MLB Player News

Lopez will lead off for the first time this season Thursday against the Twins, Alec Lewis of The Athletic reports.

Bobby Witt was bumped down to seventh in the order, so Lopez will take the leadoff spot against righty Joe Ryan while Whit Merrifield hits second. Lopez is hitting .367/.406/.467 with zero home runs and zero steals this season.

Torres is on the bench for Thursday's game against Detroit.

Torres was on the bench for Opening Day before starting nine straight games, though he's now returned to the bench for two of the last three contests. He certainly hasn't hit as though he deserves an everyday role, as he's slashing .143/.205/.286 through 40 plate appearances. DJ LeMahieu starts at second base Thursday.

Arroyo is starting in right field and batting ninth Thursday against the Blue Jays.

This is his fifth start of the season in right field, which is enough to gain outfield eligibility in some formats. He'll start for Enrique Hernandez, who is getting the day off, while Jackie Bradley slides over to center field. Arroyo is hitting .182 with one run and two RBI through eight games.

Hernandez will get his first day off of the season Thursday against the Blue Jays.

Trevor Story will ascend to the leadoff spot while Jackie Bradley shifts to center field and Christian Arroyo starts in right field. Hernandez is hitting .157/.246/.333 with one home run and a 12:6 K:BB in 51 at-bats.

Frazier went 3-for-4 with two doubles, a walk, a stolen base and a run in Wednesday's 4-2 win over the Rangers.

Frazier got things going for the Mariners' offense from the leadoff spot, notching his fourth multi-hit game of the season and collecting his first theft. He also drew his second walk of the campaign and extended his modest hitting steak to five games. Over that stretch, he is batting .524 (11-for-21) with three doubles, four runs and five RBI.

Ibanez isn't starting Wednesday against the Mariners.

Ibanez will get a day off after he went 0-for-6 with three strikeouts in his last two appearances. Brad Miller will shift to third base while Willie Calhoun starts in left field.

Mayfield is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Astros.

Mayfield drew starts in the infield over the past three contests and went a collective 4-for-12 to extend his hitting streak to seven games dating back to Opening Day. Despite his solid production at the plate when called upon this season, Mayfield looks set to remain in a utility role. Third baseman Anthony Rendon is healthy again after a recent bout with an illness, and Tyler Wade and Andrew Velazquez appear to be manager Joe Maddon's preferred options in the middle infield over Mayfield.

The Astros placed Altuve (hamstring) on the 10-day injured list Wednesday.

Though general manager James Click relayed earlier Wednesday that imaging conducted on Altuve's strained left hamstring didn't reveal anything overly concerning, the 31-year-old will still be deactivated for at least the next week and a half while he waits for his left leg to fully heal. Click suggested a minimum-length IL stay could be in play for Altuve, but that will likely be contingent on the seven-time All-Star being able to run the bases and field his position without any discomfort within the next few days. The Astros will likely lean on a combination of Aledmys Diaz and Niko Goodrum to pick up starts at the keystone while Altuve is on the mend.

Arraez isn't starting Wednesday's game against the Royals.

Arraez will be idle for the second time in the last three games since left-hander Daniel Lynch is starting for Kansas City on Wednesday. Ryan Jeffers will serve as the designated hitter and bat eighth.

Altuve (hamstring) will remain out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Angels, Danielle Lerner of the Houston Chronicle reports.

Altuve's absence from the lineup for the second day in a row was fully expected after general manager James Click told SportsTalk 790 Houston earlier Wednesday that the 2017 American League MVP could require a brief stint on the injured list, even though an MRI on his strained left hamstring Tuesday revealed "really good results." Aledmys Diaz filled in for Altuve in Tuesday's 7-2 loss, and he and Niko Goodrum will likely end up seeing most of the work at the keystone if Altuve is forced to the IL.