MLB Player News

Hernandez is not starting Friday against the Astros.

Hernandez will sit for the second game in a row as Andy Ibanez shifts to the hot corner for the series opener against Houston.

Gimenez will hit the bench Friday against the Red Sox.

Gimenez has been in the lineup just once against a lefty since returning to the majors in early August. He'll sit here against southpaw Eduardo Rodriguez, with Owen Miller starting at second base.

Altuve is not in the starting lineup Friday against the Rangers, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.

Altuve will get just his second game off since early July after going 1-for-14 during the past three contests. Aledmys Diaz will bat second while filling in for Altuve at the keystone.

Arauz was recalled from Triple-A Worcester on Friday, Pete Abraham of The Boston Globe reports.

The 23-year-old was optioned to Worcester at the start of the week but will rejoin the Red Sox on Friday with Enrique Hernandez (COVID-19) and Christian Arroyo (COVID-19 protocols) landing on the injured list. Manager Alex Cora said Hernandez and Arroyo will miss an "extended period," so Arauz and Yairo Munoz, who was also promoted Friday, should help cover second base in the meantime for Boston.

Andrus went 1-for-4 with a two-run single and a stolen base in a loss to the Yankees on Thursday.

The veteran shortstop's timely fourth-inning knock plated Josh Harrison and Mitch Moreland to bring the Athletics to within a run of the Yankees at the time. Andrus also recorded his 12th stolen base and has now hit safely in five of his last seven starts, but his .230/.277/.309 season slash line leaves plenty to be desired.

Arroyo was placed on the COVID-19 injured list Friday as a close contact of Enrique Hernandez, who tested positive for the virus, Pete Abraham of The Boston Globe reports.

Manager Alex Cora said both players will be sidelined for an "extended period," though Arroyo figures to have a shorter timeline if he continues to test negative. The Red Sox are now short on options at second base, so Jonathan Arauz and Yairo Munoz are being promoted from Triple-A to provide options at second base with Hernandez and Arroyo out.

Hernandez was placed on the COVID-19 injured list after testing positive for the virus Friday, Bill Koch of The Providence Journal reports.

A positive test typically means a player is forced to be out for 10 days, but per Pete Abraham of The Boston Globe, Hernandez could miss less time because he is vaccinated. Christian Arroyo was also placed on the COVID-19 list as a close contact, so the Red Sox will be without both of their main second base options for an extended period. Infielders Yairo Munoz and Jonathan Arauz were recalled from Triple-A Worcester and figure to man the position in the interim. Travis Shaw could also be a candidate to handle the keystone, though it's unclear if Boston will consider going that direction given he hasn't played there since 2019.

Espinal is out of the lineup Friday against the Tigers.

Espinal started the past four games and will take a seat after going 3-for-13 with a run and a stolen base. Kevin Smith will cover the hot corner in his absence Friday.

Miller went 2-for-5 with a solo home run during Thursday's win over the Rangers.

Miller swatted a 350-footer against Dennis Santana in the fifth inning. The long ball was the third of the year for the 24-year-old, who has struggled at the plate this season to the tune of a .175/.231/.275 batting line across 39 games, though he does have three multi-hit appearances since Aug. 15.

Torres (thumb) could start a rehab assignment Sunday, Brendan Kuty of The Newark Star-Ledger reports.

Torres has been working out at Double-A Somerset, though it's not necessarily clear that's where he'll begin the rehab stint. Regardless, this is a positive step as it appears Torres hasn't felt lingering pain or experienced a setback with his injury despite ramping up activity. A return in early September remains realistic.