MLB Player News

Merrifield went 2-for-5 with a grand slam and a double in Wednesday's loss to Houston.

The second baseman's long ball with the bases loaded in the seventh inning gave the Royals a two-run lead, but the Astros rallied and eventually pulled out the win. Merrifield's homer was his first since June 30 -- a span of 47 games. However, he racked up 15 thefts over that span and ranks second in the majors with 37 stolen bases on the season.

Lowe went 1-for-5 with a solo home run Wednesday against the Phillies.

Lowe ripped his 30th homer of the season off Zack Wheeler in the fifth inning. He continues to swing an incredibly hot bat, as he now has eight home runs, 24 RBI and 20 runs scored since Aug. 1. In that same span, he's struck out at only a 21.9 percent clip, a significant reduction from his season-long rate of 28.5 percent. Overall, Lowe maintains a .235/.339/.502 line with 77 runs scored and 76 RBI across 492 plate appearances.

Hernandez went 3-for-6 with a solo home run, a double and two total runs scored in Wednesday's 9-6 extra-inning loss to Minnesota.

The utility man remains hot at the plate, going 17-for-47 (.362) with two home runs, eight RBI and 14 runs scored since Aug. 11. Hernandez's homer Wednesday was a little too late, as it was the last run Boston mustered while trying to come back from a five-run deficit in the 10th inning. Hernandez is slashing .258/.345/.467 with 17 homers, 51 RBI, 69 runs scored and a stolen base through 478 plate appearances.

Polanco went 1-for-4 with a two-run home run, a walk and an additional run scored in Wednesday's 9-6 extra-inning win over Boston.

The infielder is in a groove at the plate, homering in three straight contests. He's also gone 13-for-37 (.351) across his last eight games with five multi-hit efforts in that span. Polanco has enjoyed a career-best year in the power department with 24 homers and a .496 slugging percentage through 118 games. He's added 76 RBI, 76 runs scored and 10 stolen bases.

Mayfield is out of the lineup Wednesday against the Orioles, Jeff Fletcher of The Orange County Register reports.

Mayfield has a .421 OPS in his past 13 games and will head to the bench for the second straight contest. Phil Gosselin will start at the hot corner in his place Wednesday.

Wong was recalled from Triple-A Salt Lake on Wednesday.

Wong was on the big-league roster as the 27th man for Sunday's doubleheader, though he hasn't seen the field in the majors since mid-July. The 26-year-old will be a utility option during his time with the team.

Gimenez is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Rangers.

The lefty-hitting Gimenez will bow out of the lineup with southpaw Jake Latz on the hill for Texas. Rather than usual platoon mate Ernie Clement, Cleveland will go with the righty-hitting Owen Miller at second base in Gimenez's stead.

Biggio (elbow/back/neck) was diagnosed with a grade 1 sprain of his left UCL and will not hit for at least a week, Mike Wilner of the Toronto Star reports.

The injuries continue piling up for Biggio, who hasn't played for the Blue Jays since Aug. 2. He was rehabbing with Triple-A Buffalo when he hurt his elbow Sunday. The best-case scenario is an early September return for the 26-year-old, though he'll probably require more rehab work once healthy and thus miss additional time.

Mendick is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Blue Jays.

Mendick started at shortstop in each of Chicago's last four games, going 5-for-16 with two doubles and an RBI. With Tim Anderson (hamstrings) back in the starting nine for Wednesday's contest, Mendick's time as an everyday player now looks to be over.

Castro isn't in the lineup Wednesday against the Cardinals.

Castro went 1-for-4 with a run and two strikeouts Tuesday, and he'll retreat to the bench with left-hander Jon Lester taking the mound for St. Louis. Zack Short will start at shortstop and bat eighth.