MLB Player News
-
Nicky Lopez 2B | TEX
Rangers' Nicky Lopez: Settling in at shortstop
Lopez started at shortstop and went 1-for-3 with a double and an RBI in Wednesday's 9-4 loss to Cleveland.
Lopez played shortstop for a third consecutive game and should see time there in the short term after the club placed Corey Seager (back) on the injured list Wednesday. Ezequiel Duran had been the fill-in for Seager during a previous IL stint, but he's neeed in the outfield, which is also dealing with missing bodies due to injury. With Lopez shifting from second base to short, the keystone opens up for Cameron Cauley, Justin Foscue or Josh Smith. Lopez has hit safely in eight consecutive games, going 10-for-24 with two RBI in that stretch.
-
Jazz Chisholm 2B | NYY
Yankees' Jazz Chisholm: Returning to starting nine
Chisholm (head) will start at second base and bat fifth in Wednesday's game against the Tigers, Chris Kirschner of The Athletic reports.
After taking the brunt of a collision with teammate Jasson Dominguez in the fourth inning of Monday's 7-3 loss, Chisholm exited the game and was placed in concussion protocol. The 28-year-old was never officially diagnosed with a concussion and didn't experience anything more than soreness following the collision, but the Yankees held him out of the lineup Tuesday since he still needed to pass one more medical test. Now seemingly in the clear on the health front, Chisholm will rejoin the starting nine for the series finale and should handle an everyday role moving forward.
-
Josh H. Smith 2B | TEX
Rangers' Josh Smith: Back with big club
The Rangers recalled Smith from Triple-A Round Rock on Wednesday, Evan Grant of The Dallas Morning News reports.
Smith has hit only .218/.316/.248 during his time with the Rangers this season and has also missed time with injuries. He slashed just .224/.309/.397 in 14 games with Round Rock, but the Rangers could use Smith's versatility as they navigate injuries.
-
Luis Urias 2B | TOR
Blue Jays' Luis Urias: On base three times in loss
Urias went 2-for-3 with a walk in Tuesday's loss to the Mets.
Getting another start at second base and batting seventh, Urias was the only Blue Jay to have much success against Nolan McLean and the New York bullpen in a 3-0 loss. Urias is making a case for more consistent playing time, and over his first seven games for Toronto he's batting .400 (6-for-15) with a double, a homer and more walks (three) than strikeouts (two).
-
Travis Bazzana 2B | CLE
Guardians' Travis Bazzana: Day off amid rough patch
Bazzana is not in the lineup for Wednesday's contest versus the Rangers.
Bazzana has gone just 2-for-29 with a 1:10 BB:K over his last seven games. Additionally, the Rangers are starting southpaw MacKenzie Gore, presenting a good opportunity for the left-swinging Bazzana to get a break during the afternoon contest. Daniel Schneemann will fill in for the Guardians at second base.
-
Nicky Lopez 2B | TEX
Rangers' Nicky Lopez: Covers shortstop again
Lopez moved from second base to shortstop in the first inning of Tuesday's 4-2 win over the Guardians. He went 1-for-3 with a run scored.
Lopez opened the game at second base, but shortstop Corey Seager was pulled from the game in the first inning with back discomfort. Ezequiel Duran might normally take over at shortstop, but he's been needed in the outfield, where both Brandon Nimmo (shoulder) and Wyatt Langford are battling injuries. This was Lopez's second consecutive game playing shortstop.
-
Luke Keaschall 2B | MIN
Twins' Luke Keaschall: Receiving break Tuesday
Keaschall is out of the lineup for Tuesday's game against the Astros.
After making his first 72 starts of the season at second base, Keaschall moved to right field for his last four starts. Though Keaschall will give way to Austin Martin on Tuesday, the Twins appear committed to giving the 23-year-old an extended look at the new position, so he could soon gain outfield eligibility in fantasy leagues. That said, Keaschall may need to improve his all-around production before managers in shallower leagues can feel comfortable including him in lineups at any position. While he's stayed healthy throughout the season and has been a solid source of speed with 12 stolen bases, Keaschall's numbers are lacking in just about every other category (.245 average, two home runs, 40 runs, 24 RBI).
-
Nick Sogard 2B | BOS
Red Sox's Nick Sogard: Beginning assignment Thursday
Sogard (oblique) will begin a rehab assignment Thursday, Gabrielle Starr of the Boston Herald reports.
It's still unknown whether Sogard will begin his rehab assignment at Double-A or Triple-A, but either way, the 28-year-old's return to game action will mark significant progress in his recovery. He's been on the shelf since June 3 due to an oblique strain and could be cleared to return from the injured list before the All-Star break to help stabilize a Boston infield unit that has been hit hard by injuries recently.
-
Jeff McNeil 2B | ATH
Athletics' Jeff McNeil: On bench versus lefty
McNeil is not in the lineup versus the Dodgers on Tuesday.
McNeil is starting Tuesday's game from the bench while the Dodgers send southpaw Justin Wrobleski to the mound. The second baseman did not start in Monday's game either due to another lefty, Eric Lauer, starting. Joshua Kuroda-Grauer is starting at second base and is batting ninth Tuesday.