MLB Player News

Marte went 1-for-4 with a solo home run and a walk in Friday's 9-5 win over the Twins.

Marte's hitting streak is up to eight games, a span in which he's gone 11-for-33 (.333). The homer was his first since June 4 versus the Dodgers. The second baseman is batting .258 with a .761 OPS, 12 homers, 44 RBI, 41 runs scored, 15 doubles and two triples across 71 games this season. He has yet to attempt a stolen base.

Altuve went 2-for-4 with a home run, a double and four RBI in Friday's 9-3 win over the Guardians.

Altuve launched what proved to be the game-winning three-run homer in the sixth inning before adding an RBI double in the seventh. The 36-year-old has gone deep in three of his past five games, tallying seven RBI during that stretch. For the year, he's slashing .234/.310/.405 with eight long balls, 20 RBI, 33 runs scored and one steal across 230 plate appearances.

Kiner-Falefa was scratched from the lineup for Friday's game against the Mariners due to left forearm inflammation, Tim Healey of The Boston Globe reports.

Kiner-Falefa has recorded a base hit in each of his last six games, but he'll have to wait a bit longer for his next chance to extend his streak while he sits out with a forearm issue. Marcelo Mayer -- originally set to sit out due to an illness -- will join the lineup and start at shortstop with Kiner-Falefa on the sidelines.

Mayer (illness) will start at shortstop and bat seventh Friday against the Mariners, Gabrielle Starr of the Boston Herald reports.

Mayer was originally left out of the starting nine because of an illness, but he now appears to be feeling better and will get the nod at shortstop, replacing Isiah Kiner-Falefa (forearm). Mayer's struggles at the plate have continued into June, as he's slashing .172/.265/.310 across 34 plate appearances since the beginning of the month.

Mayer isn't in the lineup for Friday's game against the Mariners due to an illness, Chris Cotillo of MassLive.com reports.

After sitting out Thursday's finale against Toronto, Mayer will miss a second consecutive start Friday while he recovers from his illness. Andruw Monasterio will take over as Boston's second baseman and bat ninth.

Edwards is not in the lineup for Friday's game against the Giants due to thumb soreness, Kevin Barral of FishonFirst.com reports.

Manager Clayton McCullough revealed that Edwards has been dealing with thumb soreness, which is the reason why is he was out of the lineup Wednesday and is on the bench Friday as well. The Marlins wanted to be cautious and give their second baseman another day off after the off day Thursday. Miami believes he will be ready to go for Saturday's game against San Francisco.

The Rangers optioned Smith to Triple-A Round Rock on Friday.

Smith was just activated from the 10-day injured list earlier this week after being out since early May with glute and wrist injuries as well as viral meningitis. He still leads Texas with 28 starts at second base this season even with all the missed time, but Smith has managed just a .218/.316/.248 slash line covering 117 plate appearances. He should be back with the big club later this season, but for now he'll try to get his swing in order at Round Rock.

Edwards is not in the lineup for Friday's contest versus the Giants.

It's just the second day off this season for Edwards, who is slashing only .192/.286/.192 so far in June. Javier Sanoja is getting a start at second base for the Marlins while Edwards clears his head.

Chisholm (groin) is starting at second base and batting fifth Friday against the Reds.

Chisholm exited Thursday's contest versus the White Sox after a fouling a pitch off himself but is back in action for Friday's series opener versus Cincinnati. The 28-year-old is batting just .178 (8-for-45) through 14 games in June, though he also has a triple, four homers, six steals, 10 RBI and 12 runs scored.

Torres (oblique) received a cortisone injection Friday and is expected to start up his rehab program in the next day or two, Chris McCosky of The Detroit News reports.

The veteran second baseman was placed on the 10-day injured list Wednesday due to an oblique strain, and he won't waste much time before getting treatment. Torres was sidelined more than a month with the same injury earlier this season, though it's unclear how long he's expected to be out this time around.