MLB Player News

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.

Hernandez (hip) was transferred to the 60-day injured list Saturday, Bill Koch of The Providence Journal reports.

He last played June 7, so we know that he won't be back until early August at the earliest. Hernandez has been working out but hasn't resumed baseball activities. This move allowed Jaylin Davis to be added to the active roster.

Hernandez (hip) has been working out recently but hasn't yet resumed baseball activities, Jen McCaffrey of The Athletic reports.

Hernandez visited with a hip specialist in mid-July after being pulled from his rehab assignment, and he received a platelet-rich plasma injection. While it's encouraging that he's been cleared to work out, he's unlikely to have a better timetable to return to game action until he's able to resume baseball activities.

Lopez went 2-for-4 with a stolen base and a run scored in Friday's 7-3 loss to the Rays.

Lopez has hit .364 (8-for-22) during a six-game hitting streak, and he's picked up a pair of stolen bases in that span. The light-hitting infielder is up to a .244/.296/.290 slash line with seven steals, 13 RBI, 32 runs scored, 11 doubles and a triple through 87 contests. Even with more consistency at the plate, Lopez's lack of power makes it likely his contributions are limited to speed and a fairly empty average.

Espinal went 2-for-6 with a walk, four runs and an RBI in Friday's 28-5 win over the Red Sox.

Fresh off making his first appearance in the Midsummer Classic on Tuesday, Espinal demonstrated why he was named an All-Star in the first place with a big performance in the Blue Jays' first game of the second half. His four runs tied Teoscar Hernandez and Danny Jansen for the team lead on a night the Blue Jays scored 25 times in the first five innings alone.

Gimenez went 2-for-5 with a two-run home run in Friday's 8-2 win over the White Sox.

His blast off Lucas Giolito in the first inning gave Cleveland a 4-0 lead, and the Guardians never looked back. Gimenez continues to build on his career-best campaign, and the 23-year-old is slashing .298/.358/.488 through 80 games with 11 homers, seven steals, 34 runs and 45 RBI. He's recorded multiple hits in three of his last four games.

Altuve went 3-for-5 with a solo home run and an additional run scored in Friday's 5-2 win over the Mariners.

The second baseman knocked the third pitch of the game over the fence, a no-doubter to left-center field. Altuve added a pair of singles and another run after that for his first three-hit effort since July 3. He's hit safely in 14 of 17 games this month, batting .323 (20-for-62). For the season, Altuve has a .276/.366/.519 slash line with 18 homers, 34 RBI, 52 runs scored and eight stolen bases in 77 contests.

Stefanic isn't starting Friday's game against Atlanta.

Stefanic started the last three games but went 0-for-12 with a walk and three strikeouts. Luis Rengifo is shifting to second base while Andrew Velazquez starts at shortstop.