MLB Player News

Guillorme (hamstring) will begin a rehab assignment at Triple-A Syracuse on Thursday, Anthony DiComo of MLB.com reports.

Guillorme has been sidelined for nearly a month with the left hamstring strain, but he looks to be nearing the finish line in his recovery from the injury. The Mets value Guillorme for the solid defense he provides as a late-inning replacement off the bench, but because New York has all its everyday infielders simultaneously healthy for one of the few times all season, the team may not look to bring Guillorme back from the 10-day injured list until the roster expands to 28 players Sept. 1.

Polanco isn't starting Thursday's game against the Red Sox.

Polanco will get a rare day off after he hit .351 with three homers, two doubles, 13 RBI, five runs and a stolen base across the last eight games. Luis Arraez will shift to the keystone while Willians Astudillo starts at third base.

Hernandez isn't starting Thursday's game against Cleveland.

Hernandez doubled in Wednesday's loss to Cleveland, but he'll head to the bench for the second time in the last three games. Ryan Dorow will start at the hot corner and bat ninth.

McNeil isn't starting Thursday's game against the Giants.

McNeil has seen some action against lefties this season, but he'll take a seat against southpaw Alex Wood on Thursday. Jonathan Villar will start at the hot corner and bat sixth.

Mendick was optioned by the White Sox on Thursday.

Mendick retreated to the bench Wednesday as Tim Anderson returned from a four-game absence due to a hamstring injury. He'll now exit the roster entirely as the White Sox clear a spot for Carlos Rodon (shoulder) to return from the injured list. It's possible Mendick returns when rosters expand in September, as he gives the White Sox cover at several positions off the bench, but his .217/.306/.289 slash line through 66 games this season indicates that he's unlikely to find himself receiving regular at-bats.

Merrifield went 2-for-5 with a grand slam and a double in Wednesday's loss to Houston.

The second baseman's long ball with the bases loaded in the seventh inning gave the Royals a two-run lead, but the Astros rallied and eventually pulled out the win. Merrifield's homer was his first since June 30 -- a span of 47 games. However, he racked up 15 thefts over that span and ranks second in the majors with 37 stolen bases on the season.

Lowe went 1-for-5 with a solo home run Wednesday against the Phillies.

Lowe ripped his 30th homer of the season off Zack Wheeler in the fifth inning. He continues to swing an incredibly hot bat, as he now has eight home runs, 24 RBI and 20 runs scored since Aug. 1. In that same span, he's struck out at only a 21.9 percent clip, a significant reduction from his season-long rate of 28.5 percent. Overall, Lowe maintains a .235/.339/.502 line with 77 runs scored and 76 RBI across 492 plate appearances.

Hernandez went 3-for-6 with a solo home run, a double and two total runs scored in Wednesday's 9-6 extra-inning loss to Minnesota.

The utility man remains hot at the plate, going 17-for-47 (.362) with two home runs, eight RBI and 14 runs scored since Aug. 11. Hernandez's homer Wednesday was a little too late, as it was the last run Boston mustered while trying to come back from a five-run deficit in the 10th inning. Hernandez is slashing .258/.345/.467 with 17 homers, 51 RBI, 69 runs scored and a stolen base through 478 plate appearances.

Polanco went 1-for-4 with a two-run home run, a walk and an additional run scored in Wednesday's 9-6 extra-inning win over Boston.

The infielder is in a groove at the plate, homering in three straight contests. He's also gone 13-for-37 (.351) across his last eight games with five multi-hit efforts in that span. Polanco has enjoyed a career-best year in the power department with 24 homers and a .496 slugging percentage through 118 games. He's added 76 RBI, 76 runs scored and 10 stolen bases.

Rodgers went 3-for-6 with a home run and five RBI in Game 2 against the Cubs on Wednesday.

Rodgers drove in a career-high five runs, highlighted by his two-run homer in the first inning that opened the scoring. He later added an RBI single in the sixth and a two-run double in the 10th. Rodgers is hitting .338/.344/.479 in August, although Wednesday's homer was his first of the month.