MLB Player News

Andrus went 2-for-4 with two RBI and a walk during Wednesday's 7-4 win over Arizona.

The 31-year-old was dropped to seventh in the order for Tuesday's contest, but he returned to the leadoff spot Wednesday and came through as a run producer. Andrus is 4-for-17 with one run scored and two RBI through five games, and he's still looking for his first extra-base hit and stolen base.

Kemp will remain on the bench Wednesday against the Rockies.

Kemp doesn't appear to have the platoon role at second base that he was thought to have prior to the season. He's started against just two of the five righties the Athletics have faced thus far, with Chad Pinder starting against two and Vimael Machin, who starts Wednesday, getting the nod once.

Andrus batted seventh in the order and went 1-for-3 in Tuesday's 4-1 loss to the Diamondbacks.

Andrus is one of several Rangers mired in an early season slump, so manager Chris Woodward shook up the lineup. As such, Andrus was dropped from the top of the order to seventh. The shortstop is 2-for-13 with three walks over the first four games.

Polanco went 2-for-4 with a two-run home run in Tuesday's 6-3 win over the Cardinals.

His second-inning blast off Carlos Martinez capped a five-run eruption that effectively decided the game, and gave Polanco his first homer of the year. The 27-year-old shortstop is now 6-for-17 to begin the season with four RBI and five runs through four games, and after a breakout 2019 he could be ready to solidify his spot as one of the key hitters in the Twins' formidable attack.

Merrifield went 1-for-4 with a three-run home run Tuesday against the Tigers.

Merrifield took Rony Garcia deep in the third inning, supplying the entirety of the Royals' offense for the night. The shot was Merrifield's second of the season and second in as many games. Having also recorded a steal in the team's season opener, Merrifield has gotten off to a strong start in the sprint season.

Rengifo (hamstring) will be activated off the 10-day injured list Tuesday, Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic reports.

The 23-year-old is with the team and should be available off the bench for Tuesday's contest. Andrelton Simmons' (ankle) status remains up in the air, so there could be playing time available for Rengifo if Simmons misses some time.

Kemp will sit Tuesday against Colorado.

The Athletics' playing-time split at second base reminds difficult to parse. Chad Pinder started the first two games, once against a righty and once against a lefty. Kemp then started against a pair of righties, but he's back on the bench in favor of Pinder with another righty (Antonio Senzatela) starting for the Rockies.

Merrifield went 3-for-5 with a homer, a double, three RBI and three runs scored in Monday's 14-6 win over the Tigers.

Merrifield stuffed the stat sheet Monday, clocking a two-run homer in the third innings and an RBI double in the fourth. After earning his first All-Star nod in 2019, the 31-year-old utilityman is off to a hot start with a hit in each of his first four games to start the season.

Lowe went 2-for-3 with a walk, a double, a triple, two runs scored and two RBI in Monday's 14-5 rout of Atlanta.

That's now three straight multi-hit performances for Lowe, with five of his seven hits over that stretch going for extra bases (three doubles and two triples). The Rays' deep bench means any player is at risk of getting a rest on any given day, but as long as Lowe is locked in at the plate, he should remain in the lineup.

Altuve went 2-for-4 with a solo home run, two RBI and two runs scored in Monday's 8-5 win over the Mariners.

Altuve led off the fifth inning with a solo shot that just cleared the fence in left field, his first long ball of the year. The second baseman has gone 4-for-14 (.286) with seven runs scored and three RBI in four games to start the season. The 30-year-old will likely continue to generate offense batting in the top half of the Astros' order.