MLB Player News

Arraez (illness) is starting at second base and batting leadoff Sunday against the Diamondbacks, Aaron Gleeman of The Athletic reports.

The 25-year-old was removed from Saturday's contest while feeling under the weather, but he's apparently feeling better since he's back in the lineup for Sunday's series finale. Arraez is enjoying a strong June as he has a .396/.458/.528 slash line with two home runs, nine RBI and 11 runs through 14 games.

Biggio is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Yankees.

Biggio will head to the bench after going hitless in 10 at-bats while starting each of the past three contests. Until the Blue Jays bring Danny Jansen (finger) back from the 10-day injured list, Biggio, Gabriel Moreno and Raimel Tapia look like they'll have to battle for one spot in Toronto's everyday lineup.

Torres will start at second base and bat fifth in Sunday's game against the Blue Jays.

Torres doesn't have a direct path to an everyday role at present, but he should continue to pick up a handful of starts per week while manager Aaron Boone rotates off days among the Yankees' regular infielders (Anthony Rizzo, Josh Donaldson, Isiah Kiner-Falefa and DJ LeMahieu). It's Rizzo who takes a seat Sunday to clear room in the lineup for Torres, who gets his third straight start after going 4-for-8 with three doubles, five runs and an RBI in the first two contests of the series in Toronto.

Manager Rocco Baldelli said after Saturday's 11-1 win over the Diamondbacks that Arraez was removed in the fifth inning since he was feeling under the weather, Betsy Helfand of the St. Paul Pioneer Press reports.

The early exit didn't prevent Arraez from turning in another useful line for fantasy managers, as he delivered a pair of base hits, a single and two runs across his three plate appearances. The Twins will check back in with Arraez early Sunday before deciding if he'll be part of the lineup for the series finale in Arizona.

Frazier will be on the bench for the afternoon portion of Saturday's doubleheader against the Angels.

The Mariners figure to rest a good number of their regulars in one of the day's two games. Frazier's off days typically come against lefties, but the Angels will send out southpaws (Patrick Sandoval and Jose Suarez) in both halves of the doubleheader, so Frazier could have hit the bench in either contest. Abraham Toro will take over at second base in his absence.

Castro isn't in the lineup for Saturday's game against Texas.

Castro went 0-for-11 with two strikeouts over the last three games and will get a rare day off Saturday. Kody Clemens will take over at the hot corner and bat ninth.

Andrus went 2-for-4 with a run in a loss to the Royals on Friday.

The veteran authored the only multi-hit effort in yet another low-scoring loss for the Athletics. Andrus hadn't mustered two hits in a game since June 1, and his productive night Friday snapped an 0-for-15 skid that encompassed his previous four games.

Merrifield went 3-for-5 with a stolen base and a run scored in Friday's 5-1 win over the Athletics.

Merrifield entered Friday just 2-for-14 in his last four contests. The 33-year-old also picked up his first steal since May 23, giving him eight thefts in nine attempts this year. He's still managed a rather mediocre .232/.270/.317 slash line with three home runs, 27 RBI, 31 runs scored and 13 doubles across 282 plate appearances, though he remains locked in as the Royals' leadoff hitter.

Mayfield was recalled from Triple-A Salt Lake on Friday and will bat ninth and play third base against the Mariners.

Mayfield was optioned Friday but is back less than a week later with Anthony Rendon shut down for season-ending wrist surgery. Mayfield has slashed .194/.239/.284 in 22 games this season, which doesn't make a case for regular playing time, but he could start at the hot corner against lefties such as Friday's starter Robbie Ray.

Kemp isn't starting Friday's game against the Royals.

Kemp will be out of the lineup for a second consecutive game since left-hander Daniel Lynch is on the mound for the Royals on Friday. Jonah Bride is shifting to the keystone while Matt Davidson starts at third base.