MLB Player News

Lopez is not starting Thursday against the Tigers, Lynn Worthy of The Kansas City Star reports.

Whit Merrifield is starting at the keystone in place of Lopez, with Brett Phillips covering center field. Through six appearances this season, Lopez has collected just one hit in 11 at-bats.

Espinal is out of the lineup for Thursday's game against the Nationals.

Espinal started the past two games at shortstop in place of Bo Bichette (hamstring), but the rookie will retreat to his usual bench role after the Blue Jays cleared Bichette to start in the series finale. Even if Bichette misses more extended time at some point in 2020, the defensive-minded Espinal is unlikely to emerge as an intriguing fantasy commodity.

Drury will start at third base and bat ninth Thursday against the Nationals.

Drury will stick in the lineup for the fourth time in five games since returning from the injured list over the weekend. All four of those starting assignments have come at the hot corner, so he'll most likely shift back to a bench role once Travis Shaw (personal) returns from the bereavement list.

Gimenez went 2-for-4 with a triple and an RBI in Wednesday's loss to the Red Sox.

His three-bagger off Marcus Walden in the sixth inning gave the Mets their last lead of the game. Gimenez won't see much playing time behind Amed Rosario at shortstop, but he made an impact in his first career big-league start.

Rengifo (hamstring) was reinstated from the injured list Tuesday.

Andrelton Simmons (ankle) was placed on the 10-day IL in a subsequent move, clearing room for Rengifo on the 30-man roster. David Fletcher figures to get most of the starts at shortstop in Simmons' stead, though Rengifo could see time at the middle-infield positions on occasion.

Andrus went 2-for-4 with two RBI and a walk during Wednesday's 7-4 win over Arizona.

The 31-year-old was dropped to seventh in the order for Tuesday's contest, but he returned to the leadoff spot Wednesday and came through as a run producer. Andrus is 4-for-17 with one run scored and two RBI through five games, and he's still looking for his first extra-base hit and stolen base.

Dubon is not starting Wednesday against the Padres, Alex Pavlovic of NBC Sports Bay Area reports.

Dubon will give way to Wilmer Flores at second base after starting the first five games of the season for the Giants. He is 3-for-17 with a double and six strikeouts so far this season.

Gimenez is starting at shortstop and hitting eighth Wednesday against the Red Sox, Deesha Thosar of the New York Daily News reports.

Gimenez is set to make his first big-league start after working as a reserve through the team's first five games, going 0-for-4 in his limited at-bats. The talented 21-year-old spent all of 2019 with Double-A Binghamton, slashing .250/.309/.387 with nine homers and 28 steals in 117 games.

Rosario is not starting Wednesday against the Red Sox, Deesha Thosar of the New York Daily News reports.

Rosario will get a breather following a string of five consecutive starts. In his absence, prospect Andres Gimenez is starting at shortstop and hitting eighth Wednesday. Rosario is 6-for-21 on the season with three RBI and two runs scored.

Hernandez is not in the lineup Wednesday against the Astros, Eric Stephen of TrueBlueLA.com reports.

Hernandez will sit for the first time all season, with Chris Taylor starting at the keystone in his place. The utility man is 7-for-22 with a home run, five RBI and five runs through five games this season.