MLB Player News

Matthews will start in center field and bat eighth in Sunday's game against the Rangers.

Matthews will cover center field for the fifth time in six games, with two of his starts during that stretch coming against right-handed pitchers. He had previously been handling a short-side platoon role, but Matthews looks like he's supplanted the struggling Taylor Trammell as the preferred option in center.

Trammell is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Rangers.

On the bench for the fifth time in six games, Trammell looks to have ceded his role as the Astros' primary center field to Brice Matthews. Dating back to June 13, Trammell has produced a weak .128/.190/.359 slash line while striking out at a 31 percent clip over 18 games.

Hancock was removed from Sunday's start against the Rays with an apparent hand injury, Shannon Drayer of SeattleSports.com reports.

The right-hander remained in the game after being struck in the hand by a comebacker during the opening frame, but he was lifted after issuing a two-out walk in the second inning. The specifics of the injury aren't yet clear, but for now the 27-year-old should be considered day-to-day.

Roden will start in right field and bat seventh in Sunday's game against the Angels.

Roden was left out of the lineup for Tuesday's 3-1 win over the Guardians after being called up from Triple-A St. Paul that day, but he's picked up starts in each of the Twins' ensuing five games. He's thus far gone 3-for-11 with two walks and three RBI while slotting between the sixth and eighth spots in the lineup. Roden should get the chance to play regularly against right-handed pitching while Byron Buxton (hip) is on the shelf.

Caratini is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Angels.

On the bench for the third time in four games, Caratini has faded back into the No. 2 role at catcher following Ryan Jeffers' recent return from the injured list. While Jeffers was on the shelf, Caratini produced admirably in his stead, slashing .281/.361/.491 with six home runs, 19 RBI and 15 runs over 34 games.

Gray is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Angels.

Though he had started against three straight right-handed pitchers, Gray will give way to Ryan Kreidler on Sunday against Angels righty Jose Soriano. Gray could still rank as the Twins' preferred option at shortstop coming out of the All-Star break, as Kreidler has fizzled at the plate of late. Since churning out back-to-back three-hit performances June 20 and 21, Kreidler has slashed .167/.200/.250 over his subsequent 15 games.

Meckler is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Twins.

Meckler will head to the bench for the Angels' final game before the All-Star break, ending a streak of three consecutive starts in which he went 6-for-11 to boost his batting average to .307 through 42 games with the big club. Heading into the second half, Meckler may need to stay hot at the plate in order to ward off Josh Lowe for playing time, although the trade deadline could create room in the lineup for both outfielders.

Grissom is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Twins.

Though he'll be giving way to Oswald Peraza at second base in the series finale, Grissom may have inched ahead of him on the depth chart after a strong finish to the Angels' first-half schedule. Grissom had started the previous four games, going 7-for-17 with a home run, a double, a walk, six RBI and three runs during that span. The 25-year-old now maintains a .708 OPS on the season, placing him slightly ahead of Peraza's .663 mark.

Diaz is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Rangers, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.

Diaz started the previous three games and will sit for the first-half finale after going 3-for-11 with two doubles, a homer, two RIB and two runs during that stretch. Christian Vazquez will take over and bat ninth against Texas lefty MacKenzie Gore.

The Rangers placed Martin on the 15-day injured list Sunday due to a right shoulder impingement.

It's unclear when Martin sustained the injury, but he's been struggling of late with seven runs allowed in four outings since returning in early July from a prior shoulder issue. The veteran right-hander will be eligible to be reinstated in late July.