MLB Player News

Estrada was chosen to be part of the Yankees' taxi squad this weekend, Bryan Hoch of MLB.com reports.

Estrada was removed from the active roster Thursday, but he'll still be able to travel with New York for its weekend series against the Rays as part of the team's five-man taxi squad. Estrada won't be eligible to play, however, unless he is first moved back onto the active roster.

Arraez is battling minor knee soreness but could return to the lineup in the coming days, Do-Hyoung Park of MLB.com reports.

Arraez has been out of the lineup for two consecutive games, and manager Rocco Baldelli revealed prior to Friday's contest that the absence is due to minor knee soreness. However, Baldelli didn't sound too concerned about the issue and said the second baseman could return to the lineup in a day or two.

Hernandez is not in the lineup Friday against the Giants, Jorge Castillo of the Los Angeles Times reports.

Hernandez started each of the Dodgers' first five games but has since started just four of the last nine. Chris Taylor will be the second baseman Friday.

Barreto, who was expected to be part of a platoon at second base with Tony Kemp prior to the start of the season, has logged just four plate appearances over four appearances to date, none of them starts.

Prior to the Athletics' July 24 season opener, manager Bob Melvin announced Chad Pinder would draw the start against the Angels for that game, but there was no indication at the time Barreto would essentially be frozen out by the utility player for the right-handed side of the platoon at the keystone. However, that's exactly what's come to pass, with Barreto only being used as a pinch hitter, pinch runner or defensive replacement thus far. The 24-year-old did score his second run of the season in Thursday's win over the Rangers when Sean Murphy singled him home, but he's yet to make any other kind of impact in the usual fantasy categories and has struck out twice. There has been no clear indication from manager Bob Melvin as to why Barreto has been relegated to the bench, but Shayna Rubin of The Mercury News speculates that Pinder's quick acclimation to playing second has played a major role, and that Barreto's opportunities may be limited to occasional starts against southpaws at the keystone or as a designated hitter for the time being.

Rosario (quadriceps) will bat ninth as the shortstop in Friday's game against Miami.

Rosario left Monday's game against Atlanta with a tight left quad and sat out the Mets' following two games, but he's been cleared to play Friday. He'll be looking to improve on a slow start to the season which has seen him post a .610 OPS through his first 10 games.

McNeil (back) will bat second and play left field Friday against the Marlins.

McNeil was scratched Monday with lower-back tightness and later diagnosed with an intercostal strain. He's good to go now after a three-game absence and will look to build upon a strong start to the season that saw him hit .343 through his first 10 games.

Arraez remains out of the lineup Friday against the Royals.

Arraez was a late scratch Thursday, though manager Rocco Baldelli indicated that he was simply having a pre-planned maintenance day and wasn't injured. In that context, his second straight game out of the lineup is quite unusual, though the fact that he has just one hit in his last six games could have something to do with it. Marwin Gonzalez will get the start at second base.

Mathias went 2-for-5 with two RBI in Thursday's win over the White Sox.

Mathias made his MLB debut on Aug. 5 -- although he didn't register a plate appearance in that contest -- but has recorded hits in his first two games in the lineup. That's unlikely to continue over a prolonged period of time, but the second baseman has gone 3-for-8 with two RBI and a run scored in his first two games as a starter.

Merrifield went 2-for-4 with a home run, two RBI, three runs, a walk and a stolen base in Thursday 13-2 rout over the Cubs.

Merrifield batted out of his customary leadoff spot and led a relentless Royals attack in the easy win, belting a two-run homer in the second inning and coming around to score another run after drawing a walk and stealing a bag in the second. The 31-year-old is enjoying another productive campaign at the plate, slashing .298/.344/.561 with four home runs and 11 RBI through 61 plate appearances.

Altuve went 3-for-4 with a solo home run, a double and another run scored during Thursday's loss to the Diamondbacks.

Altuve doubled Houston's lead with a solo homer off Zac Gallen in the sixth inning. He also doubled and scored in the eighth. The long ball was the third of the year for the 30-year-old, who is averaging a mere .192 on the season with seven RBI and 11 runs scored.