-
Brandon Lowe 2B | PIT
Rays' Brandon Lowe: Takes seat vs. lefty
Lowe isn't starting Tuesday's game against the Marlins.
Following a scheduled off day Monday, Lowe will get another night to rest after going 0-for-7 over his last two contests. Daniel Robertson will man the keystone and bat third with Lowe on the bench.
-
Whit Merrifield 2B | ATL
Royals' Whit Merrifield: More outfield starts on tap
Merrifield is expected to see the majority of his starts in the outfield rather than at second base for the foreseeable future with the Royals set to promote middle infielder Nicky Lopez from Triple-A Omaha on Tuesday, Jeffrey Flanagan of MLB.com reports.
Merrifield already carried second-base and outfield eligibility in most fantasy leagues this season, and he now looks poised to maintain that dual eligibility heading into 2020. He's already made 11 starts in the outfield and should reach the eligibility threshold required in most leagues within the next couple weeks, assuming the Royals follow through with their plan to deploy Lopez at second base on an everyday basis. The ability to slot Merrifield at multiple spots in fantasy lineups merely provides a small boost to his value, which has remained as robust as it was heading into the season. Over 41 games, Merrifield is hitting .286 with seven steals, six home runs, 19 RBI and 30 runs.
-
Luis Arraez 2B | PHI
Twins' Luis Arraez: Climbs to Triple-A
The Twins promoted Arraez from Double-A Pensacola to Triple-A Rochester on Tuesday.
Arraez will assume the roster spot of another well-regarded infield prospect in Nick Gordon (thigh), who was placed on the 7-day injured list. Over 164 plate appearances at Pensacola this season, the 22-year-old slashed .342/.415/.397 while going 3-for-6 on stolen-base attempts.
-
Taylor Motter 2B | STL
Taylor Motter: Cut loose by Tigers
Motter was released by the Tigers on Tuesday, Emily Waldon of The Athletic reports.
Motter has received big-league at-bats in each of the last three seasons but has a .191/.263/.312 line in 143 career games. He was released after hitting .148 in 10 games for Double-A Erie.
-
Jose Altuve 2B | HOU
Astros' Jose Altuve: Not running yet
Altuve (hamstring) may not begin a running program until the end of Houston's three-game series against the Tigers, Chandler Rome of the Houston Chronicle reports.
Altuve, who is traveling with the Astros, must first initiate a running program before moving to on-field activities. If he starts running by Thursday's off day, Altuve could begin on-field activity during the weekend series in Boston. The second baseman is eligible to come off the injured list May 21. During Altuve's absence, Aledmys Diaz is expected to serve as the primary second baseman with Yuli Gurriel the backup.
-
Luis Urias 2B | TOR
Padres' Luis Urias: Continues Triple-A tear
Urias went 1-for-3 with a two-run home run and a walk for Triple-A El Paso on Monday.
Urias can't stop mashing homers for the Chihuahuas, as he's now left the yard four times since Friday to give him 11 long balls in just 23 Triple-A games this season. The recent tear leaves him a .354 batting average and a ridiculous 1.269 OPS over 109 at-bats in the PCL. Urias was just 2-for-24 in his brief spell in the big leagues earlier this season, but he's doing his level best to show the Padres he deserves another look, and they could feel compelled to give him one soon with Ian Kinsler still scuffling to the tune of a .177 batting average.
-
Brendan Rodgers 2B | BOS
Rockies' Brendan Rodgers: Blasts two more Triple-A homers
Rodgers went 4-for-5 with a pair of homers, two RBI and three runs for Triple-A Albuquerque on Monday.
The Rockies were dealt a scare Saturday when their top prospect was hit in the helmet by a pitch, but he seems to be just fine after exploding Monday for this two-homer performance. Rodgers has been absolutely mashing Triple-A pitching this season, as this brings his slash line to .346/.415/.638 with nine homers and 20 RBI in 147 plate appearances. With numbers like that, Colorado will have a hard time leaving him in the minors much longer.
-
Luis Rengifo LF | SD
Angels' Luis Rengifo: Promotion on tap
Rengifo will be recalled from Triple-A Salt Lake ahead of Tuesday's game against the Twins, Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic reports.
Rengifo will be called up to replace Kole Calhoun, who was placed on the paternity list Monday night. Rengifo has struggled in the big leagues through nine games this season, hitting .185 with three extra-base hits and an RBI.
-
Ronny Rodriguez 2B | DET
Tigers' Ronny Rodriguez: Collects two more hits
Rodriguez went 2-for-3 with a walk in Monday's 8-1 loss to the Astros.
Rodriguez, who batted fifth, and seventh-place hitter Josh Harrison combined for four of the team's five hits. In fact, the four hitters ahead of Rodriguez in the lineup went 0-for-14, so the 27-year-old infielder didn't have many opportunities to post counting stats. That said, Rodriguez has done nothing but hit lately, as he's now batting .301 with a 1.008 OPS.
-
Jake Elmore 2B | CHW
Pirates' Jake Elmore: Promoted to big leagues
Elmore had his contract selected from Triple-A Indianapolis on Monday, John Perrotto of DKPittsburghSports.com reports.
Elmore has been tearing the cover off the ball at Triple-A, slashing .380/.444/.546 with two homers and 16 RBI over 31 games, so he'll get a chance in the major leagues. The Pirates shifted Jameson Taillon to the 60-day injured list and moved Jung Ho Kang (side) to the 10-day injured list to make room for Elmore.