MLB Player News

Lopez isn't starting Thursday's game against the Rays.

Lopez will retreat to the bench for the second time in the last three games after he went 0-for-3 with a strikeout Wednesday. Whit Merrifield will start at second base while Jorge Soler takes over in right field. Lopez is still the likely favorite for playing time at second base, but he could see a slight downtick in playing time now that Adalberto Mondesi has returned to action at shortstop.

Rosario was scratched from the lineup for Thursday's game against the Tigers due to a right hand contusion, Zack Meisel of The Athletic reports.

Rosario was hit by a pitch on his hand in Tuesday's contest, and he'll be held out of the lineup for a second consecutive game. It's not yet clear whether he'll be available off the bench, but Yu Chang will take over at shortstop and bat sixth.

Castro will start at second base and bat second Thursday against Cleveland.

Castro saw a five-game streak with multiple hits come to an end Wednesday with an 0-for-4 showing in the Tigers' 1-0 win, but it won't stop him from getting a third consecutive start. He'll be filling in at second base while the usual starter at the position, Willi Castro, gets a turn as the Tigers' designated hitter.

Altuve went 2-for-4 with a solo home run, two total RBI and two total runs in Wednesday's 5-2 win over the Dodgers.

Altuve got Houston off to a quick start, smashing a 401-foot long ball to left field off Trevor Bauer to lead off the bottom half of the first inning. In the seventh frame, he added another RBI on an infield single and subsequently came around to score on Aledmys Diaz's home run. Altuve has bounced back with a .311/.360/460 slash line in 2021 after hitting only .219 last season. With six homers and 21 RBI, he has already surpassed his totals over 48 games in 2020.

Merrifield went 1-for-3 with a walk, a stolen base and two strikeouts in Wednesday's 2-1 extra-inning loss to Tampa Bay.

In the sixth inning, Merrifield drew a walk, advanced to second on a wild pitch, and stole third. The speedster has already racked up 14 steals in 47 games this season. He's slashing .251/.322/.374 with four home runs, 24 RBI and 28 runs scored in 205 plate appearances. Merrifield may eventually share the leadoff spot in the order with Adalberto Mondesi, who returned from an oblique injury Tuesday.

Rosario is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Tigers.

The 25-year-old receives a day off amidst his hottest offensive stretch of the season, during which he's gone 12-for-32 with four walks and two stolen bases in nine games. Owen Miller fills in at shortstop for Wednesday's contest.

Mayfield is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Athletics.

Mayfield had started three of the past four games at second base, going 1-for-10 over that stretch. Ty France was reinstated from the injured list Monday and could settle in as the primary option at the position until Dylan Moore (calf) is back from the IL, in which case Mayfield may have to settle for a utility role moving forward.

Polanco will start at second base and bat second Wednesday against the Orioles, Aaron Gleeman of The Athletic reports.

Before he returned Tuesday from a four-game absence due to an ankle injury, Polanco appeared in danger of slipping into more of a part-time role with Minnesota lineup nearly at full strength minus Byron Buxton (hip). However, with Luis Arraez (shoulder) joining Buxton on the injured list Wednesday, Polanco looks to have a fairly clear path to an everyday job. Polanco will likely need to improve on his middling .232/.305/.381 slash line to ensure he remains a regular in the starting nine once Arraez is back in the fold.

Arraez was placed on the 10-day injured list with a right shoulder strain Wednesday, Brandon Warne of Access Twins reports.

Arraez had been held out of the last two games, and he's apparently dealing with a shoulder injury that will force him to miss additional time. Jorge Polanco will likely serve as the primary second baseman while Arraez is sidelined.

Hernandez started at second base and went 1-for-4 with a run scored in Tuesday's 3-1 loss to Atlanta.

Hernandez, who had been Boston's primary center fielder, made his third straight start at second base Tuesday. The recent addition of Danny Santana, who started logged a third straight start in center field Tuesday, appears to have nudged Hernandez back to second base, a position that could get crowded following Christian Arroyo's (hand) activation from the injured list Tuesday.