MLB Player News

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.

Lopez went 3-for-4 with a pair of stolen bases and a run scored in Wednesday's 3-2 win over Houston.

In his last 10 games, Lopez has stolen seven bases without getting caught. He's hitting 10-for-37 (.270) in that span, but that hasn't reduced his effectiveness on the basepaths. The shortstop owns a .277/.347/.345 slash line with no home runs, 28 RBI, 48 runs scored and 15 steals in 371 plate appearances. Adalberto Mondesi (oblique) has suffered another shutdown in an injury-plagued campaign, which should keep Lopez locked in as Kansas City's starting shortstop for the foreseeable future.

Miller went 1-for-5 with a double, an RBI, a stolen base and a run scored in Wednesday's 8-7 extra-innings loss to Minnesota.

Miller recorded his first major-league steal in the second inning. The utility man has a mediocre .152/.211/.238 slash line with two home runs, eight RBI, 12 runs scored and three doubles through 114 plate appearances. He's seen the bulk of the playing time at first base while Bobby Bradley (knee) has been on the shelf, but Miller has yet to produce much with the bat.

Espinal isn't in the lineup Wednesday against the Nationals.

Espinal will get a breather after he went 4-for-8 with a run, an RBI and a stolen base across the last two games. Breyvic Valera will start at the hot corner and bat sixth.

Ibanez went 2-for-3 with a solo home run in Tuesday's 3-1 loss to the Mariners.

Ibanez homered off Tyler Anderson to lead off the third inning. That was the only run scored by the Rangers in the game. He has three long balls in August, but he is batting .188 in that stretch. The 28-year-old is slashing .211/.256/.348 with five home runs, 14 RBI and 16 runs scored in 172 plate appearances.

Gimenez isn't starting Wednesday against Minnesota.

Gimenez went 3-for-11 with two runs, a stolen base, four walks and a strikeout across the last four games. Ernie Clement will start at second base and bat ninth.

Polanco went 2-for-4 with an RBI and a stolen base in Tuesday's 3-1 loss to Cleveland.

After his second two-hit game in as many days, Polanco's season average now sits at .270. The stolen base was also his 10th of the season, allowing him to reach double figures in the category for only the second time in his career. He'll start at second base and bat third in Wednesday's series finale.

Miller is not starting Tuesday against Minnesota.

Miller has taken over as Cleveland's primary first baseman in recent weeks, but he'll get a rest Tuesday. Yu Chang will start at first base and bat sixth.

Polanco will start at second base and bat third Tuesday against Cleveland.

Nelson Cruz had typically served as Minnesota's No. 3 hitter before he was dealt to the Rays prior to the trade deadline, but since then, Polanco has seemingly seized hold of the lineup spot that most managers reserve for their team's top hitter. After going 2-for-6 with a walkoff RBI double in Monday's 5-4 series-opening win, Polanco now owns an .814 OPS on the season, and he's supplemented his good work at the plate with nine stolen bases. The 28-year-old has proven to be an outstanding value selection for fantasy managers that nabbed him in the later rounds of drafts.