MLB Player News

Rosario is hoping to return to the lineup Friday versus the Marlins after an MRI on his back was negative, Zack Meisel of The Athletic reports.

There's an outside chance Rosario could be available sooner than that, but it sounds like Friday is realistically his first shot to be back in action. Rosario hasn't played since Saturday because of a back issue. Tyler Freeman has been recalled and is starting the first game of Tuesday's doubleheader versus the Tigers.

Espinal went 1-for-1 with a solo home run in Monday's 9-2 loss against Houston.

Espinal replaced Bo Bichette at shortstop in the bottom of the seventh, and he hit his first homer of the season in the top of the eighth. It was only the third hit this season for the backup middle infielder, who's appeared in just 10 of Toronto's 17 games.

Rosario (back) is out of the lineup for the first game of Tuesday's doubleheader with the Tigers.

Rosario is dealing with a minor back issue and will sit out at least the first game of Tuesday's twin bill. Tyler Freeman will get the nod at shortstop in the early game in Rosario's stead.

Semien went 1-for-3 with a solo home run and an additional run scored in Monday's 4-0 win over the Royals.

Semien reached on an error by third baseman Hunter Dozier to start the game and came around to score on a three-run homer by Josh Jung. The second baseman extended the Rangers' lead to 4-0 with a solo shot in the third, marking his third long ball of the season. During Semien's current four-game hitting streak, he has totaled three extra-base knocks, six RBI and six runs.

Dubon went 1-for-3 with an RBI and a run scored Monday against the Blue Jays.

Dubon led off the bottom half of the first inning with a single, and he ultimately came around to score as the Astros put up seven runs in the frame. He hit atop the order for the third consecutive game, though that's likely to be a short-term role only so long as Chas McCormick (eye) is sidelined. On the other hand, Dubon has started eight consecutive contests at second base and appears to be the preferred option at the position in Jose Altuve's (thumb) absence. Dubon has taken advantage of his opportunity early on by reaching base at a .357 clip and scoring 10 runs across 56 plate appearances.

The Mariners placed Haggerty on the 7-day concussion injured list Monday, Daniel Kramer of MLB.com reports.

Haggerty crashed on his head while diving for a ball during Friday's game against the Rockies and hasn't been in the lineup since. Marco Gonzales will take his place on the roster after being reinstated from the paternity list.

Red Sox manager Alex Cora said after Monday's 5-4 loss to the Angels that Arroyo dealt with lower-body cramping during the contest and is being evaluated, Mac Cerullo of the Boston Herald reports.

With the benefit of a lengthy rain delay, Arroyo was able to stay in the game and finished the day with an 0-for-3 showing in three at-bats before being lifted for a pinch hitter in the bottom of the ninth. The 27-year-old has struggled to a .160 average over his first 50 at-bats of the 2023 season.

Espinal is out of the lineup for Monday's game against the Astros.

Espinal had started in four of the past five games, but playing time could be harder to come by in the future while Toronto has all of its key position players at full strength. Moreover, Espinal hasn't helped his case for continuing to earn more work in the infield over the likes of Whit Merrifield and Cavan Biggio by getting off to a miserable start to the season at the plate. Through 33 plate appearances this season, the 2022 All-Star is slashing .065/.121/.065.

Merrifield is out of the lineup for Monday's game against the Astros.

Merrifield and Santiago Espinal have typically been the leaders of the Blue Jays' committee approach to the keystone, but both players will take a seat in the series opener while Cavan Biggio gets the nod at the keystone. Of the three players, Merrifield has been the best performer through the first two and a half weeks of the season, posting a .661 OPS to Biggio's .556 and Espinal's .186.

Lopez will start at shortstop and bat eighth in Monday's game against the Rangers.

Lopez will make his fifth consecutive start Monday, this time filling in at shortstop while Bobby Witt serves as a designated hitter. The 27-year-old had previously made three starts at third base and one at second base over his last four contests, going a collective 4-for-12 with two doubles, two walks and two runs in those games. The keystone likely represents Lopez's clearest path to playing time moving forward, given that incumbent Michael Massey has struggled to a .116/.111/.140 slash line so far this season and is being benched Monday for the second straight game.