MLB Player News

Drury (illness) is out of the lineup for Friday's game against Detroit, Rhett Bollinger of MLB.com reports.

Drury hasn't played since June 18 due to an upper-respiratory illness and will be on the bench again Friday. Luis Guillorme will play second base and bat ninth. Drury is considered day-to-day but doesn't have a clear timeline for his return.

Torres is batting fifth and playing second base Friday at Toronto.

Torres is 2-for-29 at the plate since June 14 and was given back-to-back days off to clear his head amid the slump. The second baseman is 10-for-26 (.385) in his career against Yusei Kikuchi, who's the Blue Jays' starting pitcher Friday.

Massey is absent from the lineup for Friday's game against the Guardians.

Massey was hit by a pitch in Thursday's game, so it's possible he's a bit sore. Salvador Perez will be the Royals' designated hitter while Freddy Fermin does the catching.

Lowe (toe) remains out of the lineup for Friday's game against the Nationals.

Lowe hasn't played since suffering a fractured right pinky toe June 22. The Rays are facing a lefty in Mitchell Parker on Friday, so Lowe might not have been in the lineup anyway. If he remains out Saturday against righty Jake Irvin, a stint on the injured list may have to be considered. Jose Caballero is at second base Friday.

The Phillies activated Clemens (back) from the 10-day injured list Friday.

Clemens has missed most of June with back spasms but is ready to go following a six-game rehab stint which included a pair of home runs. He will give the Phillies an option both at first base and designated hitter while Bryce Harper (hamstring) and Kyle Schwarber (groin) are out.

Valdez is out of the lineup for Friday's game against San Diego, Christopher Smith of MassLive.com reports.

Despite the Red Sox facing a right-hander in Randy Vasquez, Valdez will take a seat, yielding to David Hamilton at second base while Ceddanne Rafaela fills in at shortstop. Valdez is slashing .212/.267/.404 with six home runs in 162 plate appearances this season.

Loftin went 0-for-2 with a walk and a stolen base in Thursday's 2-1 win over the Guardians.

Loftin has gone just 4-for-41 (.098) with a 5:10 BB:K over his last 14 contests. The versatile infielder got the start at third base for the second game in a row after CJ Alexander was at the hot corner for the two previous contests. The Royals are limiting Michael Massey to designated hitter to ease him in after another back injury, but once he's able to play the field, Loftin's usage is like to decrease. Loftin is slashing just .223/.322/.282 with one home run, one steal, 13 RBI and 14 runs scored over 122 plate appearances.

Hoerner went 3-for-5 with a two-run home run and a stolen base in Thursday's 5-3, 10-inning win over the Giants.

Hoerner blasted his third home run of the season in the third inning with a runner on and also stole his 14th base of the year The infielder is not known as a big power threat, as his career best in homers for a season is only 10, but he is a capable baserunner. Hoerner swiped a career-high 43 bases last year, and he had 20 stolen bases in 2022. Fantasy managers will hope he continues to run frequently the rest of the way.

Manager Aaron Boone said there's a "good chance" Torres returns to the lineup Friday, Erik Boland of Newsday reports.

Torres has been out of the lineup Wednesday and Thursday after slumping both at the plate and with the glove of late. Boone did not commit to any specific plan, so it will be important to check the official lineup before Friday's 7:07 pm ET first pitch.

Drury (illness) isn't in the Angels' lineup for Thursday's game against the Tigers, Rhett Bollinger of MLB.com reports.

Drury will be missing his seventh consecutive game as he continues to fight off an upper-respiratory virus. There hasn't been any sort of indication from the Angels that they will place him on the injured list, so the 31-year-old should still be considered day-to-day. Luis Rengifo will start at second base Thursday with Miguel Sano at third.