MLB Player News

McNeil went 2-for-4 with a solo home run and an additional run scored in Wednesday's 15-5 loss to the Diamondbacks.

McNeil clubbed a solo homer to right field in the fifth inning of what turned out to be a blowout defeat. The 34-year-old has primarily played second base this season, though he started Wednesday's contest at first base, where Jonah Heim and Tommy White have also seen time while Nick Kurtz (thumb) has been sidelined. McNeil's playing time has decreased sharply in recent weeks, as his season slash line sits at .238/.301/.321 with four homers, 31 RBI, 28 runs and two stolen bases across 90 games.

The Royals signed Lopez to a minor-league contract Wednesday.

Lopez will backfill the Royals' organizational middle-infield depth after Andrew Velazquez was called up to grab Bobby Witt's (back) roster spot. The 30-year-old Lopez had been at Triple-A Tacoma in the Mariners organization, where he slashed .302/.379/.419 with two home runs and a 13:10 BB:K in 43 games. He hasn't played in the majors since 2023.

Meidroth went 4-for-4 with two RBI in Wednesday's 4-2 win over the Rangers.

His first two hits of the game were RBI singles. Meidroth has had a fairly consistent July at the plate, batting .293 (17-for-58) with four multi-hit efforts over 16 games. However, just three of those hits have gone for extra bases, and he's added only seven RBI. Meidroth is batting .277 with a .729 OPS, seven home runs, 34 RBI, 57 runs scored, 17 doubles and two stolen bases over 98 contests this season.

Lee went 1-for-4 with a three-run home run in Wednesday's 5-1 win over the Cubs.

Lee hit his fifth home run of the season in the fourth inning against Chicago starter Colin Rea with two runners on, which helped break the game open for the Tigers. The 23-year-old has held his own during his rookie campaign with a .256 batting average and .685 OPS across 60 contests. However, the recent return of Gleyber Torres (oblique) from the injured list is likely to cut into Lee's playing time at second base.

Altuve is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Marlins.

Altuve will head to the bench for the first time since June 28, ending a streak of 17 consecutive starts. Nick Allen will fill in for Altuve at the keystone in the series finale.

Torres isn't in the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Cubs, Evan Woodbery of MLive.com reports.

After going 2-for-7 with two walks through the first two games of the series, Torres will move to the bench Wednesday as the Tigers look to ease him back to action following a month-long stay on the IL. Hao-Yu Lee will pick up a start at second base as a result and bat eighth.

Williamson is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game in Toronto, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Richie Palacios will check back in at second base Wednesday while Williamson retreats to the bench following a big performance in Tuesday's 12-2 win. Williamson delivered his second four-hit game in his last five starts, bringing his batting average up to .257 on the campaign.

Seigler is out of the lineup for the first game of Wednesday's doubleheader against the Orioles.

Seigler will likely be back in the starting nine for the nightcap, but he'll begin the first game of the twin bill on the bench. Romy Gonzalez will play second base in the matinee, and Masataka Yoshida has been elevated to the leadoff spot typically occupied by Seigler.

Lopez entered Tuesday's game in the fourth inning as a replacement for the injured Josh Jung (calf), going 2-for-3 with an RBI in a 10-0 win over the White Sox.

Lopez, who's been the primary second baseman during the month of July, entered to play shortstop while Ezequiel Duran shifted to third base. Depending on how Jung responds, Lopez could continue to defend shortstop or move back to second base Wednesday. The Rangers' primary starter at short, Corey Seager (back), is progressing in his rehab but has only hit off a batting tee, which indicates it will be at least another week or so before he returns. Once Seager returns, it's expected that Duran and Lopez will share second base, while also serving in utility roles.

The Athletics placed Kuroda-Grauer on the 10-day injured list Tuesday following surgery for a ruptured testicle.

The A's haven't provided a timeline for Kuroda-Grauer's return, though he will likely remain on the shelf beyond the 10-day minimum. Max Muncy will come up from Triple-A Las Vegas in a corresponding move and could see time at third base while Kuroda-Grauer is out.