MLB Player News

Lopez went 1-for-3 with a pair of walks, a stolen base and two runs scored in Friday's 11-6 win over Minnesota.

The shortstop has hit safely in 24 of his last 26 games, posting a scorching .352/.388/.463 slash line in that span. Lopez has finished strong in an impressive and unexpectedly successful 2021. He owns a .301/.366/.380 line with 22 stolen bases, two home runs, 43 RBI, 78 runs scored and six triples through 149 contests overall as Kansas City's everyday No. 2 hitter.

Merrifield went 3-for-4 with a walk, an RBI and two runs scored in Friday's 11-6 win over Minnesota.

Across his last nine games, the second baseman is batting .314 (11-for-35). Merrifield hasn't attempted a stolen base since Sept. 11, and he hasn't successfully notched a theft since Sept. 8. He's slashing .279/.319/.397 with 40 steals, 10 home runs, 74 RBI and 97 runs scored across 711 plate appearances, and he's on track to play in every game for the third straight season.

Gimenez went 1-for-3 with a stolen base and a run scored in Friday's 9-6 win over Texas.

The infielder has made a strong impression to close out 2021, batting .375 with three home runs, seven RBI, six runs scored and a steal in his last 11 games. Gimenez has been limited to a strong-side platoon role at second base since his call-up in August. He's posted a .220/.282/.357 slash line with five homers, 16 RBI, 23 runs scored and 11 steals in 203 plate appearances. Gimenez could enter 2022 as Cleveland's top option at the keystone, but he'll need to hit better than his .171/.216/.314 slash line this year against southpaws to be a true everyday option.

Kemp went 2-for-3 with an RBI ground-rule double, a walk, a stolen base and a run in a win over the Astros on Friday.

Kemp continued his torrid stretch at the plate with his fourth multi-hit effort in the last seven games, a stretch during which he's hit .417 (10-for-24) with Friday's double, a home run and four RBI. The veteran's late-season tear now has his slash line sitting at an impressive .270/.378/.404, with all three figures qualifying as new career bests.

Miller was placed on the bereavement list Friday.

The timing of the transaction ends Miller's season, as there are just three days remaining on the schedule. Miller will close his rookie campaign having hit .204/.243/.309 across 60 games. James Karinchak was called up to take his place on the roster.

Jones will be on the bench Friday against Toronto, Roch Kubatko of MASNSports.com reports.

Jones has now started every other game at second base for the last nine games. Pat Valaika starts at the keystone Friday, but Jones should return Saturday if the pattern continues.

Altuve will sit Friday against Oakland, Chandler Rome of the Houston Chronicle reports.

The Astros elected to rest several regulars after clinching the division title Thursday. Marwin Gonzalez starts at second base in Altuve's place.

Hernandez will sit Friday against Cleveland.

Hernandez's off days typically comes against lefties, but he'll sit here against righty Eli Morgan. Andy Ibanez starts at third base.

Lowe will sit Friday against the Yankees, Neil Solondz of the Rays Radio Network reports.

Lowe sits with lefty Nestor Cortes on the mound for New York, though the Rays have let him face most southpaws this season, so this could just be a routine off day. Joey Wendle, another left-handed hitter, will start at second base.

Torres went 1-for-4 with a two-run home run Thursday against the Blue Jays.

Torres was one of three Yankees to homer in the sixth inning. He now has nine home runs on the season, three of which have come in last 17 starts. In that same span, he's also collected eight RBI and scored 11 runs. This hot stretch has bumped Torres' line to .261/.333/.368 across 504 plate appearances on the campaign.