MLB Player News

Espinal left Saturday's game against the Yankees after getting hit on the right hand or wrist, Keegan Matheson of MLB.com reports.

Espinal was struck by a Gerrit Cole fastball and left the game in obvious pain. Cavan Biggio replaced him as a pinch runner and could see more at-bats as Toronto's top utility infielder if Espinal is forced to miss time.

Andrus went 1-for-3 with a walk and two RBI on Friday against the Rays.

Andrus delivered an RBI single in the second inning and drew a bases-loaded walk one frame later to account for both of his RBI. He has at least one hit in six of his last seven games, scoring four runs and also swiping a bag in that span. Andrus is still climbing out of a slow start to the season and has a .217/.286/.261 slash line across 77 plate appearances.

Lowe went 1-for-4 with a walk, a two-run home run and a second run scored in Friday's 8-7 win over the White Sox.

The second baseman played hero in the bottom of the ninth inning, crushing a walkoff shot off Reynaldo Lopez to right field to keep the Rays undefeated at home to begin the season. Lowe has regained his power stroke after a tough 2022, slugging six long balls in 17 games after going yard only eight times in 65 contests last year, but perhaps more impressive has been his .291/.409/.636 slash line in 66 plate appearances -- not bad for a player with a career .251/.338/.500 line.

Dubon went 3-for-5 with a double, two runs, one RBI and a steal in Friday's win over Atlanta.

Dubon extended his hitting streak to 15 games with a single and a stolen base in the fifth inning. He doubled in a run in the seventh and later scored on Yordan Alvarez's ninth-inning blast. Dubon is slashing .343/.357/.403 with four extra-base hits and a 2:3 BB:K after his first multi-hit game since April 15.

Arroyo (hamstring) isn't starting Friday against the Brewers, Chris Cotillo of The Springfield Republican reports.

After missing a few games due to a hamstring injury, Arroyo seemed healthy enough to pinch hit Thursday against the Twins. However, his absence from the lineup suggests his hamstring might still be bothering him. Enrique Hernandez will start for Arroyo at second base Friday, and Yu Chang will get the nod at shortstop.

Polanco (knee) was activated Friday from the 10-day injured list, Aaron Gleeman of The Athletic reports.

Polanco is set to make his 2023 debut Friday night against the Nationals after missing the first three weeks of the season because of a lingering left knee injury. He slashed just .231/.323/.269 over 31 plate appearances on his eight-game minor-league rehab assignment, but the 29-year-old should be a useful fantasy option at second base as he returns to the Twins' active roster. Edouard Julien was sent out to Triple-A St. Paul in a corresponding move.

Julien was optioned Friday to Triple-A St. Paul, Aaron Gleeman of The Athletic reports.

Julien slugged two homers during his eight-game stay in the majors, but the Twins want him to get regular playing time and that was going to be difficult with Jorge Polanco (knee) coming off the injured list ahead of Friday night's game against the Nationals.

Merrifield is not in the starting lineup Friday against the Yankees.

Merrifield will take a seat after he extended his hit streak to seven games Wednesday, going 11-for-27 with three doubles, five RBI, four runs scored and two stolen bases over those contests. Cavan Biggio will draw the start at second base and bat eighth in the series opener with righty Domingo German on the mound for New York.

Rosario (back) has returned to the Guardians' lineup for Friday's game against the Marlins.

It will be Rosario's first start since Saturday, as he's been battling a back issue. All testing came back negative, clearing the way for his return. Rosario is at shortstop and batting second versus Braxton Garrett.

Hernandez went 3-for-5 with two runs scored in Thursday's 11-5 victory over the Twins.

After starting the season in a 5-for-44 slump, Hernandez has hit safely in his last seven contests, going 11-for-26 with three RBI and eight runs scored in that span. While his 25 percent K rate is still cause for some concern -- it would be his worst mark since 2016 if it doesn't improve -- Hernandez has been fairly productive while hitting in the middle of Boston's order. He's now slashing .229/.313/.400 with three homers, nine RBI and 15 runs scored through 80 plate appearances this season.