MLB Player News

Rodriguez was optioned to Triple-A Toledo on Friday, Evan Woodbery of MLive.com reports.

The 26-year-old hopped back on the outgoing shuttle after serving as depth with the big club. Rodriguez is just 3-for-23 in 10 games with the Tigers but may return to try improving on that later in the season.

Polanco (suspension, finger) took swings against rehabbing teammate Ervin Santana on Friday, Phil Miller of the Minneapolis Star Tribune reports.

Polanco is trying to prove he'll be ready for a return from his suspension July 2, but if he's not, he'll be placed on the disabled list. The shortstop might start a minor-league rehab assignment in the coming days. It was supposed to occur last weekend but was delayed after he slammed his finger in a car door and it became infected. He hasn't played in game action since spring training, and he'll probably serve as designated hitter before taking the field when he does return to the field. Of course, the way the Twins' lineup has performed lately, he could be reinstalled quickly onto the big-league roster. Polanco surprised last year, slashing .256/.313/.410 with 13 home runs, 74 RBI and 13 stolen bases in 133 games.

Barreto combined to go 2-for-8 in Friday's doubleheader but recorded two three-run home runs and scored two runs in the first game.

He went 0-for-4 in the nightcap, but in the opener of the twin bill, Barreto hit three-run blasts in the second (off James Shields) and eighth innings (off Luis Avilan) after hitting his first shot of 2018 on Wednesday. He's disappointed in the early part of his MLB career (.189/.240/.344 in his first 96 plate appearances), and questions remain about how his hit tool and power potential will eventually develop, but the Athletics are giving him a run in the starting lineup to get a better look.

Giavotella was cut loose by the White Sox on Friday, Scott Merkin of MLB.com reports.

Giavotella joined the White Sox's organization in mid-May and spent a majority of his time at the Triple-A level, hitting .225/.225/.250 with one extra-base hit in 11 games for Charlotte. He will look to latch on with another club in the coming weeks, though it's highly unlikely the 30-year-old will make an impact in the big leagues in 2018.

Forsythe is not in the lineup Friday against the Mets, Eric Stephen of TrueBlueLA.com reports.

Forsythe has been hitting well recently, with 10 hits in his last 27 at-bats. He'll sit Friday, with Max Muncy starting at second base.

Espinosa agreed to a minor-league with the Phillies on Friday.

Espinosa will join Triple-A Lehigh Valley. The veteran has been mostly a second baseman in his career, but he has a shot to earn some big-league playing time at third base or shortstop, as the Phillies' haven't gotten much production out of either spot this season. Espinosa isn't a good bet to produce much himself, though, having been last seen posting a .173/.245/.278 line in 93 games for three teams last season. He hasn't posted an above-average batting line since 2011 and has recorded a wRC+ above 80 just once since 2012.

Marte went 2-for-5 with a two-run home run and three runs scored in a 9-3 win over Pittsburgh on Thursday.

Marte set a career high last year with five home runs, and he now has five this June alone and six on the season. He's racked up 17 RBI and a .339 (17-for-62) average this month while striking out just nine times and walking six times. Even with the strong run, he's still slashing just .246/.302/.418 this season.

Tomlinson was optioned to Triple-A Sacramento on Thursday, Kerry Crowley of The San Jose Mercury News reports.

Tomlinson's brief stay with the Giants coincided with Brandon Crawford's time on the paternity list. He appeared in just two games with the big club before being sent back to the minors, going 0-for-5 with a pair of walks and a run scored. Tomlinson will continue to serve as organizational infield depth.

Altuve hit two solo home runs in a 3-for-4 game Wednesday against the Rays.

Apparently Altuve's first day off of the season Tuesday did him some good. The only aspect of Altuve's game that has dropped off from the past two seasons thus far in 2018 has been his power, and he's already hard at work to fix that. That said, with just seven home runs in 2018, it's unlikely he'll match his total of 24 from both 2016 and 2017.

Arroyo (oblique) completed range-of-motion and core stabilization exercises at Tropicana Field on Wednesday, Bill Chastain of MLB.com reports.

Arroyo hit the disabled list Saturday with a left oblique strain, and this appears to be the first official report of him resuming any type of physical activity. The 23-year-old was slashing a solid .264/.339/.396 across 59 plate appearances prior to his injury, and it's unknown if his DL stay will extend beyond the minimum 10 days.