MLB Player News

Merrifield said Monday that he's dealing with swelling and a bone bruise to a ligament in his right big toe and is hopeful to return to the Kansas City lineup following the All-Star break, Lynn Worthy of The Kansas City Star reports.

The Royals delayed placing Merrifield on the 10-day injured list ahead of Monday's doubleheader with the Tigers, but a transaction could come later in the day or Tuesday, given that he's ruling himself out for the entirety of the team's eight-game week. Merrifield noted that a team doctor recommended wearing a walking boot to protect the injured toe, so he could be several days away from resuming on-field activities. Nicky Lopez is expected to serve as the primary replacement at second base while Merrifield is sidelined, paving the way for Emmanuel Rivera to play regularly at third base. Merrifield's absence from the lineup for the front end of Monday's doubleheader ends a streak of 553 games played.

Merrifield (toe) won't play in either end of Monday's doubleheader with the Tigers, Alec Lewis of The Athletic reports.

For the first time in 553 games, Merrifield will not be in the starting lineup for the Royals as he nurses a ligament injury to his right big toe. Merrifield owns a .240 average with five homers, 36 RBI, 45 runs and 14 stolen bases over 338 at-bats in 84 games this season.

Manager Mike Matheny said after Sunday's win over the Guardians that Merrifield (toe) had X-rays come back negative and is now awaiting the results of an MRI, Bally Sports Kansas City reports.

Merrifield went 0-for-2 with a strikeout before exiting Sunday's contest after the fourth inning with right toe discomfort. The 33-year-old's availability for Monday's doubleheader against the Tigers is up in the air until the MRI results are returned.

Torres is not in the lineup for Sunday's game at Boston.

Torres started the past six games and will take a seat after posting a .915 OPS during that stretch. DJ LeMahieu will shift to second base while Matt Carpenter enters the lineup as the designated hitter.

Dubon is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Athletics.

With Jeremy Pena (illness) checking back into the lineup for the series finale, Dubon's four-game run in the starting nine will come to an end. Houston moved designated hitter Yordan Alvarez (hand) to the 10-day injured list Sunday, but Aledmys Diaz looks like the first man up to replace Alvarez in the everyday lineup.

Merrifield was removed from Sunday's game against the Guardians due to right toe discomfort, Alec Lewis of The Athletic reports.

Merrifield went 0-for-2 with a strikeout Sunday and was replaced in the field for the top of the fifth inning. The severity of the injury remains unclear, and he should be considered day-to-day as he continues to be evaluated.

Andrus is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Astros, Matt Kawahara of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.

Andrus started the past six games and will head to the bench after going 4-for-17 with two doubles, two home runs, five RBI and three runs scored. Nick Allen will shift to shortstop Sunday.

Gimenez is out of the lineup for Sunday's game at Kansas City.

Gimenez has a .630 OPS through seven contests in July and will take a seat Sunday for the second time in the past four games. Owen Miller will start at the keystone and bat seventh in the series finale.

Hernandez (hip) had his rehabilitation assignment paused Saturday, Chris Cotillo of MassLive.com reports.

Hernandez began the rehab assignment Friday night, serving as the designated hitter for Triple-A Worcester, and felt tightness following the game. That prompted the organization to halt his rehab and send Hernandez to Boston for treatment. Red Sox manager Alex Cora said Hernandez is unlikely to play Sunday.

Semien went 2-for-4 with a triple, a home run, four RBI and two runs scored in Saturday's victory over the Twins.

Semien was productive Saturday, launching a three-run shot in the fourth inning and an RBI triple in the eighth. He has 10 hits -- including three homers -- in eight July games, giving him a .294/.333/.618 slash line. The second baseman has looked much better in June and July after struggling in April and May. Semien's season batting average sits at .238 to go along with 11 home runs and 14 steals.