MLB Player News

Young is hitting .438/.471/.531 in May at Triple-A Iowa.

Young started the month with a .224 average and he's now hitting .282 following the hot stretch. Young is one of the organization's more polished minor league bats, but he doesn't really have an opening to the MLB roster with Javier Baez, Ben Zobrist and Addison Russell holding down the middle infield. Young could be an option if any of those guys go down with an injury, though.

Gimenez, 18, is batting .313/.405/.469 with one home run,and five RBI through eight games for Low-A Columbia.

Gimenez is off to a fast start in his full-season debut. The sweet-swinging lefty hit a robust .350/.469/.523 in a combined 62 games in the Dominican Summer Leagues in 2016, and he could have more pop than expected. Add in decent speed, and Gimenez could end up being a steal for the Mets.

Jones, 19, is batting just .184/.222/.301 with three home runs, eight RBI and five steals through 25 games for Low-A Burlington.

Jones is considered one of the top prospects in the Angels organization, but he has struggled to make contact during the early portion of the 2017 campaign. Still, he has the potential to hit 10 home runs and steal 20 bases at a minimum, so he is worth keeping track of as he continues to mature and progress.

Frazier (hamstring) went 1-for-3 with double and a walk for Triple-A Indianapolis on Monday.

Although Frazier isn't expected back until the weekend, it wouldn't be surprising to see the team advance his timeframe. Pittsburgh recalled utilitymen Max Moroff and Chris Bostick on Monday and they went a combined 0-for-5 with five strikeouts. Frazier, who is batting .306 in 49 at-bats, hasn't played for the Pirates since April 22.

Marte is slashing .414/.460/.539 and has gone 6-for-7 on stolen-base attempt across 139 plate appearances with Triple-A Reno this season.

Marte was optioned to the minors out of spring training after the Diamondbacks decided to proceed with Chris Owings and Nick Ahmed as their two shortstops entering the regular season. With at least one base hit in 27 of his 29 games at Reno, Marte has looked unchallenged at the Pacific Coast League and figures to be first in line for a promotion if the Diamondbacks are in need of additional infield depth at some point. Unfortunately for Marte, Owings has been one of the Diamondbacks' top bats this season with a strong .300/.342/.491 slash line of his own, so it's unlikely that Marte would receive regular at-bats once he ultimately returns to the big leagues.

Espinosa went 0-for-4 with two strikeouts in Monday's 3-2 extra-innings loss to the Athletics.

Espinosa didn't start Monday's game, but he was forced into action when Andrelton Simmons suffered a bruised left hand and right thumb when he was hit by a pitch in the first inning. Espinosa extended his hitless streak to 31 at-bats, and his average is down to an embarrassing .142 on the year. The 30-year-old has a whopping 41 strikeouts and only seven walks, putting him in danger of losing more playing time to Cliff Pennington at the keystone.

Frazier (hamstring) began his rehab assignment Monday by starting at second base for Triple-A Indianapolis, Lance Lysowksi of DK Pittsburgh Sports reports.

It's been a long road back for Frazier, who was out longer than anticipated with this injury. Depending on how he does and how the hamstring reacts, he could possibly return to the club by the weekend. This injury has been a nagging one, so the Pirates won't be inclined to rush him back.

Bostick was officially recalled from Triple-A Indianapolis on Monday, Stephen J. Nesbitt of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.

As expected, Bostick was added to the Pirates' roster ahead of Monday's series opener against the Dodgers. The 24-year-old was slashing .320/.347/.495 with 11 RBI and three stolen bases at Indy before being promoted to serve as depth for a depleted Pittsburgh roster. Catcher Elias Diaz was optioned to the minors in a corresponding move.

Espinosa is not in the lineup Monday against the Athletics.

Espinosa will take a seat for the second time in three games amidst a brutal 2-for-46 (.043) slump at the plate. Cliff Pennington is starting at the keystone in his stead.

Merrifield will start at second base and bat sixth in the order Monday against the Rays, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

In an effort to shake up the lineup after the Royals were limited to one hit in Sunday's loss to the Indians, manager Ned Yost has decided to drop Merrifield five spots in the order. Given the lack of appealing alternatives at the top of the lineup, it's not out of the question for Merrifield to eventually reclaim leadoff duties, but he may have to offer more production at the plate in subsequent contests before moving up. Merrifield is batting .143/.196/.214 over his last 11 games.