MLB Player News

Lopez went 2-for-3 with a triple, two runs scored and a walk Tuesday against the Royals.

Lopez led off for the third straight contest and has tallied at least one hit on each occasion while scoring three runs. He has just a .049 ISO across 320 plate appearances for the season, though he has only a 14.7 percent strikeout rate and a 7.7 percent walk rate. If Lopez sticks as the leadoff hitter, he could be a decent source of runs for the final two months of the campaign.

Atlanta optioned Alvarez to Triple-A Gwinnett on Wednesday.

Alvarez got regular run at second base after Ozzie Albies (wrist) landed on the injured list, but he went just 3-for-30 with a 10:0 K:BB over eight games. Atlanta now appears prepared to go with Whit Merrifield (finger) as its regular at the keystone while Albies is shelved.

The Marlins optioned Norby to Triple-A Jacksonville on Wednesday.

The demotion comes as a surprise, as Norby appeared to be in line to take over as the Marlins' everyday second baseman after arriving via trade from the Orioles on Tuesday. While Norby should be back in the big leagues sooner rather than later, the Marlins will evaluate him in Jacksonville for the time being.

Stott is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Yankees.

The lefty-hitting Stott will get a breather for a day game after a night game while the Yankees bring southpaw Nestor Cortes to the hill. Weston Wilson will fill in for Stott at second base and bat seventh.

Morel went 1-for-4 with a solo home run and an additional run scored during Tuesday's 9-3 win over the Marlins.

Morel went yard in his second at-bat as a Ray, tagging Edward Cabrera for a solo homer in the fourth inning. Morel drew the start at second base Tuesday, his first time playing the position this season after working as a third baseman and DH for the Cubs. Tuesday's homer was Morel's 19th of the season, and he's slashing .199/.303/.380 with 52 RBI and 45 runs across 426 plate appearances.

Marte went 2-for-3 with an RBI and a run scored in Tuesday's 17-0 win over Washington.

Like the summer months in Arizona, Marte's bat is sizzling with multiple hits in 10 of his last 14 starts. He's gone 24-for-53 (.453) with seven home runs during that run. The hot bat stretches further back to the beginning of June; Marte is slashing .359/.439/.653 with 14 homers and 43 RBI over 47 games since June 2.

The Orioles transferred Mateo (elbow) from the 10-day injured list to the 60-day IL on Tuesday, Rich Dubroff of BaltimoreBaseball.com reports.

Mateo was placed on the 10-day injured list Thursday with a left elbow subluxation and he will now be forced to miss two months of action while recovering. He'll be eligible to return from the IL in late September if he's able to avoid any setbacks. With Mateo unavailable, top prospect Jackson Holliday is set to be called up from Triple-A Norfolk to join the major-league roster in Baltimore on Wednesday ahead of the team's series finale with the Blue Jays. Holliday will likely take over as the Orioles' primary second baseman.

The Royals optioned Loftin to Triple-A Omaha on Tuesday.

The 25-year-old will lose his place on the big-league roster after the Royals acquired Paul DeJong from the White Sox on Tuesday. Loftin has a .199/.294/.248 slash line with one homer in 55 MLB games this season.

The Pirates acquired Kiner-Falefa (knee) from the Blue Jays on Tuesday in exchange for infielder/outfielder Charles McAdoo, Mark Feinsand of MLB.com reports.

Kiner-Falefa is currently on the injured list due to a left knee sprain, though he played in two rehab games over the weekend and should soon be ready to be reinstated. The utility man is in the midst of the most productive campaign of his MLB career with seven home runs and a .292/.338/.420 slash line through 82 games. He should see significant action at second base since Nick Gonzales (groin) is facing an extended absence, but Kiner-Falefa could also log starts at the hot corner, given Ke'Bryan Hayes' weak .591 OPS this season.

The Angels recalled Stefanic from Triple-A Salt Lake on Tuesday.

He's taking the roster spot of the injured Anthony Rendon (back). Stefanic could see some action in the infield, especially if the Angels wind up trading Luis Rengifo.