MLB Player News

Merrifield went 2-for-5 with a three-run home run, an additional RBI and an additional run scored in Friday's 12-2 win over Detroit.

Merrifield gave Toronto a 2-1 lead with an RBI single in the fourth and extended the Blue Jays' advantage to 12-2 with a three-run shot in the ninth. After hitting just two home runs over his first 78 games this season, Merrifield has connected on three long balls over the past two days. Overall, the veteran is slashing .286/.342/.395 with 19 stolen bases, 36 runs scored and 38 RBI across 322 plate appearances, and while his recent power surge is unsustainable, Merrifield is still a valuable offensive player for Toronto.

Kim was lifted from Friday's game against the Mets due to an apparent injury, AJ Cassavell of MLB.com reports.

Kim got cut down while trying to turn a double into a triple in the bottom of the seventh inning and may have tweaked something along the way. Rougned Odor entered at second base for the Padres in the top of the ninth with the game tied 3-3. Kim recorded a double, a walk and a run scored in four plate appearances out of the leadoff spot prior to his departure.

Drury was sent for more testing Friday due to ongoing shoulder discomfort, Jeff Fletcher of The Orange County Register reports.

Drury's injury was initially labeled as a left shoulder contusion when he was placed on the 10-day IL earlier this week, but it might be something more serious. The results of the new tests should be available over the weekend.

Vargas is not in the lineup Friday versus the Angels.

Mookie Betts will make his 19th start of the year at second base, and it's his sixth start there in the Dodgers' last 12 games. Vargas hit a double in Thursday's win over the Dodgers but holds a disappointing .197/.300/.370 slash line over 299 plate appearances.

Frazier is not in the starting lineup Friday against Minnesota.

Frazier will head to the bench after he went 5-for-15 with a homer, a double, three RBI and two runs scored over the four-game series with New York. Jordan Westburg will take over at second base and bat fifth in the series opener with the Twins.

Caballero is not in the starting lineup Friday against the Astros.

Caballero will take a seat after he went 0-for-4 with two strikeouts during Thursday's 5-1 win. Kolten Wong will take over at second base and bat ninth versus Houston.

The Cardinals recalled Fermin from Triple-A Memphis on Friday.

With Tommy Edman (wrist) landing on the injured list Friday, Fermin will be called up to provide infield depth. The 24-year-old hasn't posted remarkable numbers at Triple-A, slashing .167/.310/.333, although he's been on the injured list for most of the season due to a quad injury. Fermin's best opportunity for starts will come against left-handed pitching, though he figures to mostly be used off the bench.

Fermin will be recalled by the Cardinals prior to their weekend series against the White Sox, Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports.

Fermin has missed most of the minor-league season with a quad injury and is just 4-for-24 at the plate since joining Triple-A Memphis. With Tommy Edman (wrist) and Brendan Donovan (arm) banged up though, Fermin will provide the Cards with some infield protection. He'll be making his major-league debut when he gets into a game.

Arraez went 3-for-5 in Thursday's loss to the Cardinals.

Miami got shut out by Jack Flaherty and the St. Louis bullpen, but Arraez did his best to jumpstart the offense from the leadoff spot. The 26-year-old has hit safely in 16 of his last 17 games, slashing .418/.465/.532 over that stretch as he keeps the dream of a .400 season alive.

Hernandez went 1-for-4 with a walk, two RBI and two runs scored in Thursday's 10-6 win over the Rangers.

Hernandez, who has struggled both offensively and defensively this season and hadn't played since July 2, had the big hit during during Boston's six-run rally in the seventh inning. His broken-bat blooper, with an exit velocity of 52.7 mph and expected batting average of .150, fell into left field to plate the tying and go-ahead runs. With the expected return of Yu Chang (wrist) this weekend, Hernandez's playing time will be spotty going forward.