MLB Player News

Espinal (oblique) has begun running the bases Friday and is ramping up baseball activity, Arden Zwelling of Sportsnet.ca reports.

Espinal has been out of action since Sept. 21 when he was removed from a game early. He remains on the injured list, but the Blue Jays will be evaluating him on a day-to-day basis going forward.

Rosario isn't in the lineup Friday against the Royals.

Rosario was an everyday player for most of September, but he'll be held out of the lineup for the second time in the last three games. Gabriel Arias is taking over at shortstop and batting second.

Arraez isn't in the starting lineup for Friday's contest in Detroit.

After going 5-for-13 with an RBI during Minnesota's last series against the White Sox, Arraez will take a day off. Gary Sanchez will serve as the Twins' designated hitter in his place and bat fourth.

Vargas went 1-for-2 with three RBI in Thursday's 5-2 win over the Padres.

Vargas put the Dodgers on the board in the second inning with a sacrifice fly, then broke a 2-2 tie in the sixth with a two-run single. It was his second straight contest with multiple RBI, though the previous performance came five days earlier. After starting his major-league career with just three hits in his first 24 at-bats, Vargas has gone 5-for-17 with a home run and six RBI over five games since Sept. 20. Manager Dave Roberts said after Thursday's victory that the rookie "is certainly in the mix to make the postseason roster," per Jack Harris of the Los Angeles Times.

Gonzalez went 1-for-4 with a triple, an RBI and a run scored Thursday against the Twins.

Gonzalez lined a ball to right field in the third inning, which turned into an RBI triple after it was misplayed by Matt Wallner. It was Gonzalez's first run batted in across his last 10 starts, and he's hit only .114 across his last 35 at-bats. Despite his struggles, Gonzalez should continue to get consistent run at second base to close the regular season.

Semien went 2-for-5 with two home runs and four RBI in Thursday's 10-9 extra-innings loss to the Mariners.

Semien accounted for two of the Rangers' five homers in the game, and he was one of three players across both teams to leave the yard twice. The infielder hit a two-run blast in the third inning, a solo shot in the seventh and a sacrifice fly in the 11th to account for his four RBI. He's up to 26 homers, 82 RBI, 99 runs scored, 24 stolen bases and a .255/.311/.444 slash line through 154 contests. Semien has hit safely in five straight games, going 7-for-20 with three homers in that span.

Rodgers (hamstring) went 0-for-4 with a strikeout in Friday's 6-4 loss to the Giants.

Rodgers had a minimal stay on the injured list, but he couldn't break out of his slump in his return. He's now stuck in an 0-for-15 skid that dates back to Sept. 13, and there's no guarantee he sees an everyday role over the last week of the season. He's down to a .259/.317/.393 slash line with 11 home runs, 61 RBI and 68 runs scored through 131 contests this year.

Rengifo went 2-for-5 with a solo home run in Thursday's win over the Athletics.

Rengifo led off the game with a bang, crushing a 1-0 fastball 418 feet to left field against Cole Irvin to put the Angels on the board. Rengifo also reached on an infield single in the second inning, giving him his seventh multi-hit game of September. In 107 at-bats this month, the 25-year-old is batting .290 (31-for-107) with five home runs.

Villar will sit Thursday against Colorado, Evan Webeck of The San Jose Mercury News reports.

Villar finds himself on the bench for the second time in three games. The 25-year-old has hit a passable .211/.315/.415 with seven homer in 47 games in his first taste of MLB action. Jason Vosler will be the third baseman Thursday, with J.D. Davis serving as the designated hitter.

Rodgers (hamstring) was reinstated from the 10-day injured list Thursday.

Rodgers was sidelined with a left hamstring strain over the last week and a half but will rejoin the Rockies after a minimal IL stint. The 26-year-old will reclaim his role as Colorado's primary second baseman over the final week of the regular season, while Connor Joe (shoulder) was placed on the injured list to make room for Rodgers on the active roster.