MLB Player News

Hernandez was placed on the COVID-19 injured list after testing positive for the virus Friday, Bill Koch of The Providence Journal reports.

A positive test typically means a player is forced to be out for 10 days, but per Pete Abraham of The Boston Globe, Hernandez could miss less time because he is vaccinated. Christian Arroyo was also placed on the COVID-19 list as a close contact, so the Red Sox will be without both of their main second base options for an extended period. Infielders Yairo Munoz and Jonathan Arauz were recalled from Triple-A Worcester and figure to man the position in the interim. Travis Shaw could also be a candidate to handle the keystone, though it's unclear if Boston will consider going that direction given he hasn't played there since 2019.

Espinal is out of the lineup Friday against the Tigers.

Espinal started the past four games and will take a seat after going 3-for-13 with a run and a stolen base. Kevin Smith will cover the hot corner in his absence Friday.

Miller went 2-for-5 with a solo home run during Thursday's win over the Rangers.

Miller swatted a 350-footer against Dennis Santana in the fifth inning. The long ball was the third of the year for the 24-year-old, who has struggled at the plate this season to the tune of a .175/.231/.275 batting line across 39 games, though he does have three multi-hit appearances since Aug. 15.

Chavis went 4-for-5 with two runs scored in a win over the Cardinals on Thursday.

Drawing the start at second base and batting in the two hole, Chavis collected four hits in Thursday's victory. Chavis has now appeared in four games since being acquired from Boston at the trade deadline and is 7-for-17 with a homer, two RBI and three runs.

Lux was optioned to Triple-A Oklahoma City on Thursday, Juan Toribio of MLB.com reports.

Lux was sent down as the team activated Mookie Betts and also needed arms out of the bullpen after a 16-inning marathon Wednesday. However, manager Dave Roberts also said that Lux would benefit from everyday at-bats, something he wouldn't get with the big-league club. Roberts also noted the possibility that Lux would return to the Dodgers in September, but that's not a given as rosters expand to only 28 spots rather than 40 as was the case in past seasons.

Marte exited Thursday's game against the Phillies with right hip discomfort.

It's not clear how Marte suffered the injury, or if he's expected miss extended time. Marte was sidelined over two months with a pair of hamstring injuries earlier this season, so the team may opt to rest him regularly even if he avoids a serious issue.

Frazier is not in Thursday's lineup against the Dodgers.

Frazier will sit for the second time in the team's last three games. On Tuesday, he sat with lefty Julio Urias on the mound, though on Thursday the team will be facing right-hander Max Scherzer. Since Aug. 1, Frazier is hitting just .237/.293/.276, and given the team's lineup depth it's possible he continues to see more time on the bench. Ha-Seong Kim will draw the start at second base and bat seventh in Frazier's place.

Torres (thumb) could start a rehab assignment Sunday, Brendan Kuty of The Newark Star-Ledger reports.

Torres has been working out at Double-A Somerset, though it's not necessarily clear that's where he'll begin the rehab stint. Regardless, this is a positive step as it appears Torres hasn't felt lingering pain or experienced a setback with his injury despite ramping up activity. A return in early September remains realistic.

Estrada was recalled from Triple-A Sacramento on Thursday, Maria I. Guardado of MLB.com reports.

Estrada has been at Triple-A since being demoted Aug. 14, but he'll rejoin the Giants on Thursday with Donovan Solano (undisclosed) heading to the injured list. The 25-year-old has an .809 OPS in 89 plate appearances this season and should fill a utility role while in the majors.

Clement was placed on the injured list with an undisclosed injury Thursday, Tom Withers of the Associated Press reports.

The roster move didn't include an injury designation, so Clement may have been placed on the COVID-19 IL. If that's the case he'll be eligible to rejoin the active roster once he clears the health and safety protocols.