MLB Player News

Hernandez (hip) will take batting practice Friday but isn't close to returning to game action, Pete Abraham of The Boston Globe reports.

Hernandez resumed swinging a bat in late July and has been progressing well in his recovery after he received a platelet-rich plasma injection shortly before the All-Star break. However, the 30-year-old will still require some time before he's cleared to begin a rehab assignment. Manager Alex Cora said last weekend that he hopes Hernandez will be able to return sometime in August, but a better timetable for his return is unlikely to be revealed until he at least faces live pitching.

Albies (foot) played catch Wednesday, Mark Bowman of MLB.com reports.

Albies shed his walking boot last week and is taking part in light baseball activities. Assuming he feels good after playing catch, the 25-year-old is expected to ramp up his rehab process over the next few weeks. Albies will likely be in the mix to return from the injured list around mid-to-late August.

Gorman isn't starting the second game of Thursday's doubleheader against the Cubs, Jeff Jones of the Belleville News-Democrat reports.

Gorman went 1-for-4 with a solo home run and a strikeout during Thursday's matinee, but he'll rest for the second game since left-hander Sean Newcomb is on the mound for the Cubs. Paul Goldschmidt is serving as the designated hitter while Albert Pujols starts at first base.

Merrifield, who is batting eighth and starting in center field Thursday at Minnesota, told reporters he has been vaccinated and will be able to travel with the Blue Jays when the team returns to Canada, Keegan Matheson of MLB.com reports.

The 33-year-old will start in center field in his first game with the Blue Jays while George Springer (elbow) serves as the designated hitter, but the former should be expected to see most of his playing time at the keystone. Merrifield was unable to travel with the Royals for the four-game series in Toronto just before the All-Star break, but he's since been vaccinated and will be able to enter Canada when the team returns for a six-game homestand next Friday. He has a .240/.290/.352 slash line with six home runs, 42 RBI and 15 stolen bases through 95 games this season.

Stott will start at shortstop and bat eighth in Thursday's game against the Nationals.

Stott picked up each of his past six starts at the keystone, but second base will be Jean Segura's (finger) domain moving forward after the 32-year-old was reinstated from the 60-day injured list Thursday. The rookie won't be out of the mix for an everyday role in the middle infield, however, as the Phillies released the struggling Didi Gregorius on Thursday to clear the way for Stott to play regularly at shortstop. The righty-hitting Edmundo Sosa could still poach the occasional start from the lefty-hitting Stott when the Phillies oppose southpaws, but Stott's playing-time outlook for the rest of the season generally looks promising.

Espinal is out of the lineup for Thursday's game against the Twins.

Espinal's time as Toronto's primary second baseman has likely come to an end with trade-acquisition Whit Merrifield making his team debut. Merrifield is actually starting in center field Thursday but is expected to see most of his playing time at the keystone. Espinal should compete for utility reps with Cavan Biggio, who is starting at second base Thursday.

Miller will take a seat Thursday against the Astros and right-hander Justin Verlander.

Miller had started the previous three games, going 2-for-12 with a home run and two RBI. Josh Naylor will get the starting nod at first base and should be the Guardians' preferred option against right-handed pitching moving forward, but Miller could see a slight uptick in opportunities versus righties while the team takes a committee approach to designated hitter following Franmil Reyes' recent demotion to Triple-A Columbus.

Estrada (concussion) will likely rejoin the Giants ahead of Sunday's series finale in Oakland, Alex Pavlovic of NBC Sports Bay Area reports.

Estrada landed on the 7-day concussion injured list last weekend but is expected to be cleared to return following a minimal IL stint. The 26-year-old should reclaim a regular role at second base once activated since shortstop Brandon Crawford (knee) is expected to be reinstated Saturday.

Andrus isn't starting Thursday against the Angels.

Andrus is getting a day off after he went 3-for-12 with a double and three strikeouts over the last three games. Nick Allen will shift to shortstop while Jonah Bride starts at second base.

Rodgers isn't starting Thursday against San Diego.

Rodgers has recorded hits in each of the last 10 games, slashing .772/.512/.611 with a home run, two doubles, eight runs and two RBI during that time. He'll get a breather while Ryan McMahon shifts to second base with Elehuris Montero starting at the hot corner.