MLB Player News

Semien went 3-for-4 with two doubles, a run scored, an RBI and a stolen base in a 6-3 loss to the Angels during the first game of Tuesday's doubleheader.

The veteran infielder didn't see much to hit in the nightcap, going 0-for-2 with two walks, but it was still a productive day overall for Semien. He's slashing .300/.341/.600 through the first 11 games in August with six doubles, two homers, two steals, five RBI and seven runs as he continues to be a vital cog in the Jays' offensive engine.

Hernandez went 2-for-5 with an RBI and two stolen bases in Tuesday's 5-4 triumph over the Mariners.

Batting second, Hernandez singled and stole second in the first and brought home an insurance run before stealing second again in the 10th. The thefts were Hernandez's first since being recalled. There may be many more considering the 23-year-old swiped 21 in 61 games at Triple-A.

Merrifield went 2-for-5 with a double, two runs and a stolen base in an 8-4 victory over the Yankees on Tuesday.

Merrifield opened the Royals' half of the first inning with a single and came around to score on a Salvador Perez homer. He used his legs to produce another run in the fifth, notching a two-out double before stealing third base and coming around to score on a throwing error. Merrifield leads the majors with 32 thefts on the season and has been caught trying to steal only once.

Arroyo (hamstring) participated in a full workout Tuesday and is hoping to begin a rehab assignment next week, Alex Speier of The Boston Globe reports.

Arroyo resumed baseball activities last week, and he has now ramped up the intensity of his workouts. If all continues to go well, the infielder could begin a rehab stint next week, which would leave him on track to be activated at some point in late August.

Polanco will sit Tuesday against the White Sox, Betsy Helfand of the St. Paul Pioneer Press reports.

Polanco has swung a hot bat thus far in this second half, slashing .330/.378/.648 with eight homers in 23 games. He'll get a rest Tuesday, with Luis Arraez starting at second base.

Espinal is not starting Game 1 of Tuesday's doubleheader against the Angels.

Espinal has just two hits in his last 18 at-bats dating back to July 31. He'll sit in favor of Breyvic Valera for the third time in five games during Tuesday's matinee, but he figures to have a chance to start the nightcap.

Lopez went 2-for-5 with an RBI, a stolen base and a run scored in Monday's 8-6 extra-innings loss to the Yankees.

The shortstop extended his hitting streak to five games, and he also stole a base for the second straight game. Lopez is now a perfect 10-for-10 in steals this year while adding 26 RBI, 44 runs scored and five triples through 100 games. The light-hitting 26-year-old has yet to swat a home run, but he's shown excellent plate discipline with a 9.7 percent walk rate compared to a 13.6 percent strikeout rate.

Merrifield went 0-for-5 with a walk, a stolen base and a run scored in Monday's 8-6 extra-innings loss to the Yankees.

Merrifield manufactured a run in the ninth inning as he walked, stole second and scored on a Nicky Lopez single to tie the game at 3-3. Through eight games in August, Merrifield has gone just 6-for-33 (.182), but he's added four stolen bases. The second baseman is now 31-for-32 in steals while adding a .266/.313/.384 slash line, eight home runs, 54 RBI and 60 runs scored in 111 contests.

Rosario went 4-for-5 with a triple, a double, one RBI and two runs scored in Monday's 9-3 win over Cincinnati.

The shortstop came up a home run shy of the cycle in a monster performance. He's been on a tear since the All-Star break, hitting .337 with an .855 OPS in his last 22 games. Rosario has provided speed and a decent OBP from his regular No. 2 spot in the order this year. The 25-year-old is slashing .277/.320/.396 with six home runs, 33 RBI, 53 runs scored and 12 stolen bases in 415 plate appearances. He's added five triples and 18 doubles.

Torres' sprained left thumb is expected to sideline him for 10 to 20 days, Brendan Kuty of The Newark Star-Ledger reports.

Torres suffered the injury while sliding into second base Sunday. It came at an unfortunate time for the young shortstop, as he was just starting to heat up at the plate, recording four multi-hit performances over his last six games. He'll now likely be out until sometime in late August, though the Yankees should be able to provide a clearer timeline after he visits with specialists in the next few days.