MLB Player News

Motter entered Tuesday's 10-9 win over the Phillies in the fourth inning following Robinson Cano's quad injury and went 1-for-2 with a game-winning RBI double, a walk and a run.

Motter played a key role after being pressed into duty, with his ninth-inning two-bagger bringing home Jean Segura with what would turn out to be the winning run. The versatile utility man had been mired in a 2-for-17 slump that spanned the prior seven games, but he's now managed to smack a trio of doubles over the last three contests and has reached safely in all four games he's appeared in thus far in May.

Espinosa is not in the lineup Tuesday against the Athletics, Jeff Fletcher of The Orange County Register reports.

Espinosa has just two hits in his last 50 at-bats and is batting just .142 on the season, so he'll take a seat as Cliff Pennington gets the nod at second base in his stead. If Espinosa doesn't turn things around quickly, he could continue to see Pennington steal some of his playing time.

Jones, 19, is batting just .184/.222/.301 with three home runs, eight RBI and five steals through 25 games for Low-A Burlington.

Jones is considered one of the top prospects in the Angels organization, but he has struggled to make contact during the early portion of the 2017 campaign. Still, he has the potential to hit 10 home runs and steal 20 bases at a minimum, so he is worth keeping track of as he continues to mature and progress.

Espinosa went 0-for-4 with two strikeouts in Monday's 3-2 extra-innings loss to the Athletics.

Espinosa didn't start Monday's game, but he was forced into action when Andrelton Simmons suffered a bruised left hand and right thumb when he was hit by a pitch in the first inning. Espinosa extended his hitless streak to 31 at-bats, and his average is down to an embarrassing .142 on the year. The 30-year-old has a whopping 41 strikeouts and only seven walks, putting him in danger of losing more playing time to Cliff Pennington at the keystone.

Espinosa is not in the lineup Monday against the Athletics.

Espinosa will take a seat for the second time in three games amidst a brutal 2-for-46 (.043) slump at the plate. Cliff Pennington is starting at the keystone in his stead.

Merrifield will start at second base and bat sixth in the order Monday against the Rays, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

In an effort to shake up the lineup after the Royals were limited to one hit in Sunday's loss to the Indians, manager Ned Yost has decided to drop Merrifield five spots in the order. Given the lack of appealing alternatives at the top of the lineup, it's not out of the question for Merrifield to eventually reclaim leadoff duties, but he may have to offer more production at the plate in subsequent contests before moving up. Merrifield is batting .143/.196/.214 over his last 11 games.

Altuve went 2-for-4 with a three-run home run in Sunday's 5-3 win over the Angels.

Altuve's third-inning homer, his fifth of the season, shifted the momentum in the game after the Angels jumped out to a 2-0 lead. The homer also atoned for him getting picked off first base in the first inning with Carlos Correa at the plate. A perennial MVP candidate, he's hitting a blistering .419 on the road this season compared to .236 at home, though those numbers should balance out as the season wears on. The Astros are off Monday and return to Houston for a quick two-game set against the Braves.

Motter went 2-for-4 with an RBI double, another two-bagger and a run in Saturday's 8-2 win over the Rangers.

After a hot start that had his average sitting at .321 on April 17, Motter had hit the skids at the plate, hitting safely in just seven of his subsequent 43 at-bats coming into Saturday. His effort against the Rangers represented his first multi-hit game since April 26, which also marked the date of his last extra-base hit. Despite the recent struggles, Motter offers tremendous defensive versatility. However, rookie Ben Gamel, who can back up all three outfield positions in his own right, could conceivably endanger Motter's roster spot if he's able to sustain his current surge while Mitch Haniger (oblique) remains out.

Altuve is out of Saturday's lineup against the Angels.

Altuve will get the day off on h is 27th birthday. He is hitting .297/.373/.450 with four home runs and nine steals in 126 plate appearances this season. Marwin Gonzalez will get the start at second base and hit seventh against righty JC Ramirez.

Espinosa is out of Saturday's lineup against the Astros.

He is in a brutal 2-for-44 (.045 average) funk at the plate, so he will get his third day off in the last nine games. Cliff Pennington is starting at second base and hitting eighth against righty Lance McCullers.