MLB Player News

Merrifield went 1-for-5 with a solo home run during a 3-2 win over the Tigers in the second game of Friday's doubleheader.

After going 3-for-5 in the opener, Merrifield came through with his second homer of the season in the nightcap -- both of which have come in the last three games. The 29-year-old is now slashing .271/.354/.400 on the year, and the surprising power he displayed in 2017 appears to be returning along with warmer weather.

Solarte went 1-for-4 with a walk and a solo home run in Friday's 8-5 win over the Yankees.

The 30-year-old now has five homers in 17 games to begin the season, with three of them coming in the last five contests. Solarte hit a career-high 18 home runs for the Padres last year, but the offseason change in league and home venue seems to have brought his power stroke to another level.

Ngoepe was sent down to Triple-A Buffalo on Friday.

Ngoepe appeared in 12 games for Toronto over the first few weeks of the season but wasn't able to make an impact at the plate, going just 1-for-18 (.056 average) with one walk and 12 strikeouts. The infielder will head back to the minor leagues to get everyday at-bats while Lourdes Gurriel takes his place on the Blue Jays' active roster.

Barreto is 0-for-6 with three walks and five strikeouts in his two games since returning to Triple-A Nashville from a stint with the Athletics.

The 22-year-old recently spent time with the big-league club while Chad Pinder was sidelined with a knee injury, yet ended up logging just one at-bat during his nine days with the Athletics. He's had trouble making contact since returning to the Sounds, but he'll look to work his way back to the form that led to a solid .290/.339/.456 line, 15 home runs and 54 RBI over 111 games with Nashville in 2017.

Altuve went 3-for-4 with a walk, double, run scored and four RBI Thursday against the Mariners.

To no one's surprise, Altuve has been getting on base at an excellent rate to begin the season, as he's now hitting .342/.398/.392 in 79 at-bats. However, in that same span, he has failed to hit a home run and has only one stolen base on one attempt. To live up to his lofty draft price, those stats will have to increase but his pedigree and track record suggest his lack of production in those areas won't last long.

Estrada (hip) was activated from the disabled list at High-A Tampa on Wednesday, Dan Martin of the New York Post reports.

The 22-year-old had been out since suffering a gunshot wound in February. The injury did little to hamper him in his season debut, as he went 3-for-5 with an RBI and a pair of runs scored. It's interesting that he was activated by High-A Tampa since he was expected to open the season at Triple-A, though Estrada could get to that level soon if he continues to hit like this.

Merrifield went 1-for-3 with a home run, two RBI, two runs and a pair of walks in Wednesday's loss to the Blue Jays.

Not much went right for the Royals on Wednesday, but Merrifield was a bit of a bright spot in reaching base three times and leaving the yard for the first time this year. Following a season in which he hit .288 with 19 home runs and 34 steals, owners certainly were hoping for more than what they've gotten so far out of the 29-year-old. He's struck out at least once in seven straight contests now -- and 10 of the last 11 -- so if he's able to put the ball in play more often or work more walks like he was able to Wednesday, the results may start to turn.

Torres (back) will man the hot corner and bat second for Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre on Wednesday.

Torres took a seat during Tuesday's contest after exiting Monday's game with back stiffness but appears to be ready for action following a little time off. Through 11 games with Scranton/Wilkes-Barre, Torres is hitting .366 with a .923 OPS and 10 RBI.

Solarte went 2-for-3 with a two-run homer and four RBI in Game 1 of Tuesday's doubleheader against the Royals.

Solarte also knocked a two-run single as the Blue Jays cruised to an 11-3 win. The 30-year-old followed it up with an 0-for-5 showing in Game 2 of Tuesday's twin bill, but he's still hitting a solid .280 with a .913 OPS. Solarte owns a career .747 OPS over five major-league seasons, so he likely won't sustain his hot start, but he's a decent stopgap until Josh Donaldson (shoulder) is healthy.

Motter was optioned to Triple-A Tacoma on Tuesday.

Motter was sent down in order to clear room for spot starter Ariel Miranda. The utility man's performances haven't merited a demotion, as he hit .267/.353/.467 over 17 plate appearances, but he's a fringe player with options remaining, so he ended up being the odd man out. He could be shuttling back and forth along Interstate 5 a lot this season. His 10 homers and 12 steals in 390 career plate appearances make him an intriguing budget power-speed option during his stays with the Mariners, though his .198 career batting average gives him a pretty low floor.