MLB Player News

Martin will start in right field and bat third in Friday's game against the Blue Jays.

That the righty-swinging Martin is in the lineup versus lefty Patrick Corbin is not a surprise. However, he's now started in right field three times in the last four games, and the first two of those game against righties. Martin has been one of the Twins' best hitters this season and could be emerging as the team's preferred option in right field over the struggling Matt Wallner.

Volpe (shoulder) will not be activated from the 10-day injured list before Friday's game versus the Orioles, Brendan Kuty of The Athletic reports.

The Yankees had not ruled out the possibility of reinstating Volpe to make his season debut Friday, but the club has ultimately decided to give the shortstop at least one more rehab game with Double-A Somerset. He's hitting .303/.324/.394 with one home run, two stolen bases and a 1:7 BB:K in his first 10 rehab games. Jose Caballero will continue to handle shortstop for the Yankees until Volpe is deemed ready.

Smith is out of the lineup for Friday's game versus the Tigers.

It's the second straight game on the bench for the 28-year-old, both of which have come against a right-handed starter. Smith has a .193/.306/.217 slash line with just two extra-base hits through 98 plate appearances this season, and it appears those struggles have started to affect his playing time. Ezequiel Duran is again starting at second base Friday for Texas.

Hernaiz went 3-for-4 with two RBI in Thursday's 6-3 win over the Royals.

Hernaiz continued his recent hot stretch, reaching base three times on infield singles, with each hit contributing to a run -- including one that scored due to an error. The third baseman's approach has paid off lately, as he's batting 6-for-19 (.316) over his last six games. On the season, Hernaiz is slashing .256/.341/.333 with four RBI and three runs scored across 45 plate appearances.

Correa isn't in the lineup for the second game of Thursday's doubleheader against the Orioles, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports.

Correa went 1-for-5 with a strikeout during a loss in the early game Thursday, and he'll stay put in the dugout to begin the nightcap. His absence will allow Braden Shewmake to pick up a start at shortstop while batting ninth.

Holliday (hand) expects to resume his rehab assignment next week, Roch Kubatko of MASNSports.com reports.

Holliday's return from a broken hamate bone in his right hand has gone about as rough as possible, as he's had to be pulled off his rehab assignment twice now due to nagging soreness in the surgically-repaired hand. There remains no firm timetable for his return to the Baltimore lineup, and he needs to show he can make it through several rehab contests without issue. Holliday has slashed just .176/.250/.235 across 56 plate appearances in the minors this season.

Clement went 1-for-5 with a two-run home run in Wednesday's win over the Red Sox.

The 30-year-old infielder took Greg Weissert deep in the fourth inning for his first long ball of the season. Clement has hit safely in 15 of his last 18 games, slashing a sizzling .320/.338/.493 over that stretch with 10 doubles, six RBI and eight runs.

Perez is absent from the lineup for Thursday's game in Atlanta.

Perez has been playing fairly regularly between right and center field since he was recalled, but he'll take seat Thursday. Matt Vierling will occupy center field for Detroit in the series finale.

Barger will run the bases Thursday for the first time since injuring both his ankles on an awkward landing at first base April 5, and if that goes well he could begin a rehab assignment this weekend, Mitch Bannon of The Athletic reports.

A return to the lineup next week remains firmly on the table for Barger. The 26-year-old had gotten off to a slow start, going 1-for-19 (.053) through eight games before getting injured, so the organization may not rush him back from the rehab stint in order to give him a chance to find his timing at the plate. Once he's activated from the IL, Barger should reclaim his starting role against right-handed pitching in right field.

Duran started at second base and went 2-for-2 with a walk, a double and two runs scored in Wednesday's 3-0 win over the Yankees.

Duran got the start in place of primary second baseman Josh Smith, who got the first of a "couple of days off," per Evan Grant of the Dallas Morning News. Smith is scuffling with a slash line of .193/.306/.217 through 98 plate appearances. Meanwhile, Duran has been a useful fill-in at multiple positions and slashed .288/.354/.424 over 65 plate appearances.