MLB Player News

Rodriguez went 2-for-4 with a double, a two-run home run and three total RBI in Tuesday's 11-4 loss to the Astros.

Rodriguez just keeps on rolling, as he now has six home runs this season to go with a 1.058 OPS through 21 games. The 27-year-old infielder had just five home runs and a .591 OPS across 62 games in 2018, so his results so far this year have certainly been a pleasant surprise.

Drury will head to the bench for Tuesday's game against San Francisco.

Drury has now been sent to the bench for three of his team's last four contests. Randal Grichuk will start in right field and bat cleanup with Drury out of the mix.

Lopez will start at second base and bat second Tuesday against the Rangers, Alec Lewis of The Athletic reports.

As promised, Lopez will immediately step into a starting role with the Royals at the keystone upon his arrival in the big leagues, meaning more time in the outfield for Whit Merrifield. Lopez is set to face Shelby Miller in the first big-league start of his career.

Lowe isn't starting Tuesday's game against the Marlins.

Following a scheduled off day Monday, Lowe will get another night to rest after going 0-for-7 over his last two contests. Daniel Robertson will man the keystone and bat third with Lowe on the bench.

Merrifield is expected to see the majority of his starts in the outfield rather than at second base for the foreseeable future with the Royals set to promote middle infielder Nicky Lopez from Triple-A Omaha on Tuesday, Jeffrey Flanagan of MLB.com reports.

Merrifield already carried second-base and outfield eligibility in most fantasy leagues this season, and he now looks poised to maintain that dual eligibility heading into 2020. He's already made 11 starts in the outfield and should reach the eligibility threshold required in most leagues within the next couple weeks, assuming the Royals follow through with their plan to deploy Lopez at second base on an everyday basis. The ability to slot Merrifield at multiple spots in fantasy lineups merely provides a small boost to his value, which has remained as robust as it was heading into the season. Over 41 games, Merrifield is hitting .286 with seven steals, six home runs, 19 RBI and 30 runs.

The Twins promoted Arraez from Double-A Pensacola to Triple-A Rochester on Tuesday.

Arraez will assume the roster spot of another well-regarded infield prospect in Nick Gordon (thigh), who was placed on the 7-day injured list. Over 164 plate appearances at Pensacola this season, the 22-year-old slashed .342/.415/.397 while going 3-for-6 on stolen-base attempts.

Altuve (hamstring) may not begin a running program until the end of Houston's three-game series against the Tigers, Chandler Rome of the Houston Chronicle reports.

Altuve, who is traveling with the Astros, must first initiate a running program before moving to on-field activities. If he starts running by Thursday's off day, Altuve could begin on-field activity during the weekend series in Boston. The second baseman is eligible to come off the injured list May 21. During Altuve's absence, Aledmys Diaz is expected to serve as the primary second baseman with Yuli Gurriel the backup.

Rengifo will be recalled from Triple-A Salt Lake ahead of Tuesday's game against the Twins, Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic reports.

Rengifo will be called up to replace Kole Calhoun, who was placed on the paternity list Monday night. Rengifo has struggled in the big leagues through nine games this season, hitting .185 with three extra-base hits and an RBI.

Rodriguez went 2-for-3 with a walk in Monday's 8-1 loss to the Astros.

Rodriguez, who batted fifth, and seventh-place hitter Josh Harrison combined for four of the team's five hits. In fact, the four hitters ahead of Rodriguez in the lineup went 0-for-14, so the 27-year-old infielder didn't have many opportunities to post counting stats. That said, Rodriguez has done nothing but hit lately, as he's now batting .301 with a 1.008 OPS.

Lopez will have his contract selected from Triple-A Omaha prior to Tuesday's game against the Rangers.

According to Rustin Dodd of The Athletic, Lopez will immediately step in as the Royals' primary second baseman. The addition of Lopez will move Whit Merrifield to the outfield on a more regular basis, while third baseman Kelvin Gutierrez will likely shift to a bench role as part of the domino effect of the roster shuffle. The promotion is warranted for Lopez, as the well-regarded prospect was slashing .353/.457/.500 with a trio of homers and nine stolen bases through 31 games with Triple-A Omaha this season. Jake Newberry was optioned to Triple-A in a corresponding move.