MLB Player News

Espinal is out of the lineup Friday against the Tigers.

Espinal started the past four games and will take a seat after going 3-for-13 with a run and a stolen base. Kevin Smith will cover the hot corner in his absence Friday.

Miller went 2-for-5 with a solo home run during Thursday's win over the Rangers.

Miller swatted a 350-footer against Dennis Santana in the fifth inning. The long ball was the third of the year for the 24-year-old, who has struggled at the plate this season to the tune of a .175/.231/.275 batting line across 39 games, though he does have three multi-hit appearances since Aug. 15.

Torres (thumb) could start a rehab assignment Sunday, Brendan Kuty of The Newark Star-Ledger reports.

Torres has been working out at Double-A Somerset, though it's not necessarily clear that's where he'll begin the rehab stint. Regardless, this is a positive step as it appears Torres hasn't felt lingering pain or experienced a setback with his injury despite ramping up activity. A return in early September remains realistic.

Clement was placed on the injured list with an undisclosed injury Thursday, Tom Withers of the Associated Press reports.

The roster move didn't include an injury designation, so Clement may have been placed on the COVID-19 IL. If that's the case he'll be eligible to rejoin the active roster once he clears the health and safety protocols.

Polanco isn't starting Thursday's game against the Red Sox.

Polanco will get a rare day off after he hit .351 with three homers, two doubles, 13 RBI, five runs and a stolen base across the last eight games. Luis Arraez will shift to the keystone while Willians Astudillo starts at third base.

Hernandez isn't starting Thursday's game against Cleveland.

Hernandez doubled in Wednesday's loss to Cleveland, but he'll head to the bench for the second time in the last three games. Ryan Dorow will start at the hot corner and bat ninth.

Mendick was optioned by the White Sox on Thursday.

Mendick retreated to the bench Wednesday as Tim Anderson returned from a four-game absence due to a hamstring injury. He'll now exit the roster entirely as the White Sox clear a spot for Carlos Rodon (shoulder) to return from the injured list. It's possible Mendick returns when rosters expand in September, as he gives the White Sox cover at several positions off the bench, but his .217/.306/.289 slash line through 66 games this season indicates that he's unlikely to find himself receiving regular at-bats.

Merrifield went 2-for-5 with a grand slam and a double in Wednesday's loss to Houston.

The second baseman's long ball with the bases loaded in the seventh inning gave the Royals a two-run lead, but the Astros rallied and eventually pulled out the win. Merrifield's homer was his first since June 30 -- a span of 47 games. However, he racked up 15 thefts over that span and ranks second in the majors with 37 stolen bases on the season.

Lowe went 1-for-5 with a solo home run Wednesday against the Phillies.

Lowe ripped his 30th homer of the season off Zack Wheeler in the fifth inning. He continues to swing an incredibly hot bat, as he now has eight home runs, 24 RBI and 20 runs scored since Aug. 1. In that same span, he's struck out at only a 21.9 percent clip, a significant reduction from his season-long rate of 28.5 percent. Overall, Lowe maintains a .235/.339/.502 line with 77 runs scored and 76 RBI across 492 plate appearances.

Hernandez went 3-for-6 with a solo home run, a double and two total runs scored in Wednesday's 9-6 extra-inning loss to Minnesota.

The utility man remains hot at the plate, going 17-for-47 (.362) with two home runs, eight RBI and 14 runs scored since Aug. 11. Hernandez's homer Wednesday was a little too late, as it was the last run Boston mustered while trying to come back from a five-run deficit in the 10th inning. Hernandez is slashing .258/.345/.467 with 17 homers, 51 RBI, 69 runs scored and a stolen base through 478 plate appearances.