MLB Player News

Merrifield went 3-for-5 with a double, triple and three RBI in a 7-1 triumph over Houston on Monday.

Merrifield provided his usual spark atop the order, singling in the fifth, doubling home an insurance run in the seventh and tripling in two more in the eighth to record hits in each of his final three at-bats. He's strung together a modest five-game hitting streak that features an 8-for-14 stretch over his last three games, though the two extra-base hits equaled his prior August total.

Torres (thumb) hopes to begin a rehab assignment next week, Erik Boland of Newsday reports.

Torres took dry swings and fielded grounders last week, and he'll report to Double-A Somerset to work out throughout this week. As long as the 24-year-old continues to trend in the right direction, the Yankees are optimistic that he'll return to game action with the minor-league club next week. Torres has been on the injured list since Aug. 9 and will likely remain away from the major-league club until early September.

Biggio (back/neck) will have his left elbow evaluated after he dove for a ball in Sunday's rehab game at Triple-A Buffalo, Scott Mitchell of TSN.ca reports.

Biggio has been dealing with back and neck injuries that have kept him on the 10-day injured list since Aug. 3. He had appeared in seven games during his rehab assignment and went 3-for-22 with a double, four runs and five walks during that time. An updated timetable for his return will likely be revealed based on the severity of his left elbow issue.

The Orioles recalled Jones from Triple-A Norfolk on Monday, Roch Kubatko of MASNSports.com reports.

Baltimore will shake things up in the infield after losing its 18th straight game Sunday, bringing in Jones and Kelvin Gutierrez from Norfolk while sending Richie Martin to Triple-A and designating Maikel Franco for assignment. Franco's removal from the 40-man roster should open up reps at third base for Ramon Urias and Gutierrez, while Jones will be in the mix for playing time at the keystone if the Orioles elect to shift the hot-hitting Jorge Mateo over to shortstop. Over 289 plate appearances with Norfolk on the season, Jones has slashed .238/.329/.417 with 10 home runs and nine stolen bases.

Lopez went 2-for-3 with a pair of walks, one RBI, a stolen base and two runs scored in Sunday's 9-1 win over the Cubs.

The shortstop has taken quite nicely to batting second in the order against right-handed pitching. Lopez has slashed .361/.425/.472 with a home run, four RBI and seven runs scored in his last 10 games. He's emerged as an effective contact hitter this year with a .282 average, and he's added speed when he gets aboard by going a perfect 18-for-18 on stolen base attempts.

The Red Sox optioned Arauz to Triple-A Worcester on Monday, Alex Speier of The Boston Globe reports.

Arauz will surrender his spot on the active roster with the Red Sox bringing another utility-infield type in Christian Arroyo (hamstring) back from the injured list. During his two-and-a-half-week stint with the big club, Arauz appeared in nine games and went 2-for-15 at the dish.

The Red Sox reinstated Arroyo (hamstring) from the 10-day injured list ahead of Monday's game against the Rangers, Alex Speier of The Boston Globe reports.

Arroyo will be available off the bench for the series finale after he recently wrapped up a three-game rehab assignment with Triple-A Worcester. Before he sustained a left hamstring strain July 18 and landed on the IL a day later, Arroyo appeared poised to step into a large-side platoon role at first base, but he'll likely serve as a utility infielder now that he's healthy again. While Arroyo was on the shelf, the Red Sox acquired Kyle Schwarber, who's expected to take over as the team's primary first baseman once the hamstring and groin injuries he battled earlier in the season are further in the rear-view mirror.

Rosario went 3-for-4 with a two-run home run in a 3-0 victory over the Angels on Sunday.

Rosario provided all the run support Cleveland would need with his first-inning homer off Los Angeles starter Jose Suarez and later singled in both the third and fourth frames. The shortstop is in the midst of a nine-game hitting streak that's seen Rosario bat 17-for-41 with seven extra-base hits, including an 8-for-12 stretch over the weekend against Los Angeles. The surge has improved his season line from .276/.318/.392 to .289/.330/.422.

Hernandez is slashing .353/.477/.471 with four doubles, 10 runs, five RBI and an 8:4 BB:K over his last 10 starts.

Though the Red Sox have gone .500 during that 10-game stretch to fall behind the surging Yankees in the American League East standings, Hernandez has done his part to spark Boston atop the lineup. During his recent offensive surge, Hernandez has raised his season OPS from .776 to .793, just 13 points behind his career-best mark in any season in which he's logged at least 400 plate appearances.

Clement is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Angels.

Clement is on the bench for the second time in three games and looks set to see his playing time decline after Cleveland recently called up Andres Gimenez from Triple-A Columbus. Expect the righty-hitting Clement to fill the short side of a platoon at second base with the lefty-hitting Gimenez.