MLB Player News

Hernandez started at third base and went 1-for-4 with a stolen base in Saturday's 5-2 loss to the Astros.

Hernandez swiped his fourth bag in 17 games since his contract was selected by the Rangers earlier this month. He's had double-digit steals in the minors the last three seasons and could be in line for consistent playing time, after Andy Ibanez was removed from Saturday's game with a hamstring injury. Ibanez had been moving around the infield, including third base. With Brock Holt and Charlie Culberson unavailable due to COVID-19 protocols, Hernandez may be a regular at the hot corner in the short term.

Texas manager Chris Woodward said Ibanez (hamstring) will undergo testing Sunday.

Ibanez was removed from Saturday's game after legging out an infield single in the bottom of the sixth inning. The utility infielder started at first base and was replaced by Nathaniel Lowe. Woodward added that he was "not overly optimistic" about the outcome. It would a blow if he were to miss significant time. Ibanez has adapted well to MLB pitching and entered Saturday's contest on an 11-game hitting streak while slashing .488/.511/.767 during that run.

Arroyo has tested positive for COVID-19, after he was previously placed on the injured list Friday after being identified as a close contact of the infected Enrique Hernandez and strength coach Kiyoshi Momose, Jen McCaffrey of The Athletic reports.

Boston is currently conducting tracing to identify if anyone else in the organization was a close contact of Arroyo, Hernandez or Momose, but for now, no other players are being placed on the COVID-19-related IL. Since he's been confirmed to have tested positive for the virus, Arroyo will be sidelined for at least 10 days. The absences of Hernandez and Arroyo should pave the way for Jonathan Arauz and Yairo Munoz to pick up most of the work at second base in the short term.

Mayfield went 2-for-4 with a two-run home run and an additional run as the Angels defeated the Padres, 10-2, on Saturday.

Mayfield went yard in the third inning to give the Angels an early 3-0 lead and singled and scored in the sixth. The outing represented the 30-year-old's first home run and multi-hit game since Aug. 6, and the infielder is now slashing .211/.259/.408 on the season.

Lopez went 3-for-4 with a run scored in Saturday's 4-2 win over Seattle.

The shortstop has rattled off three-hit efforts in each of the last two games, and four times in his last 11 contests. Lopez lifted his batting average to .287 with a home run, 34 RBI, 54 runs scored and 18 stolen bases through 419 plate appearances. Saturday was his sixth three-hit game of the year.

Merrifield went 2-for-5 with a solo home run in Saturday's 4-2 win over Seattle.

After being stuck on eight homers for nearly two months, Merrifield has gone yard twice in his last four games to reach the double-digit mark. He's been on a surge at the plate this month, batting .315 with two long balls, 14 RBI, 20 runs scored and six doubles through his last 26 contests. Merrifield also ranks second in the majors with 38 stolen bases, providing great speed and strong on-base skills atop Kansas City's lineup.

Ibanez was removed from Saturday's game against the Astros with left hamstring tightness.

Ibanez went 0-for-2 with a walk before exiting the contest at the start of the seventh inning. The 28-year-old should be considered day-to-day as he continues to be evaluated.

Espinal exited Saturday's game against the Tigers with a strained right hip flexor, Chris McCosky of The Detroit News reports.

The severity of the injury is not yet clear. Espinal had stepped into a starting role at third base in the absence of Cavan Biggio, who's dealing with elbow, back and neck issues. Breyvic Valera replaced him in Saturday's contest and could spend time as a regular starter should Espinal miss an extended period as well, though Kevin Smith could also compete for opportunities.

Jones isn't in the lineup for Saturday's game against the Rays, Nathan Ruiz of The Baltimore Sun reports.

Jones had started each of the last four games, and he went 2-for-17 with a double, two runs and seven strikeouts. Jorge Mateo (back/hip) will return to the lineup at the keystone, while Ramon Urias will start at shortstop.

Torres (thumb) will begin a rehab assignment at Double-A Somerset on Saturday, Bryan Hoch of MLB.com reports.

Torres began working out at Double-A Somerset during the week, and he'll remain with the minor-league club to begin his rehab assignment. The 24-year-old has been on the injured list since Aug. 9 and seems to be on track to rejoin the major-league club sometime in early September.