting at second base and batting sixth Tuesday against the Rangers, Jeff Fletcher of The Orange County Register reports.

Rengifo has been sidelined the past few days by a bruised elbow, but he'll retake the field for Tuesday's matchup with Texas. The 25-year-old is 4-for-14 with a double and three runs through seven games this season.

Lowe said Tuesday that he was diagnosed with a stress reaction in his lower back and won't be available to resume baseball activities for at least three weeks, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Even if Lowe is cleared for baseball activities in the first week of June once he's re-evaluated, he'll more than likely require at least one more week beyond that to regain his conditioning as well as his timing at the plate, so fantasy managers should probably plan on his absence extending until at least mid-June. Tampa Bay called up Isaac Paredes from Triple-A Durham after Lowe was placed on the 10-day injured list Monday, and Paredes and Vidal Brujan could stand to benefit the most from a playing-time perspective while the 27-year-old is on the shelf.

Brujan went 1-for-4 and was caught stealing Monday against the Tigers.

Brujan should be locked into a consistent role at second base with Brandon Lowe (back) on the injured list. Brujan hit fifth Monday, and his lone knock was a single to lead off the seventh frame. Earlier in the contest, he had reached base on a fielder's choice and was caught attempting to steal for the second time this season. He's now just 1-for-3 on the basepaths, a concerning trend given that stolen bases are his primary path to fantasy value. Brujan has done little else of note with his playing time, posting just a .143/.182/.238 line across 22 plate appearances. On the positive side, he has maintained a 9.1 percent strikeout rate.

Castro went 1-for-4 with a solo home run in Monday's win over the Rays.

The home run, Castro's first of the season, came at a great time, as it put the Tigers ahead 3-2 in the top of the ninth inning. The utility player is a solid contact hitter, as evidenced by his .306 batting average, but he's never provided much pop. Castro's career high for home runs in a season is five, which he recorded back in 2019. He had just three long balls in 106 games last year.

Biggio was activated from the COVID-19 injured list Monday and optioned to Triple-A Buffalo.

Biggio hit just .043/.214/.043 in 13 games prior to his absence. With Santiago Espinal emerging as an everyday second baseman, Biggio no longer has a starting spot available, though it's still somewhat surprising that his defensive versatility didn't earn him a bench role. It may take an injury ahead of him for Biggio to return to the big leagues.

Lowe (back) hit the injured list as expected Monday, Neil Solondz of the Rays Radio Network reports.

Lowe was left out of the lineup for Monday's game against the Tigers, with reports emerging that a trip to the injured list was considered likely. Whether or not he'll have a shot to return in the minimum 10 days is not yet clear. Isaac Paredes was recalled to take his place on the roster and could spend some time at second base, while Vidal Brujan is also a candidate for an increased role.

Frazier will sit Monday against the Blue Jays.

Frazier off day comes against lefty Yusei Kikuchi, but he doesn't appear to be at risk of slipping into a platoon role. He'd started against six of the nine southpaws Seattle faced prior to Monday's contest. Abraham Toro will take over at second base in his absence.

Rays manager Kevin Cash said Monday that Lowe is dealing with a lower-back issue and will likely be placed on the 10-day injured list, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

The injury explains why Lowe isn't in the lineup Monday against the Tigers and likely explains why he was scratched for undisclosed reasons ahead of Saturday's loss to the Blue Jays. The severity of the issue isn't yet clear, but the Rays should have more information on that front after Lowe visits a doctor Monday, according to Topkin. The Rays plan to call up Isaac Paredes from Triple-A Durham to replace Lowe on the 26-man active roster, but because Paredes isn't scheduled to arrive in Tampa Bay until Tuesday, the team is expected to wait a day before officially deactivating Lowe.