MLB Player News

Altuve went 2-for-5 with a solo home run in Thursday's 12-8 loss to Boston.

Three of the second baseman's last four hits have ended up beyond the fence. Altuve is up to 11 homers, 29 RBI, 41 runs scored and two stolen bases through 51 games. He's added a .296/.364/.479 slash line. With four long balls in his last 10 games, the 31-year-old has found a groove.

Arroyo went 1-for-3 with a home run, four RBI and a walk in Thursday's 12-8 win over Houston. He was also hit by a pitch.

Arroyo delivered a game-tying, three-run blast in the fifth inning. Boston rallied again in the sixth, and Arroyo drew a bases-loaded walk for his fourth RBI of the game. The 26-year-old infielder has posted nine RBI and five runs scored through eight games in June. He's up to a .284/.348/.441 slash line with two homers, 14 RBI, 14 runs scored and a stolen base through 113 plate appearances. He's logged fairly consistent time at second base recently thanks to some solid hitting.

Biggio (neck) could be reinstated from the 10-day injured list during this weekend's four-game series in Boston, Mitch Bannon of SI.com reports.

Biggio has been sidelined since May 22 due to a cervical spine ligament sprain, but he began a rehab assignment with Triple-A Buffalo on Sunday. The 26-year-old has gone just 1-for-9 with a solo home run and two strikeouts across two rehab games in the minors, but his return to the major-league club appears to be imminent.

Arraez (shoulder) could begin a rehab assignment in the coming days, Do-Hyoung Park of MLB.com reports.

Arraez has been on the injured list since May 26 while dealing with a right shoulder strain, but he's been participating in baseball activities at Target Field across the past three days. He'll likely require multiple rehab games before he's cleared to rejoin the Twins, but the 24-year-old appears to be nearing his return.

Mendick is starting Thursday's game against the Blue Jays.

The 27-year-old entered Wednesday's game in the seventh inning, and he should see increased time at second base along with Leury Garcia after Nick Madrigal (hamstring) was placed on the 60-day injured list Thursday. Mendick has hit .200 with two home runs and 10 RBI in 27 games to begin the season.

Arroyo will start at second base and bat eighth Thursday against the Astros, Jen McCaffrey of The Athletic reports.

Even with the Boston lineup back at full strength with Alex Verdugo (back) returning from a two-game absence, Arroyo will maintain a spot in the starting nine. Despite striking out in all three of his at-bats in Wednesday's 8-3 loss, Arroyo will man the keystone for a fourth straight game. At this point, Arroyo may have inched ahead of Marwin Gonzalez and Enrique Hernandez as the top option at second base.

The Mariners designated Mayfield for assignment Thursday.

He'll cede his spot on the 40-man roster and 26-man active roster to first baseman Jake Bauers, whom the Mariners acquired from Cleveland on Thursday. The 30-year-old Mayfield has served mainly as a backup middle infielder between stints with the Angels and Mariners this season, going 6-for-37 (.162 average) with a 31.6 percent strikeout rate.

Arroyo batted seventh and went 0-for-3 in Wednesday's 8-3 loss to the Astros.

Arroyo had made two straight starts as the leadoff hitter but was dropped lower in the order for Wednesday's contest. Red Sox manager Alex Cora is experimenting at leadoff, looking to find a replacement for Enrique Hernandez. On Wednesday, it was Danny Santana's turn. Arroyo has started three straight games and is 2-for-9 with five strikeouts during that stretch.

Mendick entered Wednesday's game against the Blue Jays in the seventh inning after Nick Madrigal left due to a hamstring injury.

Madrigal injured his right hamstring after running out a groundball and needed assistance leaving the field. He'll undergo further evaluation Thursday. If Madrigal misses time, Mendick and Leury Garcia are expected to share duties at second base.

Polanco went 2-for-5 with two home runs and three RBI in Wednesday's 9-6 loss to the Yankees.

Polanco homered in the third inning off Gerrit Cole and he hit the foul pole in the ninth inning off Brooks Kriske. He has eight long balls this season, but four have come in the last nine games. The 27-year-old is slashing .242/.310/.430 with eight home runs, 27 RBI, 31 runs and three steals in 232 plate appearances. His 31 runs lead the Twins.