MLB Player News
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Andy Ibanez 2B | NYM
Rangers' Andy Ibanez: Makes first start at 1B
Ibanez started at first base and went 1-for-4 in Tuesday's 13-6 loss to the Athletics.
Ibanez made his first start at first base, taking over for Nate Lowe against a left-hander. The Rangers are in full-on evaluation mode, so Ibanez could see regular at-bats in the short-term, which could turn into the long-term if he hits. Ibanez belted a three-run home run Monday, the first day of his callup. Prior to Tuesday, he had played third base and second base.
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Tony Kemp 2B | MIN
Athletics' Tony Kemp: Not starting Tuesday
Kemp is not in the starting lineup Tuesday against the Rangers.
The lefty-hitting Kemp has worked his way into the starting nine against some southpaws of late, but he'll sit for the beginning part of Tuesday's contest against lefty Taylor Hearn. Hearn is not expected to work deep into the contest, so Kemp should have a very strong chance of entering the game during the mid-to-late innings. Jed Lowrie will man second base with Mark Canha, Skye Bolt and Chad Pinder manning the outfield spots from left to right.
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Christian Arroyo 2B | NYM
Red Sox's Christian Arroyo: Not in Tuesday's lineup
Arroyo (shin) is not in the lineup for Tuesday's game against the Rays, Chris Cotillo of The Springfield Republican reports.
Arroyo left Sunday's game against the Royals with a bone bruise on his right shin following a collision with teammate Enrique Hernandez. Monday's off day evidently wasn't enough time for him to heal, though exactly when he'll return to the lineup remains unclear. Hernandez starts at second base in his absence.
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Andy Ibanez 2B | NYM
Rangers' Andy Ibanez: Remains in lineup Tuesday
Ibanez is in the starting lineup Tuesday against Oakland, batting fifth and playing first base.
Ibanez was recalled Monday and immediately made an impact, taking Frankie Montas deep for a three-run homer in the first inning. He'll remain in the starting nine Tuesday, this time taking over for Nate Lowe at first base with the Athletics sending southpaw Cole Irvin to the mound.
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Nicky Lopez 3B | CHC
Royals' Nicky Lopez: Filling in for Mondesi
Lopez will start at shortstop and bat ninth Tuesday against the Yankees.
With Adalberto Mondesi (oblique) heading back to the injured list Monday for the third time this season, Lopez once again appears poised to recapture an everyday role in the middle infield. Aside from going an impressive 7-for-7 on stolen-base attempts while batting .260 and getting on base at a strong .350 clip, Lopez provides little excitement from a fantasy standpoint. He possesses minimal power (three home runs in 799 career MLB plate appearances), and his placement in the bottom third of the Kansas City lineup will limit his run-scoring and run-producing opportunities.
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Tony Kemp 2B | MIN
Athletics' Tony Kemp: Continues raking at top of order
Kemp went 2-for-4 with a walk, a stolen base and a run in a loss to the Rangers on Monday.
Kemp's multi-hit effort extended his on-base streak to 11 games, a stretch during which he's forged a .294/.455/.500 slash line that includes a double, two home runs, six RBI and a massive 22.7 percent walk rate across 44 plate appearances. The veteran has performed well during his scant leadoff opportunities as well, as Monday's production pushed his average to .500 over the 15 plate appearances he's logged across three games at the top of the order.
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Luis Arraez 2B | SF
Twins' Luis Arraez: Sits versus lefty
Arraez is out of the lineup for Tuesday's game against the Reds, Betsy Helfand of the St. Paul Pioneer Press reports.
The lefty-hitting Arraez will head to the bench with a southpaw (Wade Miley) on the mound, ending a streak of six consecutive starts for the 24-year-old. Though Arraez doesn't possess a clear path to a full-time role at any one position, his versatility, high contact rate and on-base skills should continue to afford him regular at-bats versus right-handed pitching.
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Andy Ibanez 2B | NYM
Rangers' Andy Ibanez: Hammers first career homer
Ibanez went 1-for-4 with a three-run homer in Monday's 8-3 win over Oakland.
Ibanez was recalled for Monday's game and made his first MLB appearance since May 18. He wasted no time making an impact, launching a three-run blast off Frankie Montas in the first inning. The 28-year-old rookie is 4-for-25 with five RBI to start his big-league career.
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Andy Ibanez 2B | NYM
Rangers' Andy Ibanez: Recalled by Texas
Ibanez was recalled by the Rangers on Monday.
Ibanez spent a month with Triple-A Round Rock, and he slashed .352/.410/.648 with six home runs, 25 RBI and 20 runs in 27 games. He could serve mainly as a depth option for the Rangers going forward, but he'll start at second base and bat sixth Monday against Oakland.
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Nicky Lopez 3B | CHC
Royals' Nicky Lopez: Records steal in win
Lopez went 3-for-4 with a stolen base and a run scored in Sunday's 7-3 win over Boston.
The infielder has found a groove, going 10-for-17 (.588) across his last five games. Lopez is now slashing .260/.350/.329 with seven stolen bases, 12 RBI and 29 runs scored through 205 plate appearances this year. Adalberto Mondesi left Sunday's game with a side injury -- if he's forced to miss time, Lopez would likely pick up playing time at shortstop.