MLB Player News

Rivera will start at third base and bat fifth in the first game of Monday's doubleheader with the Tigers.

Rivera will pick up his fourth start in six games, and with Whit Merrifield (toe) revealing Monday that he'll likely be sidelined through the All-Star break, the 26-year-old could be in line for a near-everyday role during the Royals' eight-game week. How extensively Rivera is used may hinge on the Royals' willingness to play infield prospect Maikel Garcia, who is on the taxi squad and could be formally called up from Double-A Northwest Arkansas if Merrifield is moved to the injured list. Rivera has opened July with a six-game hitting streak, during which he's batted .444 with a pair of home runs.

Urias went 2-for-4 with three RBI in Sunday's 9-5 win over the Angels.

Urias went hitless in three at-bats Saturday but bounced back during Sunday's series finale by matching his season-high mark of three RBI in a game. Over his seven games since returning from the injured list, he's hit .350 with six RBI, two runs, two walks and a strikeout.

The Royals plan to call up Garcia on Monday, Daniel Alvarez-Montes of El Extrabase reports.

Garcia performed well at Double-A Northwest Arkansas to begin the season, slashing .283/.362/.395 with three homers, 57 runs, 30 RBI and 27 stolen bases. Although he doesn't have experience above the Double-A level, he'll likely have a chance to carve out playing time in the Royals' infield if Whit Merrifield (toe) is forced to miss time.

Ramirez went 1-for-4 with a stolen base Sunday in a 5-1 loss in Kansas City.

Ramirez singled and stole second base in the first inning but was left stranded. While the veteran has an impressive 38:34 BB:K, he has struck out more recently, fanning 11 times and walking just three times in his last 10 games. However, with 13 stolen bases and 17 homers, he has a chance to record his second career 30-30 season.

Toro is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Blue Jays.

He'll be on the bench for the second time in four contests after having recently completed a nine-game run in the starting nine. With Jesse Winker set to return from suspension for Tuesday's game in Washington, Toro's opportunities may become more scarce in the final week before the All-Star break.

Chapman is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Mariners.

Chapman will sit Sunday after posting a .597 OPS and 27.8 percent strikeout rate in his past nine games. Santiago Espinal will shift to the hot corner while Cavan Biggio starts at second base.

Candelario is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the White Sox.

With four hits -- including a home run -- to go with two walks, four RBI and four runs over his last four starts, Candelario's dormant bat is beginning to warm up. He'll give way at third base to Harold Castro in Sunday's series finale, but Candelario still looks like the top option on the depth chart.

Urshela is out of the lineup for Sunday's game at Texas, Neil Solondz of the Rays Radio Network reports.

Urshela started the past three games and will receive Sunday off after going 5-for-12 with a double, a home run, two RBI and three runs scored during that stretch. Jose Miranda will take over at the hot corner in the series finale.

Miranda went 1-for-3 with a three-run home run in Saturday's 9-7 loss to the Rangers.

Miranda launched a fourth-inning blast that scored Carlos Correa and Jorge Polanco. It was Miranda's seventh home run of the year and his second in his last four games. The infielder has four total hits and only one strikeout during that span. The outing helped bring his season batting average up to .243.

Ramirez went 3-for-4 with a home run, a double, two runs and three RBI in a 13-1 win against the Royals on Saturday.

Ramirez was the driving force behind Cleveland's resounding victory with an RBI single in the first inning, two-run homer in the second and double in the fourth. The 29-year-old had been struggling through his first seven games of July with a .160/.222/.280 line and the long ball was his first since June 10. Through 79 games, Ramirez is slashing .291/.372/.585 with 17 homers, 12 stolen bases, 50 runs and 66 RBI.