MLB Player News

Marte (illness) remains without a timetable to return from the 15-day disabled list, Greg Johns of MLB.com reports.

The young shortstop is battling a case of mono has lost a good bit of weight and strength as a result, according to Johns. With that, the Mariners will have to be patient and wait for Marte to get over the illness before he starts ramping up his activity. A return in early August looks more realistic for Marte than does a return when he's eligible to come off the DL on Friday.

Merrifield was optioned Tuesday, Jeffrey Flanagon of MLB.com reports.

Merrifield will likely head back to Triple-A Omaha as Raul Mondesi, one of Kansas City's top prospects, gets called up to the majors. Although Merrifield has been a productive batter in the Royals lineup, based on his .271 season average spanning 210 at-bats, he has also been slumping since mid-July, going 1-for-17 (.059) over his last seven games.

Forsythe went 1-for-4 with a two-run homer in Sunday's 3-2 loss to the A's.

The veteran second baseman was the hero of the moment in the top of the eighth, plating Kevin Kiermaier with a 434-foot shot to left that erased a 2-0 deficit. Although the significance of his feat was neutralized in the home half of the inning when Erasmo Ramirez yielded a solo shot to Billy Butler, the homer did extend Forsythe's hitting streak to six games. He's had a rough go of it overall in July, however, slashing just .212/.256/.353 and seeing his season average drop 28 points since the month began.

Torres has been traded to the Yankees as part of the deal that sent Aroldis Chapman to the Cubs, MLB Network Insider Jon Heyman reports.

Torres is the centerpiece of this deal for the Yankees. The 19-year-old shortstop is currently hitting .275/.359/.433 with nine home runs, 47 RBI and 19 stolen bases in 94 games at High-A Myrtle Beach. Torres will most likely head to High-A Tampa, joining current Yankees shortstop prospect Jorge Mateo. It's unclear what the plans are long term for Torres and Mateo, but the Yankees have time to sort out that situation.

Torres has been traded to the Yankees as part of the deal that sent Aroldis Chapman to the Cubs, MLB Network Insider Jon Heyman reports.

Torres is the centerpiece of this deal for the Yankees. The 19-year-old shortstop is currently hitting .275/.359/.433 with nine home runs, 47 RBI and 19 stolen bases in 94 games at High-A Myrtle Beach. Torres will most likely head to High-A Tampa, joining current Yankees shortstop prospect Jorge Mateo. It's unclear what the plans are long term for Torres and Mateo, but the Yankees have time to sort out that situation.

Forsythe went 1-for-4 with a two-run homer in Sunday's 3-2 loss to the A's.

The veteran second baseman was the hero of the moment in the top of the eighth, plating Kevin Kiermaier with a 434-foot shot to left that erased a 2-0 deficit. Although the significance of his feat was neutralized in the home half of the inning when Erasmo Ramirez yielded a solo shot to Billy Butler, the homer did extend Forsythe's hitting streak to six games. He's had a rough go of it overall in July, however, slashing just .212/.256/.353 and seeing his season average drop 28 points since the month began.

Altuve went 3-for-5 with two homers, two runs and six RBI on Sunday against the Angels.

Altuve launched a three-run homer to put the Astros on the board in the first inning before crushing his 17th bomb of the year in the following inning, leading to a blowout victory. He's now posted multiple hits in six of his last seven games, while slashing .360/.428/.575 on the season.

Giavotella is out of the lineup Sunday against the Astros, Jeff Fletcher of the Orange County Register reports.

With Giavotella stuck in a 2-for-23 slump dating back to July 9, his playing time has become a little more sporadic of late. Giavotella will now sit for the fourth time in seven games, giving way to Gregorio Petit at the keystone.

Merrifield is not in the lineup for Saturday's game against the Rangers, Josh Vernier of 610 Sports Radio Kansas City reports.

Merrifield has already lost his spot in the top third of the lineup and his playing time is now trending in the wrong direction, as Saturday's absence marks his fourth in the team's last seven games. He's batting just .180/.255/.260 in July. Christian Colon will get the nod at second base Saturday.

Semien is not in Friday's lineup against the Rays.

Semien will get the day off for the first time this season after making 96 straight starts to begin 2016. In his place, the club will turn to Arismendy Alcantara at shortstop for Friday's contest versus Jake Odorizzi.