MLB Player News

Marte went 3-for-4 with a solo home run and an additional run scored in Friday's 5-3 loss to the Padres.

Marte was involved in both of Arizona's scoring plays Friday. He hit a solo shot in the first inning and was on base when Christian Walker hit a two-run blast in the fourth. This was Marte's third homer in the last four games, a span in which he's gone 7-for-15 (.467). He's up to a .276/.368/.459 slash line with eight long balls, 29 RBI, 45 runs scored and four stolen bases in 80 contests. He was caught stealing in a loss to the Giants on Wednesday, which was his first attempted steal since June 15 -- that suggests he's starting to move past a hamstring injury that has nagged him since late June.

Castro went 3-for-4 with two doubles, a run scored and an RBI in Friday's loss to the Guardians.

Castro continues to play all over the diamond for the Tigers, recording a start at first base Friday after starting at shortstop Thursday, and he keeps on hitting. The 28-year-old utility player extended his hitting streak to four games and is now batting .280 for the season. While Castro doesn't offer a ton of power, he's often a fantasy asset when he's in the starting lineup due to his ability to make consistent contact.

Rodgers went 2-for-5 with a home run, a double and four RBI in Friday's 13-2 win over the Pirates.

Rodgers' bases-loaded double in the third inning gave the Rockies the lead for good. He added a solo shot in the seventh as part of a four-run rally. He's hit safely in 10 of his 14 games in July, but this was his first multi-hit effort of the month. The second baseman has gone 11-for-52 (.212) in that span, which has caused his slash line to slip to .257/.312/.418 with nine homers, 47 RBI, 41 runs scored and 19 doubles through 79 contests.

Lowe (back) won't be activated Friday but could return Saturday or Sunday, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Lowe has been out for two months with a stress reaction in his lower back, but he's nearly ready to go after grabbing five hits in five rehab games. Previous reports cited Friday as a potential date for his return, but he'll need at least one or two more days before he's ready to go.

Torres went 1-for-5 with a two-run home run Thursday in an extra-inning loss to Cincinnati.

Though the Yankees were unable to pull out the win, Torres came up with one of the biggest hits in the contest, swatting a two-run homer to right field in the eighth inning that tied the score at 4-4. The long ball extended his hitting streak to eight games, during which he's slashing .417/.475/.639. After hitting just 12 homers over 595 at-bats during his previous two campaigns, Torres already has 14 in 278 at-bats this season.

Altuve (leg) will sit Friday against Oakland.

Altuve left Thursday's game against the Angels with a bruise after getting hit by a pitch in his left leg. He'll miss at least one game, with Mauricio Dubon leading off and playing second base in his absence.

Espinal will sit Friday against the Royals.

Espinal hits the bench after starting 10 straight games, a stretch in which he posted a .605 OPS. Cavan Biggio will get the start at second base.

Hernandez (hip) received a platelet-rich plasma injection Friday, Chris Cotillo of The Springfield Republican reports.

Hernandez visited a hip specialist Thursday and is hoping the injection will speed up his recovery process. His injury is still being described as a flexor strain, and he's slated to ramp up his activity level following the All-Star break, which would likely put him on track to return from the injured list in late July or early August.

Frazier entered Thursday's win over the Rangers as a pinch hitter in the top of the eighth inning and remained in the game at shortstop, going 1-for-2 with a run.

Frazier's pinch-hit appearance culminated in a single to right center, and he ultimately came around to score when Julio Rodriguez was hit by a pitch with the bases loaded. The All-Star break may be coming at an inopportune time for Frazier, who boasts a .357/.345/.464 slash line over his last eight games and has hit safely in four straight.

Hernandez (hip) visited a hip specialist in New York on Thursday, Chris Cotillo of MassLive.com reports.

The visit was to determine if there's a more serious issue in Hernandez's hip. The Red Sox shut down the outfielder's rehab assignment after one game due to lingering discomfort.