MLB Player News

Polanco went 1-for-4 with a walk, a stolen base and two runs scored in Friday's 7-5 extra-inning win over Texas.

Polanco drew a walk, stole second and scored the third run of Minnesota's three-run rally in the 10th inning. The 27-year-old has recorded steals in each of the last two games after previously not attempting a stolen base since May 16. He's now slashing .254/.319/.441 with nine home runs, 30 RBI, 39 runs scored and five steals across 263 plate appearances.

Kemp went 1-for-4 with a three-run home run in Friday's 5-3 win over the Yankees.

Per Matt Kawahara of the San Francisco Chronicle, Kemp had homered just once against a left-hander across his first five seasons in the league, but he's now blasted two homers against southpaws since the start of June. The 29-year-old has reached base in each of his last eight games, and he's gone 7-for-26 with a home run, a double, 10 runs, three RBI and seven walks during that time.

Hernandez is out of the lineup Friday against the Royals, Pete Abraham of The Boston Globe reports.

Hernandez is 2-for-21 across his past five games and won't start Friday's contest. Danny Santana will start in center field and bat ninth in the series opener.

Torres (back) is starting at shortstop and batting third Friday against the A's.

Torres was removed from Thursday's game with back stiffness, but he's back in the lineup Friday as the injury isn't a serious concern. The 24-year-old is mired in a 1-for-18 slump over his past five games.

Altuve went 2-for-3 with a home run, two RBI and two runs scored in Thursday's 10-2 win over the White Sox.

Altuve busted out the power stick once again, smacking his 16th homer of the year in the sixth inning as a response to the White Sox scoring two in the top half of the inning. The second baseman has homered in three straight contests and belted eight over the last 10 games.

Torres was removed from Thursday's game with back stiffness, but the injury is not considered serious, Marly Rivera of ESPN.com reports.

Manager Aaron Boone said that Torres "tweaked his back a little bit," but he also added that the injury doesn't appear serious. It's unclear if Torres will be able to return Friday as the team opens a weekend series against Oakland, though it doesn't appear that he will be in line for a lengthy absence.

Torres was removed from Thursday's game against the Blue Jays with lower back stiffness, Marly Rivera of ESPN.com reports.

Torres exited in the middle of Thursday's game, with Rougned Odor taking over at second base and Tyler Wade at shortstop. It's unclear how the injury occured, though Torres is set to undergo further evaluation Friday.

Wong will start at third base and hit sixth Thursday against the Tigers.

Wong will find himself in the lineup for the second time in the last three games with Anthony Rendon (triceps) sitting out. Phil Gosselin had also started at the hot corner, but he will find himself on the bench Thursday.

Rengifo will start at second base and hit eighth Thursday against the Tigers.

Rengifo was recalled to the majors on Thursday and will immediately enter the starting lineup in the absence of Anthony Rendon (triceps). David Fletcher will shift to shortstop and Jose Iglesias will be on the bench.

Rengifo was recalled by the Angels on Thursday, Jack Harris of the Los Angeles Times reports.

The 24-year-old was recalled to serve as depth along the infield as the team remains without Anthony Rendon (triceps). Rengifo has hit well with Triple-A Salt Lake this season, maintaining a .331/.402/.569 line across 132 plate appearances -- good for a 138 wRC+.