MLB Player News

Stefanic isn't in the lineup Monday against the Royals.

Stefanic has gone just 0-for-4 with a strikeout since the All-Star break and will be held out of the lineup for the third time in the last four games. Luis Rengifo is shifting to second base while Andrew Velazquez starts at shortstop.

Red Sox manager Alex Cora said Hernandez (hip) could resume swinging a bat Friday, Alex Speier of The Boston Globe reports.

After he was recently transferred to the 60-day injured list, Hernandez won't be eligible to return until the second week of August, but it's unclear if he'll be ready to go by then. The Red Sox likely won't be able to pinpoint a target timeline for Hernandez's return until he's able to resume full baseball activities and head out on a minor-league rehab assignment. His ability to take some swings during the upcoming weekend would at least represent a step in the right direction.

India (thigh) is starting at designated hitter and batting leadoff Monday against the Marlins.

After he was scratched from Sunday's lineup with a left thigh contusion, India is ready to go for Monday's series opener. Following a cold start to the month, the 25-year-old has gone 14-for-50 with three homers, three doubles, seven RBI, 10 runs and a stolen base over his last 12 contests.

Haggerty went 1-for-4 with a two-run triple and a run in a loss to the Astros on Sunday.

The speedy Haggerty's seventh-inning three-bagger off Framber Valdez plated Abraham Toro and Dylan Moore to give the Mariners their first two runs of the game. Haggerty has made good use of his steady playing time of late, hitting .389 (7-for-18) with Sunday's triple, a home run, three RBI, a walk, a stolen base and six runs over his last six games.

Kemp entered Sunday's loss to the Rangers as a defensive replacement in the seventh inning and went 1-for-2 with a solo home run.

Kemp was originally slated for a day off with southpaw Martin Perez on the hill for the Rangers, but the veteran made good use of his impromptu opportunity by blasting his third homer of the season in the ninth inning. The round tripper was a rare taste of offensive success for Kemp in July, and even factoring in Sunday's production, he still owns an abysmal .128/.196/.234 slash line across 51 plate appearances during the month.

Biggio went 1-for-4 with a two-RBI single, a run scored and a steal in Sunday's victory over Boston.

Biggio sent Vladimir Guerrero and George Springer home on a first-inning single, then scored on a Raimel Tapia triple later that inning. Biggio also swiped second base off Brayan Bello for his second steal of the year. The second baseman has a lackluster .229 batting average, but has shown some signs of improvement as he extended his hit streak to four games.

The Red Sox are hopeful that Arroyo (groin) will begin a rehab assignment early this week, Christopher Smith of The Springfield Republican reports.

Arroyo faced Rich Hill (knee) during the pitcher's three-inning simulated game Friday and was still feeling the groin, so the team delayed having him begin a rehab assignment over the weekend. Boston manager Alex Cora hopes Arroyo can be back with the team by the end of the week. In the meantime, Yolmer Sanchez and Jeter Downs are around as utility infielders while Trevor Story (hand) and Rafael Devers (hamstring) are on the injured list.

Rojas went 3-for-5 with an RBI and a run scored in Sunday's 4-3 loss to the Nationals.

Rojas had gone eight games without a multi-hit effort, batting .154 (4-for-26) during that slump. All three of his hits Sunday were singles, including one that generated a run in the fourth inning. The 28-year-old is slashing .275/.347/.406 with five home runs, 27 RBI, 36 runs scored and eight stolen bases in 262 plate appearances, and it appears he's retained a starting role at third base even with his recent downturn at the plate.

Altuve went 2-for-5 with a solo home run and an additional RBI in Sunday's 8-5 win over the Mariners.

For the second time in three games, Altuve led off the contest with a homer. He took the first pitch he saw from Robbie Ray to left field to give the Astros a lead they'd never relinquish Sunday. Altuve went 6-for-14 (.429) during the three-game series in Seattle, lifting his season slash line to .278/.365/.523 with 19 long balls, 36 RBI, 54 runs scored and eight stolen bases in 79 games.

Kemp will sit Sunday versus the Rangers.

Kemp is on the bench for the second game in a row Sunday. Chad Pinder will draw another start in left field and bat fourth in the series finale.