MLB Player News

Espinal went 2-for-3 with a two-run double in Friday's 4-0 win over Pittsburgh.

Espinal knocked in Cavan Biggio and Matt Chapman on a double in the fourth inning. They were the only runs of the game until Bo Bichette launched a two-run shot in the ninth. For Espinal, they were his first RBI since Aug. 18. He has had a rough stretch since then, going 3-for-21 until his two-hit outing Friday. The second baseman is slashing .268/.321/.378 on the season.

Stefanic (back) went 1-for-3 with a double, two walks, a run and an RBI for Triple-A Salt Lake on Friday.

Stefanic missed a few games earlier this week due to back spasms, but he was back as the Bees' designated hitter Friday. The 26-year-old has shown excellent on-base skills in the minors this season, slashing .293/.401/.371 in 68 contests at the Triple-A level. However, he struggled in a 16-game stint in the majors in July, batting a paltry .167 with only one extra-base hit over 42 at-bats.

Altuve went 1-for-4 with a stolen base, a walk and two runs scored in Friday's 4-2 win over the Angels.

This was the third straight game in which Altuve has scored two runs as he continues to be effective atop the Astros' order. The steal was his first in over two weeks since he swiped a pair of bags versus the White Sox on Aug. 17. The second baseman is up to 13 steals in 14 attempts while adding 22 home runs, 48 RBI, 78 runs scored and a .286/.374/.512 slash line through 114 contests.

Lux was scratched from Friday's lineup against the Padres due to a back injury, Rowan Kavner of Fox Sports reports.

Lux dealt with a neck injury in late August, but his back is bothering him Friday, which resulted in his removal from the lineup. Hanser Alberto is taking his place at shortstop, and Lux should tentatively be considered day-to-day.

Lux was scratched from Friday's lineup against the Padres for an undisclosed reason, Juan Toribio of MLB.com reports.

Lux was removed from the lineup several hours before the start of Friday's game, and it's not yet clear whether the scratch was due to an injury. Hanser Alberto will take over at shortstop and bat ninth. Whether Lux is available off the bench remains to be seen.

Haggerty is out of the lineup for Friday's game against the Guardians, Ryan Divish of The Seattle Times reports.

Haggerty missed a few contests with a finger injury before rejoining the lineup Wednesday, and he'll take a seat Friday after going 2-for-7 with a double, a walk and a run over the past two games. Mitch Haniger will move to right field while Carlos Santana serves as the designated hitter.

Polanco (kneecap) is not in the lineup Friday against the White Sox.

Friday will mark Polanco's fifth consecutive absence due to left patellar tendinitis. It's possible he will have to spend some time on the injured list if he can't return soon.

Miller is not in the lineup for Friday's game against the Mariners.

Miller is 2-for-12 with five strikeouts over his past five games and will head to the bench for the second time in Cleveland's last four contests. Richie Palacios will bat seventh as the designated hitter Friday.

Mathias is out of the lineup for Friday's game at Boston.

Mathias went 1-for-4 with a walk and an RBI in Thursday's series opener versus the Red Sox and will take a seat Friday. Kole Calhoun will serve as the designated hitter while Bubba Thompson starts in left field. Mathias has now sat against three straight right-handed pitchers and could be stuck in a short-side platoon role at DH.

Lopez will sit Friday against the Tigers.

Lopez owns a poor .571 OPS since the start of August, though that's barely a downgrade from the .584 OPS he posted through the end of July. He continues to start regularly thanks to his glove, but it will be Bobby Witt who slides to shortstop Friday, with Hunter Dozier entering the lineup at third base.