MLB Player News

Rodgers went 0-for-4 with a strikeout Friday against the Reds.

Rodgers returned after a one-game absence caused by a dental issue. After the hitless performance, he has only three hits across 29 at-bats with two RBI and two runs scored through seven games of the team's current road trip. Though the majority of his production has come at home, Rodgers has maintained a .274/.325/.416 line across 514 plate appearances on the season.

Kemp went 1-for-4 with a two-run single in a loss to the Orioles on Friday.

The veteran tied the game at 2-2 with his fifth-inning knock, which plated Dermis Garcia and Vimael Machin. Kemp extended his hitting streak to six games in the process, a span during which he's hitting .308 (8-for-26), hasn't struck out and has accumulated six RBI thanks to a .429 average with men on base.

McNeil went 3-for-4 with a double and two runs scored in Friday's 7-3 win over the Nationals.

The 30-year-old continues to punish the baseball. McNeil has racked up three or more hits five times in his last 18 games, and he's slashing .380/.397/.493 over that stretch with eight doubles, three RBI and eight runs scored. The lack of counting-stat production isn't ideal, but McNeil's .319 batting average would be a career high for a full season if he can maintain it over the final weeks.

Drury was removed from Friday's win over the Dodgers due to a head contusion, Annie Heilbrunn of the San Diego Union-Tribune reports.

Drury was hit in the head by a pitch in the top of the sixth inning Friday and initially remained in the game, but he was replaced defensively in the bottom half of the frame. Manager Bob Melvin said after the game that Drury was removed as a proactive measure, but the 30-year-old will undergo testing and be monitored ahead of Saturday's matchup.

Arroyo started at first base and went 1-for-4 with two RBI in Friday's 9-1 win over Texas.

Arroyo is part of a three-man rotation at first base but is the hottest hitter of the group, which also includes Franchy Cordero and Bobby Dalbec. Eric Hosmer is also in the mix, but he's on the injured list with lingering back scoreless. Conceivably, Arroyo could play a lot at first base over the final month, but the Red Sox may be tempted to call up prospect Triston Casas to give him an introduction to the majors in advance of potentially being the primary first baseman in 2023.

Espinal went 2-for-3 with a two-run double in Friday's 4-0 win over Pittsburgh.

Espinal knocked in Cavan Biggio and Matt Chapman on a double in the fourth inning. They were the only runs of the game until Bo Bichette launched a two-run shot in the ninth. For Espinal, they were his first RBI since Aug. 18. He has had a rough stretch since then, going 3-for-21 until his two-hit outing Friday. The second baseman is slashing .268/.321/.378 on the season.

Stefanic (back) went 1-for-3 with a double, two walks, a run and an RBI for Triple-A Salt Lake on Friday.

Stefanic missed a few games earlier this week due to back spasms, but he was back as the Bees' designated hitter Friday. The 26-year-old has shown excellent on-base skills in the minors this season, slashing .293/.401/.371 in 68 contests at the Triple-A level. However, he struggled in a 16-game stint in the majors in July, batting a paltry .167 with only one extra-base hit over 42 at-bats.

Altuve went 1-for-4 with a stolen base, a walk and two runs scored in Friday's 4-2 win over the Angels.

This was the third straight game in which Altuve has scored two runs as he continues to be effective atop the Astros' order. The steal was his first in over two weeks since he swiped a pair of bags versus the White Sox on Aug. 17. The second baseman is up to 13 steals in 14 attempts while adding 22 home runs, 48 RBI, 78 runs scored and a .286/.374/.512 slash line through 114 contests.

Lux was scratched from Friday's lineup against the Padres due to a back injury, Rowan Kavner of Fox Sports reports.

Lux dealt with a neck injury in late August, but his back is bothering him Friday, which resulted in his removal from the lineup. Hanser Alberto is taking his place at shortstop, and Lux should tentatively be considered day-to-day.

Lux was scratched from Friday's lineup against the Padres for an undisclosed reason, Juan Toribio of MLB.com reports.

Lux was removed from the lineup several hours before the start of Friday's game, and it's not yet clear whether the scratch was due to an injury. Hanser Alberto will take over at shortstop and bat ninth. Whether Lux is available off the bench remains to be seen.