MLB Player News

Stefanic is not in the starting lineup Sunday versus Atlanta.

Stefanic will be on the bench for the second time in three games to start the second half of the season after he went 0-for-3 with a strikeout in Saturday's loss. Luis Rengifo will slide over to second base while Andrew Velazquez enters the lineup at shortstop and bats ninth in the series finale.

Lowe is not in the starting lineup Sunday versus the Royals, Neil Solondz of the Rays Radio Network reports.

Lowe will get a breather after he went 3-for-9 with an RBI in the first two contests of the series. Yu Chang will take over at second base and bat seventh against Kansas City.

Frazier went 2-for-4 with a stolen base in a loss to the Astros on Saturday.

The All-Star break did nothing to cool off the veteran's bat, as Frazier has now hit safely in nine straight games. The veteran has five multi-hit efforts during that span as well, and he's raised his average 22 points to .240 since July 3.

Castro is starting at first base and batting third in Sunday's game against the Twins.

Though Castro is known for his defensive versatility, this will be his third straight start at first base, so he appears to be settling in at the position. The Tigers sent down the struggling Spencer Torkelson a week ago, which has opened up playing time at first. Castro, who's batting .284 this season, looks like a decent fantasy option given the opportunity for a regular role.

Espinal is not in the starting lineup Sunday versus the Red Sox.

Espinal will get a breather Sunday after he went 3-for-10 with three RBI and five runs scored in the first two contests of the series. Cavan Biggio will start at second base and bat sixth in the series finale.

Lopez is not in the starting lineup for Sunday's series finale versus the Rays.

Lopez will get a day off after he went 4-for-8 with two runs scored and a stolen base in the first two games of the series. Emmanuel Rivera will take over at the hot corner and bat seventh against Tampa Bay.

Rosario went 3-for-9 with a triple, three RBI, a run scored and a stolen base across both games of Saturday's doubleheader versus the White Sox.

Rosario did most of his work with a pair of singles, a steal and a run in the first game, though he added an RBI triple in the nightcap. The shortstop has nine multi-hit efforts in his last 20 games, batting .325 (25-for-77) in that span. For the season, he's slashing .295/.333/.412 with four home runs, 10 steals, 33 RBI, 54 runs scored, six triples and 17 doubles through 87 contests.

Merrifield went 3-for-4 with a double and two RBI in Saturday's 6-3 win over the Rays.

Merrifield provided a two-run double in the third inning, but he was thrown out trying to steal third to end the frame. He returned from a toe injury Friday and went 0-for-4, and Saturday's performance was far more impressive. Merrifield has now hit sixth in his last two games, with MJ Melendez instead batting leadoff, though neither of them have sustained a solid batting average this year. Merrifield is up to a .243/.294/.347 slash line with five home runs, 14 stolen bases in 17 attempts, 38 RBI and 45 runs scored through 381 plate appearances.

Short was optioned to Triple-A Toledo after Saturday's loss to the Twins, Evan Woodbery of MLive.com reports.

Shorts was optioned to make room for Rony Garcia (shoulder) to return from 15-day injured list to start Sunday. After being called up Thursday, the 27-year-old went 0-for-3 with a walk, a stolen base and a run scored in his only appearance in Game 1 of Thursday's doubleheader versus the Athletics.

Kemp isn't starting Saturday against the Rangers.

Kemp started the last two games and went 1-for-7 with an RBI and a walk. Chad Pinder will take his place in left field and bat fifth.