MLB Player News

Merrifield went 4-for-4 with a two-run homer in Monday's loss to Tampa Bay.

Merrifield was perfect at the plate Monday, highlighted by his two-run shot to put Toronto on the board in the fourth inning. He was stuck in a 9-for-43 (.209) slump since his last multi-hit game May 7. Merrifield is now slashing .287/.339/.387 with 11 extra-base hits and 19 RBI through 41 games.

Arroyo (hamstring) is expected to head out on a rehab assignment Friday, Christopher Smith of MassLive.com reports.

Arroyo was originally on track to begin a rehab assignment Tuesday, but the Red Sox will give him a few more days to rest and recover. He has an outside shot to rejoin the big club before May comes to a close.

Rodgers (shoulder) is ahead of schedule and has a chance to return later this season, Rockies manager Bud Black told Thomas Harding of MLB.com on Monday.

Rodgers -- who underwent surgery to repair a capsule tear in his left shoulder in early March -- was taking grounders at Coors Field pregame Monday. There is no timetable for his return, but he's progressing well and the team hasn't given up hope that he could make a late-season return. Fantasy managers would be wise not to count on it, however.

Valdez (undisclosed) has returned to the Red Sox' lineup for Monday's game against the Angels, Ian Browne of MLB.com reports.

Valdez was lifted from Sunday's game versus the Padres with an undisclosed issue, but whatever it was no longer appears to be of concern. He's at second base and batting seventh against Jaime Barria.

Urias (hamstring) will begin a rehab assignment with Triple-A Nashville on Tuesday or Wednesday, Curt Hogg of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reports.

Urias has been playing in some extended spring training games lately without issue and is almost ready to test things out in official rehab contests. He's been on the shelf since suffering a strained hamstring on Opening Day and isn't eligible for activation until May 31.

Diaz was optioned to Triple-A Las Vegas by the Athletics on Monday.

Diaz earned regular starts at second base for a while, but he's seen that playing time dip of late as he slumped at the plate. The 22-year-old will try to get back on track at Las Vegas and earn another opportunity.

Espinal was placed on the 10-day injured list by the Blue Jays on Monday with a right hamstring inflammation, Hazel Mae of Sportsnet reports.

There had been hope Espinal would avoid the IL and the fact that the Jays are calling it inflammation and not a strain would seem to suggest they're just being extra cautious. Otto Lopez is up to take Espinal's roster spot.

The Royals activated Lopez (appendectomy) from the 10-day injured list Monday.

Lopez has been out of commission all month following an appendectomy. Now that he's healthy again, Lopez will likely see at least semi-regular starts at either second or third base, but other than a modicum of speed, the 29-year-old offers little else to get excited about from a fantasy perspective.

Donovan is not in the starting lineup Monday versus the Reds, John Denton of MLB.com reports.

Donovan will get a breather after he went 1-for-14 with two runs scored, two walks and four strikeouts over the Cardinals' four-game series with the Dodgers. Additionally, left-hander Brandon Williamson is on the mound for the Reds, so righty bat Juan Yepez will take over in left field and bat fifth in the series opener with Cincinnati.

Rojas is starting at third base and batting sixth for the Diamondbacks on Monday in Philadelphia.

Rojas has flip-flopped with Pavin Smith for the second game in a row, with Smith being elevated to the leadoff spot. After a nice first three weeks of the season, Rojas is sporting just a .534 OPS across his last 23 contests.