MLB Player News

Espinal left Saturday's game against the Pirates with a left hand contusion.

X-rays were negative after Espinal was hit by a 97.9-mph fastball from Robert Stephenson in the eighth inning. If there's swelling, the Blue Jays could elect to go with Whit Merrifield or Cavan Biggio at second base for the series finale in Pittsburgh.

Polanco was placed on the 10-day injured list with left knee inflammation Saturday.

Polanco hasn't played in a week while dealing with what had been referred to as patellar tendinitis. The move was backdated the maximum of three days, so he'll be eligible to return next Saturday, though it's not yet clear if that's in play. Jermaine Palacios' contract was selected in a corresponding move.

Polanco (kneecap) isn't starting Saturday against the White Sox.

Polanco has been dealing with left patellar tendinitis recently and will remain out of the lineup for a sixth consecutive game. Nick Gordon is starting at the keystone and batting fifth.

Haggerty isn't starting Saturday against the Guardians.

Haggerty returned to action to close out the Mariners' series against Detroit but will now head to the bench for a second consecutive matchup. Mitch Haniger is starting in right field and batting third.

Rosario isn't starting Saturday against Seattle.

Rosario has gone just 2-for-19 with an RBI and eight strikeouts over the last five games and will get a day off Saturday. Tyler Freeman is starting at shortstop and batting second.

Massey isn't starting Saturday against the Tigers.

Massey started the last four games and went 6-for-13 with two doubles, two runs, an RBI, two walks and four strikeouts. He'll get a breather while Nicky Lopez starts at the keystone and bats ninth.

Kemp went 1-for-4 with a two-run single in a loss to the Orioles on Friday.

The veteran tied the game at 2-2 with his fifth-inning knock, which plated Dermis Garcia and Vimael Machin. Kemp extended his hitting streak to six games in the process, a span during which he's hitting .308 (8-for-26), hasn't struck out and has accumulated six RBI thanks to a .429 average with men on base.

Arroyo started at first base and went 1-for-4 with two RBI in Friday's 9-1 win over Texas.

Arroyo is part of a three-man rotation at first base but is the hottest hitter of the group, which also includes Franchy Cordero and Bobby Dalbec. Eric Hosmer is also in the mix, but he's on the injured list with lingering back scoreless. Conceivably, Arroyo could play a lot at first base over the final month, but the Red Sox may be tempted to call up prospect Triston Casas to give him an introduction to the majors in advance of potentially being the primary first baseman in 2023.

Espinal went 2-for-3 with a two-run double in Friday's 4-0 win over Pittsburgh.

Espinal knocked in Cavan Biggio and Matt Chapman on a double in the fourth inning. They were the only runs of the game until Bo Bichette launched a two-run shot in the ninth. For Espinal, they were his first RBI since Aug. 18. He has had a rough stretch since then, going 3-for-21 until his two-hit outing Friday. The second baseman is slashing .268/.321/.378 on the season.

Stefanic (back) went 1-for-3 with a double, two walks, a run and an RBI for Triple-A Salt Lake on Friday.

Stefanic missed a few games earlier this week due to back spasms, but he was back as the Bees' designated hitter Friday. The 26-year-old has shown excellent on-base skills in the minors this season, slashing .293/.401/.371 in 68 contests at the Triple-A level. However, he struggled in a 16-game stint in the majors in July, batting a paltry .167 with only one extra-base hit over 42 at-bats.