MLB Player News

Frazier isn't starting Thursday against the Rays.

Frazier will get a day off after he went 1-for-12 with a strikeout over the last three games. Abraham Toro will take over at second base and lead off.

Arraez tested positive for COVID-19 on Thursday, Betsy Helfand of the St. Paul Pioneer Press reports.

The Twins are dealing with a COVID-19 outbreak within their clubhouse, and Arraez will have to isolate from the team after testing positive. The team isn't expected to make a roster move prior to Thursday's game against the Orioles, but Jose Miranda and Gary Sanchez should see an uptick in playing time while Arraez is sidelined. The 25-year-old will be eligible to return once he clears the league's COVID-19 protocols.

Arraez is out of the lineup for Thursday's game against the Orioles.

Arraez finds himself on the bench for the second time in the past three games despite the fact righty Spenser Watkins is starting for Baltimore. Jose Miranda will receive another start at first base while Gary Sanchez rests his legs as the designated hitter.

Altuve (groin) is starting Thursday against the Tigers.

Altuve exited Wednesday's game against the Mariners due to right groin soreness, but he'll be back in the lineup a day later. The 31-year-old has gone 2-for-8 with a homer, three runs and three walks since returning from the injured list. He'll start at second base and lead off Thursday.

Miller isn't starting Thursday against Toronto.

Miller has crossed the plate in five consecutive games, and he's gone 3-for-17 with a double, seven runs, an RBI and five walks during that time. Josh Naylor will shift to first base while Richie Palacios enters the lineup in left field.

Mendick was recalled from Triple-A Charlotte on Thursday.

The 28-year-old was sent down Monday, but he'll rejoin the major-league club to provide depth after Andrew Vaughn (hand) was placed on the 10-day injured list. Mendick is hitting .250 with a homer, two doubles, four runs and three RBI in the majors this year.

Hernandez isn't starting Thursday against the Angels since he's feeling sick, Christopher Smith of The Springfield Republican reports.

The Red Sox are hopeful that Hernandez's sickness is unrelated to COVID-19, but he'll be out of the lineup for at least one game as a precautionary measure. It's not yet clear whether he'll be an option off the bench, but Jackie Bradley will shift to center field while Franchy Cordero starts in right.

Hernandez will hit the bench Thursday against the Angels, Julian McWilliams of The Boston Globe reports.

Hernandez sits for just the second time this season. He's gotten off to a poor start at the plate, hitting just .189/.262/.567 with one homer in 24 games. Jackie Bradley slides to center field in his absence, with Franchy Cordero starting in right.

Biggio (illness) is scheduled to begin a rehab assignment at Triple-A Buffalo on Thursday, Shi Davidi of Sportsnet.ca reports.

After clearing all COVID-19-related protocols Monday and resuming workouts, Biggio advanced to facing live pitching Wednesday, as he stepped up to the plate to take a few at-bats against rehabbing lefty Ryan Borucki (finger). According to Keegan Matheson of MLB.com Biggio is expected to remain with Buffalo at least for the duration of the Blue Jays' weekend road trip in Cleveland, so he's unlikely to be activated from the COVID-19 injured list until next week.

The Astros announced that Altuve was removed from Wednesday's game against the Mariners in the top of the fifth inning with right groin soreness, Julia Morales of AT&T SportsNet Southwest reports. He went 1-for-2 with a walk and two runs before departing.

The injury occurred when Altuve fouled a ball off his groin region during his fourth-inning plate appearance. Though he appeared to be in pain when the play occurred, he stayed in the game and proceeded to record a base hit before coming around to score. Though Altuve appears to have avoided a major injury, the fact that he returned earlier this week from a stint on the injured list due to a hamstring issue means the Astros could take some extra caution with him.