MLB Player News
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Nicky Lopez 3B | CHC
Royals' Nicky Lopez: Sitting against lefty
Lopez is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Tigers, Alec Lewis of The Athletic reports.
Hanser Alberto will pick up the start at shortstop for the lefty-hitting Lopez, who takes a seat with southpaw Tarik Skubal on the hill for Detroit. Lopez had started in each of Kansas City's first 17 games of July, slashing .339/.413/.429 with zero home runs, one stolen base, nine runs and 10 RBI.
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Harold Castro 2B | KC
Tigers' Harold Castro: Sits again Sunday
Castro is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Royals, Evan Petzold of the Detroit Free Press reports.
After starting four consecutive games heading into the weekend, Castro has now been on the bench for two of the Tigers' three games in Kansas City this weekend. Willi Castro looks set to serve as the Tigers' regular second baseman while Niko Goodrum (calf) and Isaac Paredes (hip) are on the shelf, resulting in Harold Castro serving as more of a utility man.
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Zack Short 3B | DET
Tigers' Zack Short: Returns to lineup Sunday
Short is starting at shortstop and batting eighth in Sunday's game against the Royals.
Short returns to the lineup after a one-game absence. Willi Castro was recently recalled from Triple-A Toledo, but the team has been using him mostly at second base, so Short should remain the team's primary shortstop, at least until Niko Goodrum (calf) returns from the injured list. Harold Castro, who started Saturday, will continue serving in a utility role.
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Nicky Lopez 3B | CHC
Royals' Nicky Lopez: On base four times Saturday
Lopez went 3-for-3 with a double, a walk, an RBI and two runs scored in Saturday's 9-8 win over Detroit.
Lopez made an impact from the No. 9 spot in the order in Saturday's comeback win. The contact-hitting infielder has gone 10-for-24 (.417) with three doubles, seven RBI and six runs scored in his last seven games, including four multi-hit efforts. The 26-year-old isn't in the lineup Sunday for a well-earned day of rest, but he should be available as a pinch hitter if necessary.
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Jorge Polanco 1B | NYM
Twins' Jorge Polanco: On bench with back issue
Polanco is out of the lineup Sunday against the Angels to rest his lower back, Do-Hyoung Park of MLB.com reports.
Polanco has recently been playing through the back issue, so he'll receive the day off for the series finale to help manage the injury. The 28-year-old's performance hasn't seemed to be affected by the injury, as he has a 1.006 OPS in nine games since the All-Star break. Nick Gordon will work at the keystone in his place Sunday.
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Gleyber Torres 2B | DET
Yankees' Gleyber Torres: Swipes two bags Saturday
Torres went 1-for-4 with an RBI and two stolen bases in Saturday's 4-3 victory versus Boston.
In addition to notching two steals, Torres plated the game-winning run with his single to right field in the eighth inning. The shortstop is up to nine thefts on the season, which leads the team and is already his single-season career high. Torres has collected exactly one hit in each of his past seven games, batting .318 and racking up three homers and three steals over that span.
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Brandon Lowe 2B | PIT
Rays' Brandon Lowe: Out of Sunday's lineup
Lowe is not in the lineup Sunday at Cleveland, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.
Lowe is hitting well since the All-Star break with an .887 OPS in nine games, but he'll receive the day off Sunday. Joey Wendle will shift to the keystone while Yandy Diaz starts at third base.
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Cavan Biggio RF | HOU
Blue Jays' Cavan Biggio: Not starting Sunday
Biggio is out of the lineup Sunday against the Mets.
Biggio is 4-for-18 with a solo homer and an additional run scored in six games since the All-Star break, and he'll take a seat Sunday in New York. Santiago Espinal will start at the hot corner in his place.
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Andy Ibanez 2B | NYM
Rangers' Andy Ibanez: Not everyday at 2B yet
Texas manager Chris Woodward is holding off on calling Ibanez the team's regular second baseman, Evan Grant of the Dallas Morning News reports.
After the Rangers demoted Nick Solak to Triple-A Round Rock on Friday, Ibanez made his second consecutive start at second base Saturday, the first time he's made consecutive starts at the position during his brief MLB career. Woodward indicated Ibanez will get a lot of playing time, but he's not ready to anoint him as the primary second baseman, which is considered the utility player's best position.
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Marcus Semien 2B | NYM
Blue Jays' Marcus Semien: Blasts homer in win
Semien went 2-for-5 with a three-run homer and an additional run scored in Saturday's 10-3 win over the Mets.
Semien homered off Taijuan Walker in the fifth inning, knocking in George Springer and Vladimir Guerrero. He has struggled of late, batting just .151 over his last 14 games. However, he is slashing .273/.340/.525 overall, marking his best batting average and slugging percentage of his career. In addition, the 30-year-old already has 24 long balls and 10 steals, on track for a career high in both categories.