MLB Player News

Torres (thumb) took dry swings and fielded grounders Friday, Max Goodman of SI.com reports.

The swelling in Torres' left thumb has mostly subsided, allowing him to began to build up toward a return. The infielder is already eligible to return from the injured list but will likely need several more days to get fully back up to speed. Per MLB.com, Torres could pick up a bat this weekend for the first time since suffering the injury.

Castro is out of the lineup Friday against the Blue Jays, Evan Petzold of the Detroit Free Press reports.

Castro made three consecutive starts at shortstop prior to hitting the bench Thursday, and he'll remain out of the lineup for a second straight contest while mired in a 2-for-24 slump. Zack Short will work at shortstop in Friday's series opener in Toronto.

Merrifield went 1-for-5 with a stolen base and a run scored in Thursday's 6-3 extra-inning loss to Houston.

Merrifield helped manufacture the opening run in the first inning: he singled, then moved to second on a Nicky Lopez sacrifice, stole third and scored on a Salvador Perez sacrifice fly. In August alone, Merrifield has recorded eight stolen bases in 17 games. He's up to 35 for the year to go with eight home runs, 57 RBI, 66 runs scored and a .273/.318/.385 slash line in 525 plate appearances.

Lopez went 1-for-3 with a two-run home run in Thursday's 6-3 extra-inning loss to Houston.

The light-hitting shortstop took Luis Garcia deep in the third inning for what would be Kansas City's last runs of the game. That was the first long ball of the season for Lopez and just the fourth of his career in 268 games. The 26-year-old has added some speed (15 stolen bases, five triples) this season while slashing .277/.347/.354 with 30 RBI and 49 runs scored through 375 plate appearances.

Lowe went 2-for-4 with a two-run home run, a double, a walk and another run scored during Thursday's win over the Orioles.

Lowe took Jorge Lopez deep with a 383-foot shot in the second inning. He also doubled in the first. The long ball was his seventh of the month and a career-high 29th of the year for the 27-year-old, who is batting .236/.344/.505 overall with 21 doubles.

Semien went 2-for-5 with two solo home runs in Wednesday's 8-5 loss to the Nationals.

He took Josiah Gray deep in the third inning before touching up Ryne Harper in the seventh. Semien has gone yard three times in the last three games to give him 29 homers on the year, but he's otherwise cooled down in August, slashing .243/.308/.557 through 18 games.

Lowe went 1-for-3 with two walks, two runs, an RBI and a stolen base Wednesday in the Rays' 8-4 win over the Orioles.

Lowe has enjoyed a big first three games of the series with Baltimore, reaching base at a .571 clip while scoring five times and driving in five more. He'll remain in the lineup for Thursday's series finale, starting at second base and batting leadoff.

Mayfield isn't in the lineup Thursday against the Tigers, Rhett Bollinger of MLB.com reports.

Mayfield started each of the last two games and went 1-for-6 with a run, an RBI and two walks. Phil Gosselin will take over at the hot corner and bat third.

Castro is out of the lineup for Thursday's game against the Angels.

Willi Castro will step in at shortstop for Harold Castro, who started each of the past three games at the position while going 2-for-10 at the plate. Until the Tigers return outfielders Derek Hill (rib) and Akil Baddoo (concussion) from the 10-day injured list -- which will likely result in Willi Castro moving back to the infield -- Harold Castro should have a path to a near-everyday role.

Arroyo (hamstring) could be activated off the 10-day injured list at some point this weekend, Chris Cotillo of MassLive.com reports.

Arroyo kicked off a rehab assignment at Triple-A Worcester on Tuesday, going 0-for-2 while starting at second base. He was given the day off Wednesday and is scheduled to play second base again Thursday. Barring any setbacks, he could rejoin the club for the weekend series against the Rangers. Red Sox manager Alex Cora mentioned Arroyo working out at first base, but he's not expected to play first base in game action just yet.