MLB Player News

Lowe is out of the lineup for Monday's game against the Tigers, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

After being a late scratch ahead of Saturday's 5-1 loss to the Blue Jays due to an unspecified injury or illness, Lowe checked back into the lineup for Sunday's series finale and went 1-for-4 with a run scored. However, Lowe was used as a designated hitter in that contest rather than his usual spot at second base, implying that he wasn't fully healthy. Lowe is back on the bench Monday for the second time in three days, but the Rays haven't suggested he experienced any sort of setback following Sunday's 3-0 win. Even so, fantasy managers in shallower leagues in particular may be enticed to turn to other options this week, especially with the knowledge that Lowe will start in only five games at a maximum.

Lopez is not in the lineup for Monday's game against the White Sox.

Lopez sits for just the third time this season. He's been very disappointing at the plate thus far, hitting .190/.283/.220, and he's stolen just a single base after swiping 22 bags last year. Bobby Witt Jr. will slide over to shortstop in his absence, with Emmanuel Rivera starting at third base.

Mendick was optioned to Triple-A Charlotte on Monday.

Mendick should continue to receive bench opportunities whenever the White Sox need another infielder, but his career .237/.297/.348 slash line in 131 games at the highest level means he's unlikely to stick around for long or play a regular role. He'll vacate the roster here so the White Sox can add Johnny Cueto ahead of his season debut.

Altuve went 2-for-5 with a solo home run and two runs scored Sunday against the Nationals.

Altuve returned from an undisclosed injury that caused him to exit Friday's game and miss Saturday's matchup. He went hitless in his first three at-bats but singled in the seventh inning before coming around to score. Altuve then led off the ninth frame with a solo home run, his seventh of the season. He's gone yard six times in his last 11 games, also driving in eight and scoring 13 runs. Across 92 plate appearances on the campaign, Altuve is hitting .259/.348/.531.

Merrifield went 2-for-4 with a home run and two RBI in Sunday's 8-7 win over the Rockies.

Merrifield hit a solo shot in the sixth inning and a sacrifice fly in the seventh. It's been a bounce-back week for the 33-year-old, who has hit safely in six straight games, going 10-for-27 (.370) with both of his home runs this season in that span. For the year, he's at a .183/.213/.252 slash line with 13 RBI, 13 runs scored and five stolen bases in 32 contests, though the recent uptick in hitting should be encouraging for fantasy managers who have been patient with him.

Rengifo (elbow) is not in the lineup Sunday against the Athletics.

Rengifo was removed from Game 2 of Saturday's doubleheader with a right elbow contusion after being hit by a pitch, and he'll be sidelined for at least one game. Tyler Wade will start at the keystone Sunday for the Angels.

Castro is starting at third base and batting seventh in Sunday's game against the Orioles.

Jeimer Candelario is getting the day off, so Castro will make his third start of the week and first since Thursday. The versatile 28-year-old is slashing .278/.298/.333 this season across 54 at-bats. He's proven himself as a good contact hitter at the MLB level, though Castro typically doesn't deliver much in the way of counting stats. He has no home runs, three RBI and six runs scored this year.

Altuve (undisclosed) is leading off and starting at second base Sunday against the Nationals, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.

He slipped on the grass and exited early Friday and was then held out Saturday, but fortunately he loses his injury designation before the end of the weekend. Altuve is hitting .325/.413/.725 with five home runs and zero steals in 11 games this month.

Torres is not in Sunday's lineup against the White Sox.

Torres isn't a true everyday player, but he has still logged 41 at-bats this month, hitting .220 with three home runs and zero steals over that span. DJ LeMahieu will start at second base while Giancarlo Stanton starts at designated hitter.

Lowe (undisclosed) is starting at designated hitter and leading off Sunday against the Blue Jays, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

He was a late scratch from Saturday's lineup and no explanation was given for his absence, so it's good to see that it was a minor issue. The fact that he is in as the DH might suggest he is not quite 100 percent.