MLB Player News

Biggio went 2-for-5 with a three-run home run, two runs and three strikeouts in Friday's win against the Rays.

After generating some production in summer camp, Biggio translated his results to regular-season action. He put the Blue Jays ahead with a three-run home run in the fifth inning that forced Rays starter Charlie Morton out of the game. The 25-year-old hit .234/.364/.429 with 16 home runs, 48 RBI and 14 stolen bases over 100 games in his rookie season with the Blue Jays last season.

Merrifield went 1-for-3 with a stolen base during Friday's 2-0 loss against the Indians.

Merrifield failed to make an impact at the top of the order, but the entire Royals lineup struggled in this season opener -- they went 4-for-30 and 0-for-2 with RISP. Merrifield is a good bet to produce sooner than later, though, as he racked up 206 hits while posting a .302 average and a .348 on-base percentage during the 2019 season.

Kemp isn't in the lineup for Friday's game against the Angels.

Kemp is expected to be in a platoon at second base this season, and he'll sit for the season opener against left-hander Andrew Heaney. Chad Pinder is starting at second base, batting sixth. With the Athletics expected to face righty Dylan Bundy on Saturday, Kemp should be in the starting nine.

Lowe isn't in the lineup for Friday's season opener against the Blue Jays, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

The 26-year-old will begin the season on the bench with southpaw Hyun-Jin Ryu on the bump for the Blue Jays, while Mike Brosseau receives the start at the keystone. Lowe likely will be in the lineup Saturday against right-hander Matt Shoemaker.

Arauz made the Red Sox's Opening Day roster, Ian Browne of MLB.com reports.

The Red Sox opted to keep Arauz, a Rule 5 selection in the offseason, instead of more established infielders and prospects the organization has cultivated. The Red Sox must maintain Arauz on the active roster (barring injury) for the entire season or offer him back to the Astros. It's easy enough to carry Arauz the first two weeks, when rosters are expanded to 30 players. The team will be challenged to keep him when rosters are trimmed to 28 on Aug. 6, then down to 26 on Aug. 20.

Rengifo (hamstring/undisclosed) is not on the Angels' 30-man roster.

Rengifo missed most of summer camp for undisclosed reasons and then tweaked his hamstring after reporting in mid-July. His timeline for returning to action remains unclear.

Jones is not included on the Angels' 30-man roster.

Jones has yet to play beyond the Double-A level, so his exclusion from the Opening Day roster is no surprise. The 22-year-old was expected to start the campaign with Triple-A Salt Lake before spring training was suspended, but he'll instead head to the team's alternate training site.

Mayfield has been named to Houston's 30-man roster, Julia Morales of AT&T SportsNet Southwest reports.

With Carlos Correa and Jose Altuve entrenched in the middle of Houston's infield, Mayfield will fill a reserve role in 2020. The 29-year-old struggled in his big-league debut last season, slashing .156/.169/.328 in 26 games.

Espinal will be included on the Blue Jays' Opening Day roster, Shi Davidi of Sportsnet.ca reports.

The 25-year-old was optioned to Triple-A Buffalo shortly after spring training was shutdown in March, but he'll end up breaking camp in the majors despite appearing in only 28 games at the Triple-A level. Espinal should operate as a utility infielder off the bench and is unlikely to see significant opportunities if the team remains fairly healthy.

Altuve (leg) is starting at second base and hitting second in Wednesday's intrasquad game, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.

Altuve is good to go after exiting Tuesday's exhibition game against the Royals with a left leg contusion. Assuming the second baseman feels OK during Wednesday's scrimmage, he should be in the lineup for Friday's season opener.