MLB Player News

Biggio is not starting Saturday's game against the Royals.

He's hitting just .186 against left-handed pitching this season, so he takes a seat with southpaw Mike Minor on the hill for Kansas City. In 11 games since the All-Star break, Biggio has gone 6-for-32 with two RBI. Santiago Espinal will start at third base and bat eighth Saturday.

Altuve went 3-for-5 with two home runs, five RBI and an additional run scored in Friday's 9-6 win over San Francisco.

Altuve had a solo shot in the fifth inning to give Houston a 3-2 lead, then hit a grand slam in the sixth that broke open the game. The second baseman, who is 8-for-16 over the last three contests, is up to 25 home runs over 91 games. That threatens his career-best 31 hit in 2019.

Merrifield went 1-for-4 with two stolen bases in Friday's 6-4 loss to the Blue Jays.

Both steals came in the eighth inning off Brad Hand, as the Royals' leadoff hitter tried to spur a rally. Merrifield extended his hitting streak to 10 games with the performance and pushed his league-leading stolen base total to 27.

Arauz was recalled from Triple-A Worcester and is starting Friday's game against the Rays, Chris Cotillo of The Springfield Republican reports.

Arauz missed time with a left elbow injury in early July, but he returned to action July 13 and has hit .302 with two homers, eight runs, seven RBI and a stolen base in 13 games since then. He'll start at the hot corner and bat ninth with Rafael Devers (quadriceps) out of the lineup.

Haggerty (shoulder) continues to rehab at the Mariners' spring training facility in Arizona, the team's official site reports.

The utility asset still hasn't resumed any baseball activities, so it now appears highly unlikely he'll be activated any time before the final days of August. Haggerty last saw game action May 23, meaning he'll presumably need a fairly extensive rehab assignment before rejoining the Mariners.

Biggio will sit against lefty Daniel Lynch and the Royals on Friday.

Biggio has seen his role decrease against southpaws recently, as he's now been on the bench against three of the last four left-handers the Blue Jays have faced. Santiago Espinal will be the third baseman in his absence.

Short isn't starting Friday's game against the Orioles, Jason Beck of MLB.com reports.

Short will get a breather after going 1-for-11 with a double, two RBI, a run and four strikeouts across the last three games. Harold Castro will start at shortstop and bat seventh.

Mendick was optioned to Triple-A Charlotte on Friday.

The 27-year-old started the past two games, but he'll head to the minors to make room on the big-league roster for Cesar Hernandez, who was acquired from Cleveland on Thursday. Mendick could return to the majors later in the year if Chicago requires another utility option.

Miller was recalled from Triple-A Columbus on Friday, Zack Meisel of The Athletic reports.

Cesar Hernandez was shipped to the White Sox on Thursday, and Miller will take his place on Cleveland's roster for now. The 24-year-old received his first taste of the big leagues earlier this season and went 5-for-47 with 24 strikeouts in 28 games, but he could be in the mix for regular playing time at the keystone with Hernandez out of the picture. However Andres Gimenez, who isn't able to accompany the team for a four-game set in Toronto to begin next week while establishing his permanent residency in the U.S., could take Miller's roster spot when the team returns to Cleveland on Aug. 6.

Espinal went 2-for-4 with a walk, two runs scored and an RBI in Thursday's rout of the Red Sox.

Getting the nod at third base and hitting eighth, Espinal made a contribution in a 13-1 win that saw every Jays starter collect at least one hit and drive in at least one run. With Lourdes Gurriel (elbow) sidelined and Cavan Biggio seeing more action in the outfield as a result, Espinal and his .320/.370/.422 slash line in 138 plate appearances this season could see an uptick in playing time in the short term.