MLB Player News

Lopez is not starting Thursday against the Tigers, Lynn Worthy of The Kansas City Star reports.

Whit Merrifield is starting at the keystone in place of Lopez, with Brett Phillips covering center field. Through six appearances this season, Lopez has collected just one hit in 11 at-bats.

Espinal is out of the lineup for Thursday's game against the Nationals.

Espinal started the past two games at shortstop in place of Bo Bichette (hamstring), but the rookie will retreat to his usual bench role after the Blue Jays cleared Bichette to start in the series finale. Even if Bichette misses more extended time at some point in 2020, the defensive-minded Espinal is unlikely to emerge as an intriguing fantasy commodity.

Drury will start at third base and bat ninth Thursday against the Nationals.

Drury will stick in the lineup for the fourth time in five games since returning from the injured list over the weekend. All four of those starting assignments have come at the hot corner, so he'll most likely shift back to a bench role once Travis Shaw (personal) returns from the bereavement list.

Rengifo (hamstring) was reinstated from the injured list Tuesday.

Andrelton Simmons (ankle) was placed on the 10-day IL in a subsequent move, clearing room for Rengifo on the 30-man roster. David Fletcher figures to get most of the starts at shortstop in Simmons' stead, though Rengifo could see time at the middle-infield positions on occasion.

Andrus went 2-for-4 with two RBI and a walk during Wednesday's 7-4 win over Arizona.

The 31-year-old was dropped to seventh in the order for Tuesday's contest, but he returned to the leadoff spot Wednesday and came through as a run producer. Andrus is 4-for-17 with one run scored and two RBI through five games, and he's still looking for his first extra-base hit and stolen base.

Kemp will remain on the bench Wednesday against the Rockies.

Kemp doesn't appear to have the platoon role at second base that he was thought to have prior to the season. He's started against just two of the five righties the Athletics have faced thus far, with Chad Pinder starting against two and Vimael Machin, who starts Wednesday, getting the nod once.

Andrus batted seventh in the order and went 1-for-3 in Tuesday's 4-1 loss to the Diamondbacks.

Andrus is one of several Rangers mired in an early season slump, so manager Chris Woodward shook up the lineup. As such, Andrus was dropped from the top of the order to seventh. The shortstop is 2-for-13 with three walks over the first four games.

Polanco went 2-for-4 with a two-run home run in Tuesday's 6-3 win over the Cardinals.

His second-inning blast off Carlos Martinez capped a five-run eruption that effectively decided the game, and gave Polanco his first homer of the year. The 27-year-old shortstop is now 6-for-17 to begin the season with four RBI and five runs through four games, and after a breakout 2019 he could be ready to solidify his spot as one of the key hitters in the Twins' formidable attack.

Merrifield went 1-for-4 with a three-run home run Tuesday against the Tigers.

Merrifield took Rony Garcia deep in the third inning, supplying the entirety of the Royals' offense for the night. The shot was Merrifield's second of the season and second in as many games. Having also recorded a steal in the team's season opener, Merrifield has gotten off to a strong start in the sprint season.

Rengifo (hamstring) will be activated off the 10-day injured list Tuesday, Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic reports.

The 23-year-old is with the team and should be available off the bench for Tuesday's contest. Andrelton Simmons' (ankle) status remains up in the air, so there could be playing time available for Rengifo if Simmons misses some time.