MLB Player News

Biggio isn't starting Saturday against Tampa Bay.

Although the Blue Jays are facing a right-hander (Drew Rasmussen) during Saturday's matchup, Biggio will retreat to the bench once again. Whit Merrifield is starting at second base and appears to be the preferred option at the keystone while Santiago Espinal (oblique) is sidelined.

Massey will sit Saturday against Seattle.

Massey has been starting regularly since early August, but he now finds himself on the bench for the second time in three games. His .248/.323/.362 line through his first 44 major-league games doesn't make a great case for everyday at-bats, and he's gone just 1-for-16 with seven strikeouts in his last four appearances. Nicky Lopez will start at second base Saturday.

Gimenez went 1-for-3 with an RBI, a stolen base and a run scored in Friday's 6-3 win over the Rangers.

Gimenez has had a good week, going 8-for-20 with five RBI, four runs and a steal in his last five games. The speedy infielder is up to 19 steals this year, matching his total from the previous two years combined. He's added a .302/.374/.473 slash line with 16 home runs, 67 RBI, 63 runs scored, 25 doubles and three triples in 138 contests.

Clement was added to the Athletics' active roster Saturday.

The 26-year-old was claimed off waivers by Oakland on Friday and will join the active roster a day later after Sheldon Neuse was designated for assignment. Clement hit .200 with 18 runs and six RBI over 64 games with the Guardians earlier in the year, and he should serve as a utility man with his new club.

Arroyo (illness) isn't starting Saturday against the Yankees, Christopher Smith of The Springfield Republican reports.

Arroyo hasn't played since Sept. 18 due to a non-COVID illness, but he's with the Red Sox during their current road trip in New York. Enrique Hernandez will start at the keystone and bat fifth Saturday.

Altuve went 2-for-4 with a double Friday against the Orioles.

Altuve returned to the lineup after a one-game absence caused by an elbow issue. He showed no ill effects and extended his hitting streak to five games, during which he's collected 10 hits across 17 at-bats with six runs scored. Altuve has had an excellent season with a .297/.384/.515 slash line across 571 plate appearances.

Polanco is still feeling issues with his left knee and may not return this season, Do-Hyoung Park of MLB.com reports.

Polanco hasn't played in nearly a month due to left knee inflammation. Given that the Twins have endured a late-season collapse and are out of the playoff picture, there's now little reason to rush Polanco back if he's anything short of 100 percent.

Diaz isn't starting Friday against the Mets.

Diaz started the last four games and went 3-for-12 with two runs, a walk and two strikeouts. He'll get a day off while Stephen Vogt serves as the designated hitter and bats seventh.

Clement was claimed off waivers by the Athletics on Friday, Martin Gallegos of MLB.com reports.

The Guardians designated Clement for assignment earlier this week, but Oakland -- an organization with much less depth -- added him to the 40-man roster. Clement hit .200 with zero home runs and zero steals in 145 at-bats this season, but his defensive versatility is a selling point from a real-life perspective.

Arroyo has not played since Sept. 18 due to a non-COVID illness, but he is joining the team this weekend in New York, Pete Abraham of The Boston Globe reports.

He had been playing pretty regularly up until then, so this explains why he has been absent from the lineup for a few days. Arroyo was not yet at the park a couple hours before the game and he was not in Friday's lineup. He should return later this weekend.