MLB Player News

Dubon went 2-for-7 with two doubles, two RBI and a run scored Friday against the Guardians.

Dubon has three consecutive multi-hit games, during which he's homered, hit three doubles, driven in three and scored twice. He isn't likely to have a consistent defensive home, but he has drawn starts at shortstop and left field in his last two contests. With Yordan Alvarez (oblique) sidelined, Dubon could be forcing his way into an outfield rotation with Chas McCormick, Corey Julks and Jake Meyers.

Altuve went 2-for-7 with a double, three runs scored and a stolen base in Friday's 10-9 extra-innings loss to the Guardians.

Due to injuries, it took the second baseman nearly two and a half months to record his first steal of 2023, but Altuve appeared to be healthy Friday as he scampered around the bases. The 33-year-old is slashing a paltry .246/.328/.421 through 64 plate appearances, but if he can stay in the lineup, Altuve is capable of improving those numbers in a hurry.

Hernandez went 1-for-4 with a solo home run in Friday's victory over the Yankees.

The 391-foot blast was his sixth homer of the season and ultimately proved to be the deciding run in the contest. The Red Sox have taken advantage of Hernandez's versatility as he has seen action all over the diamond, starting games at second base, shortstop and center field. The 31-year-old has struggled mightily at the dish, however, and over his last seven games he has been particularly bad with a .160 average to go along with eight strikeouts.

Caballero went 0-for-2 with two walks, a stolen base and one run scored in Friday's 5-4 loss to the Angels.

Caballero has gotten on base in five of his last seven plate appearances, logging four walks and a hit-by-pitch in that span. The second baseman was able to get a start against right-hander Shohei Ohtani on Friday, but Caballero seems to be more of a short-side platoon option at best, and that's not guaranteed to hold with Dylan Moore back from the injured list. Caballero is slashing .244/.396/.360 with two home runs, 13 RBI, 16 runs scored and seven steals through 111 plate appearances this season.

Polanco is undergoing an MRI on his left hamstring Friday, Betsy Helfand of the St. Paul Pioneer Pressreports.

Polanco is absent from the Twins' starting lineup for Friday night's series opener in Toronto after tweaking his hamstring in Thursday's series finale versus the Rays. He's considered day-to-day for now but could require another IL stint if the MRI shows anything at all concerning. The 29-year-old middle infielder has been limited to 30 games (127 plate appearances) this season.

Dubon is starting in left field and batting leadoff Friday in Cleveland.

It's just the second start in left field for Dubon this season, but he could receive a boost in playing time in the outfield while Yordan Alvarez (oblique) is on the shelf. The fact that Dubon is hitting leadoff while Jose Altuve is in the No. 2 spot for the first game without Alvarez is also notable.

Valdez was optioned to Triple-A Worcester on Friday, Pete Abraham of The Boston Globe reports.

Valdez had some promising moments during his several-week run with the Red Sox, but he ultimately holds a .234 batting average and .280 on-base percentage through his first 101 major-league plate appearances. The 24-year-old infielder will head back to Worcester for a bit more minor-league seasoning.

Frazier isn't starting Friday against the Royals, Cordell Woodland of 105.7 The Fan Baltimore reports.

Southpaw Daniel Lynch will start the game for Kansas City, so the left-handed bat of Frazier will begin Friday in the dugout. Ramon Urias will fill in at the keystone while Frazier sits and bat fifth.

Torres is not in the starting lineup Friday against the Red Sox.

Torres will take a seat after he went 1-for-12 with a two-run homer over the three-game series with the White Sox. DJ LeMahieu will take over at second base while Josh Donaldson enters the lineup at third base and bats second in the series opener with Boston.

Polanco (hamstring) is not in the starting lineup Friday versus the Blue Jays.

Polanco pulled his left hamstring Thursday versus the Rays and he will head to the bench while nursing the injury. The 29-year-old returned from the 10-day injured list June 1 after a separate hamstring injury, so the team will likely be cautious with his return from this latest setback. Kyle Farmer will draw the start at second base and bat fifth in the series opener with Toronto.