MLB Player News

Espinosa went 1-for-4 with a two-run home run during Wednesday's win over the Yankees.

With just a single multi-hit game through his past 21 games and a 44.3 strikeout percentage during that stretch, Espinosa continues to be a feast-or-famine hitter. In deep settings, his six homers, 24 RBI and 24 runs are respectable marks, but his .166/.244/.304 slash line is atrocious. Espinosa's glove will keep him in the lineup, so his full-time role should continue to help his counting stats.

Altuve went 3-for-3 with two doubles, was hit by a pitch and scored three runs in Wednesday's 13-2 rout of the Rangers.

Usually a prolific producer of base knocks, Altuve had been scuffling over the past 10 games, posting just a .216/.302/.324 batting line. You can't keep the star second baseman down for long -- he is hitting .320, after all -- but it's worth noting that he's dropped off a bit in terms of both power and speed; Altuve is on pace to fall short of last year's 24-homer breakout and post his first full season with fewer than 30 steals.

Merrifield went 3-for-6 with a stolen base and three runs during Wednesday's win in San Francisco.

A pair of singles and his seventh double of the season boosted Merrifield's average to .292 through 48 games. The second baseman has enjoyed the club's stay on the west coast, going 7-for-18 with five RBI and five runs over the past five games. He hasn't been particularly good hitting leadoff (averaging .185 through 81 at-bats), but Wednesday might just be what the doctor ordered to get Merrifield rolling in the top spot.

Andrus is out of the lineup Wednesday against the Astros, Stefan Stevenson of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram reports.

After stringing together a 15-game hitting streak heading into Monday, Andrus went 0-for-7 with a walk in the first two games of the series to stall his momentum. Considering that Andrus has arguably been the Rangers' MVP this season and one of the most valuable fantasy shortstops, his owners shouldn't view the minor skid as anything overly worrisome. With Andrus getting his first day off since April 21, Jurickson Profar will slot in at shortstop and bat eighth.

Polanco is out of the lineup Wednesday against the Mariners.

With two hits, two runs and two RBI in Tuesday's 20-7 win, Polanco made an impact in his return to the lineup after missing the past week while tending to a personal matter. However, his production was overshadowed on a night in which eight Twins players recorded multiple hits, including Eduardo Escobar (team-high five hits), his main competition for playing time in the middle infield. Escobar will be rewarded for his efforts with another start Wednesday and could end up turning the shortstop position into a timeshare with Polanco if he's able to stay hot.

Mathias was placed on the minor-league disabled list with a right shoulder injury.

Mathias dislocated his left shoulder during spring training, and although that issue seems to have subsided, he now has the other side to deal with. It's unclear exactly what happened or how severe the problem is, but the earliest he can return is June 21.

Polanco went 2-for-5 with two runs and two RBI in Tuesday's 20-7 victory over the Mariners.

Making his return to the lineup for the first time since June 3 after missing time following a death in the family, Polanco was one of eight Twins hitters to finish with multiple hits in a record-setting performance. While it was a nice showing for Polanco, it didn't help his cause that his primary competition for an everyday lineup spot, Eduardo Escobar, ended up finishing with a game-high five hits. In determining which of the two players will see the bulk of the starts at shortstop going forward, manager Paul Molitor could be inclined to ride the hot bat.

Drury went 4-for-5 with two doubles, a home run and three RBI in Tuesday's 7-6 win over the Tigers.

The 24-year-old may be the hottest hitter in the league right now, homering in three straight games and four times in his last five starts. Drury only has eight home runs on the season, but his .847 OPS would be a career high if he can maintain this pace.

Albies was activated from the minor-league disabled list Tuesday.

Albies, who missed the past week after fouling a ball off his foot, is expected to return to the starting lineup for Triple-A Gwinnett on Tuesday. Although the highly regarded prospect hasn't quite clicked at the plate with Gwinnett -- slashing just .262/.311/.391 with three homers through 54 games -- he is an impressive 15-for-16 on stolen base attempts.

Urias, 20, is hitting just .162 over his last 10 games for Double-A San Antonio.

Urias is still slashing .315/.413/.430 on the year, showing just how hot he started out the season. He just turned 20 years of age, and as one of the youngest players at this level, his upside remains promising, particularly when it comes to his hit tool. Urias may not hit for much power, and his speed is not terrific either, but his bat will play anywhere. Urias has more walks (39) than strikeouts (33) at this level.