MLB Player News

Polanco went 1-for-4 with a solo home run during Sunday's loss to Cleveland.

The 23-year-old shortstop has started 31 of Minnesota's 34 games this season and sports a .254/.308/.373 slash line with two home runs, two stolen bases, 16 RBI and 13 runs. Those numbers don't move the needle in most fantasy leagues, but full-time at-bats make Polanco a serviceable option in cavernous mixed and AL-only settings.

Espinosa went 1-for-3 with a walk and a solo home run in Sunday's win over Detroit.

The streaky second baseman has now started two consecutive games after being benched in four of the previous five. The veteran responded with a fourth-inning homer off Justin Verlander that put the Angels ahead Sunday. With Yunel Escobar (hamstring) hitting the disabled list, infield playing time may open up again for Espinosa. He's batting just .147 on the season, but the 30-year-old has been known to go on power binges at times, so he could be worth a speculative add in deep leagues in hopes of catching one of his patented hot streaks.

Semien (wrist) remains without a timetable for having his cast removed, John Hickey of the East Bay Times reports.

Semien is scheduled to be reevaluated again in early June, at which point the Athletics could have a better idea of when he'll be able to take the cast off and resume baseball activities. For now, it looks like Semien will be limited to cardio workouts while he waits for the wrist to heal up. Adam Rosales has been serving as the Athletics' everyday shortstop while Semien has been sidelined.

Motter will start at second base and bat sixth Sunday against the Blue Jays.

With Robinson Cano (quad) due to miss another game, the versatile Motter will pick up his fourth straight start. The Mariners remain hopeful that Cano will be ready to return to the lineup Monday against the Athletics, at which point Motter's path to everyday duties will come to a close until another injury strikes one of Seattle's regulars.

Andrus went 2-for-4 with three RBI, a stolen base and a run in Saturday's 6-5 win over the Athletics.

With the Rangers trailing 4-2 in the seventh inning, Andrus delivered a clutch two-run single off Liam Hendriks, who had previously held the shortstop hitless in 12 career at-bats against him. It was Andrus' first multi-hit effort since May 5, breaking a seven-game stretch in which he went 4-for-26 (.154).

Andrus went 0-for-4 at the plate in Friday's 5-2 win over the Athletics.

Andrus has been stuck in an offensive funk for about a week now, as he's recorded a .154/.241/.154 line over the Rangers' last seven games. Manager Jeff Banister still chose to keep Andrus in the No. 2 spot in the order Friday, but the shortstop could soon plummet in the lineup now that Rougned Odor is starting to show some signs of life.

Espinosa is not in the lineup Friday against the Tigers, Jeff Fletcher of the Orange County Register reports.

This marks the fourth time in five games that Espinosa will head to the bench for a night off, seemingly signaling that he's been usurped in the pecking order at second base following his awful start to the season. Cliff Pennington seems like the main beneficiary from this development, and he'll pick up Friday's start as well.

Merrifield went 2-for-3 with a solo home run, two RBI and two runs during Thursday's win over Tampa Bay.

It was just the third home run of the season for Merrifield, and the second baseman currently sports a .217/.276/.377 slash line for the campaign. He's playing regularly, and there is value in full-time at-bats in deep settings, but Merrifield will need to show more at the dish before he's a serviceable option in the majority of seasonal leagues.

Espinosa is out of the lineup for Thursday's game against the Tigers.

Thursday's absence marks Espinosa's third in the past four games. The 30-year-old has been in a miserable funk at the plate this season -- an 0-for-3 showing Wednesday lowered Espinosa's batting average to .138 and his .456 OPS is the lowest among qualified hitters. We may see more and more of Cliff Pennington at second base.

Merrifield is not in the lineup Wednesday against the Rays.

Merrifield's performance at the plate has been awful lately. Over the last seven games he's gone just 4-for-28 (.143) and struck out 11 times. His recent troubles have brought his line down to .197/.250/.318 for the season. Cheslor Cuthbert will start in place of Merrifield on Wednesday.