MLB Player News

Torres isn't starting Saturday against Boston.

Torres started the last four games and went 6-for-17 with a homer, two doubles, five runs, three RBI, two walks and five strikeouts. DJ LeMahieu is shifting to second base while Matt Carpenter enters the lineup in right field.

Altuve (leg) will return to the lineup as the designated hitter Saturday against Oakland, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.

Altuve left Thursday's game against the Angels with a bruised leg after getting hit by a pitch. He didn't take part in Friday's series opener against the Athletics but has been cleared to return at least as a hitter Saturday. It's possible he remains as a designated hitter Sunday in order to get a bit of extra rest heading into the All-Star break. Altuve was voted in as a starter for the American League but will skip the game due to the leg injury.

Kemp will sit Saturday against the Astros.

Kemp's day off against Justin Verlander marks the first time he's sat against a righty since May 8. He's gone quite cold at the plate recently, slashing .100/.156/.167 over his last 10 games. Seth Brown will get the start in left field in his absence.

Lowe (back) was reinstated from the 60-day injured list and is starting Saturday against the Orioles, Neil Solondz of the Rays Radio Network reports.

Lowe was sidelined since mid-May due to a stress reaction in his lower back, but he'll be available for the Rays' final two games prior to the All-Star break. He's starting at the keystone and batting second Saturday and should serve as the team's primary second baseman now that he's back to full health.

Lopez went 1-for-3 with an RBI and a stolen base in Friday's 8-1 loss to the Blue Jays.

A depleted Kansas City lineup couldn't get much going as a group, but Lopez was able to produce a little fantasy value. The steal was only his sixth of the season and his first since June 20, snapping a 20-game drought. Lopez is showing signs of regaining last year's form at the plate -- he's batting .333 (10-for-30) over his last 10 games.

Dubon went 1-for-4 in Friday's loss to the Athletics.

Dubon filled in at second base and hit atop the order with Jose Altuve (leg) sidelined. Even with Michael Brantley (shoulder) and Yordan Alvarez (hand) sidelined, Dubon has started only two of the team's last six games -- both of which have come with lefties on the mound. However, if the team allows Altuve to get some extra rest prior to the All-Star break, Dubon looks to be in a position to benefit.

Andrus went 1-for-4 with a two-run single and a run scored in a win over the Astros on Friday.

The veteran shortstop came through with a seventh-inning knock that erased a 1-0 deficit for the Athletics. Andrus has a trio of two-RBI efforts since July 4, and although he's hitting only .194 (6-for-31) in that span, that figure sits at an outstanding .444 when he's come up with runners on base.

Frazier went 2-for-4 with an RBI single, a walk and two runs in a win over the Rangers on Friday.

Frazier's third two-hit effort in the last four games extended his hitting streak to five contests and pushed his batting average to .234, the highest it's been since June 11. The 30-year-old is still below his career norms in multiple categories, but it appears he may finally be shaking some of the bad luck that's implied in the combination of his impressive 12.0 percent strikeout rate and 26.1 percent line-drive rate and atypically low .259 BABIP.

Castro went 3-for-4 with two doubles, a run scored and an RBI in Friday's loss to the Guardians.

Castro continues to play all over the diamond for the Tigers, recording a start at first base Friday after starting at shortstop Thursday, and he keeps on hitting. The 28-year-old utility player extended his hitting streak to four games and is now batting .280 for the season. While Castro doesn't offer a ton of power, he's often a fantasy asset when he's in the starting lineup due to his ability to make consistent contact.

Lowe (back) won't be activated Friday but could return Saturday or Sunday, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Lowe has been out for two months with a stress reaction in his lower back, but he's nearly ready to go after grabbing five hits in five rehab games. Previous reports cited Friday as a potential date for his return, but he'll need at least one or two more days before he's ready to go.