MLB Player News

Mendick went 2-for-4 with an RBI and a run scored in Friday's 5-4 extra-inning win over Detroit.

Mendick made his second straight start at second base with Nick Madrigal (hamstring) sidelined and on the 60-day injured list. Mendick and Leury Garcia will be the main fill-ins for Madrigal, although Garcia was deployed in right field Friday in place of Adam Eaton for a second consecutive game. Manager Tony La Russa has taken to sitting Eaton against left-handers. Mendick can also play right field, appearing seven times there this season, the first outfield starts of his career.

Altuve went 1-for-4 with a solo home run, a walk and an additional run in Friday's 6-4 victory over Minnesota.

The second baseman drilled a solo shot to left field in the fifth inning, giving him three straight games with a long ball. Altuve has homered five times overall through 10 games this month -- in fact, half of his 10 hits in June have left the park. After going deep only five times in 210 plate appearances during the shortened 2020 campaign, Altuve has swatted 12 homers through 247 plate appearances this season.

Lowe went 2-for-3 with a two-run homer, a walk and a steal in Friday's 4-2 win over Baltimore.

Lowe put the Rays on top in the fourth inning with his two-run blast off Keegan Akin. He's up to 11 home runs this season but has just two over the last 17 games. The 26-year-old is slashing .194/.305/.379 with four stolen bases and 27 RBI.

Polanco is not in the starting lineup Friday against the Astros, Betsy Helfand of the St. Paul Pioneer Press reports.

Polanco will get his first rest of June during Friday's series opener. Nick Gordon will start at second base and bat seventh.

Lopez is not in the starting lineup Friday against the Athletics.

Lopez has filled in at shortstop since Adalberto Mondesi suffered a hamstring injury May 31, but he'll get a breather Friday. Hanser Alberto will start at shortstop and bat ninth.

Biggio (neck) is starting at third base in his return from the injured list Friday against the Red Sox.

Biggio was activated from the injured list earlier Friday. As expected he'll start at third base during his return at Fenway Park on Friday.

Manager Charlie Montoyo announced Friday that Biggio (neck) has been activated from the injured list ahead of the series opener against the Red Sox, Mike Wilner of the Toronto Star reports.

Biggio was placed on the 10-day IL on May 22 with a cervical spine ligament sprain. The infielder was able to begin a rehab assignment last Sunday and is now set to join the Jays for the series opener at Fenway Park on Friday. Biggio seems likely to start at third base in his return, though Montoyo has yet to release his lineup for the contest.

Espinal was optioned to Triple-A Buffalo on Friday, Mike Wilner of the Toronto Star reports.

The 26-year-old is 6-for-15 in his past 10 games but will head to the minors Friday with Cavan Biggio (neck) returning from the injured list. Espinal could rejoin the Blue Jays later in the year when the team requires infield depth.

Arraez (shoulder) will begin a rehab assignment at Triple-A St. Paul on Friday, Dan Hayes of The Athletic reports.

Arraez has been on the IL since May 26 with a right shoulder strain. The utility man was able to resume baseball activities earlier this week and now he'll return to game action with St. Paul on Friday. It's not entirely clear how many games Minnesota plans on Arraez playing at Triple-A, but a return to the Twins at some point next week seems to be realistic.

Castro (hand) is starting at third base and batting second Friday versus the White Sox.

The 27-year-old was a late scratch from Wednesday's lineup with a right hand injury, but it's apparently a minor issue given his quick return to the starting nine. Castro has a .306 average through 106 plate appearances, though his lack of pop (one extra-base hit) limits his offensive value.