MLB Player News

Stefanic is out of the lineup for Tuesday's game against the Marlins, Jeff Fletcher of The Orange County Register reports.

Stefanic will take a seat after he struck out in all three of his at-bats in his MLB debut in Sunday's 4-2 loss to the Astros. Interim manager Phil Nevin suggested that Stefanic will receive an opportunity to play on a regular basis, but the rookie will still find himself on the bench for the series opener in Miami nonetheless. Luis Rengifo and Andrew Velazquez will serve as the Halos' starters in the middle infield Tuesday.

Hernandez (hip) took part in baserunning work and picked up at-bats in batting practice Tuesday, Alex Speier of The Boston Globe reports.

Hernandez's ability to run the bases may be the final hurdle he needs to clear in his recovery from a right hip strain before the Red Sox send him out on a minor-league rehab assignment later this week. Once he's reinstated from the 15-day injured list, Hernandez should take over as Boston's everyday center fielder, with Jarren Duran moving into a bench role as a result.

Villar went 2-for-4 with a double and an RBI in Monday's 8-3 loss to the Diamondbacks.

Villar contributed a leadoff double in the second inning and an RBI single in the third for a moderately successful major-league debut. The 25-year-old's stay on the Giants' roster could be short -- he's up to serve as infield depth, but Brandon Crawford (knee) is close to a return from the 10-day injured list. Villar has slashed .284/.409/.633 with 21 home runs, 62 RBI, 53 runs scored and 15 doubles in 66 games for Triple-A Sacramento prior to his call-up, so there's reason to think Monday won't be the extent of his big-league contributions in 2022.

Kim is out of the lineup for Tuesday's game against the Mariners, Jeff Sanders of The San Diego Union-Tribune reports.

After starting each of the past three games at shortstop and 17 straight games overall, Kim will get a much-needed breather for Tuesday's series finale. CJ Abrams will pick up the start at shortstop, but Kim appears set to handle regular duties at the position moving forward now that Manny Machado has taken back an everyday role at third base following a recent nine-game absence due to an ankle injury.

Andrus went 1-for-4 with a two-run double in a win over the Blue Jays on Monday.

The veteran shortstop plated Seth Brown and Sean Murphy in the first inning with a two-bagger that extended the Athletics' lead to 3-0 at the time. Andrus has accumulated seven RBI over his last five games, a span during which he's gone 4-for-7 with two doubles with runners in scoring position.

Drury went 1-for-3 with a walk and a three-run home run in Monday's 7-4 loss to the Mets.

The veteran utility player took Taijuan Walker deep in the third inning to tie the score at 3-3, but the Reds' offense didn't do much after that. Drury has established a new career high with 17 homers this season in only 69 games, and his .270/.331/.533 slash line should keep him locked into an everyday role for Cincinnati, barring a trade to a contender before the deadline.

Merrifield went 2-for-5 with a double, a run scored and a stolen base in Monday's 7-6 loss to the Astros.

The 33-year-old continues to look spry on the basepaths. Over his last 16 games, Merrifield is 7-for-8 on steal attempts while slashing .290/.397/.371 with five doubles, six RBI and 11 runs. His power numbers have taken a step backward this season, but with 14 stolen bases through 78 games, he's got a shot at his fourth career campaign with 30-plus pilfers.

Semien went 3-for-4 with a solo home run, a second run scored and a stolen base in Monday's 7-6 extra-inning loss to Baltimore.

Semien's solo shot in the top of the ninth inning gave Texas a lead that closer Joe Barlow was unable to protect. The Rangers, who lead MLB with 66 stolen bases, have encouraged Semien to create havoc on the basepaths, and he's responded with 14 steals (16 attempts). That leaves Semien, who recorded double-digit steals in every season but the pandemic-shortened 2020, one shy of his career high set in 2021. Semien's deep slump to start 2022 appears to be a thing of the past; he's slashed .327/.373/.589 with eight homers, 16 RBI, six steals and 19 runs over the last 26 games.

Arraez went 3-for-5 with a pair of doubles, one RBI and two runs scored in Monday's 6-3 extra-inning win over the White Sox.

Arraez doubled twice early on and added an RBI single to spark a rally in the 10th inning. The 25-year-old continues to make consistent contact, as this was his seventh multi-hit effort in his last 11 games. He's gone 17-for-47 (.362) with six doubles and a triple in that span. For the season, the versatile defender owns a .348/.422/.453 slash line with four home runs, 28 RBI, 46 runs scored and two stolen bases in 303 plate appearances.

Lux is not in the lineup for Monday's game against the Rockies.

The Dodgers are employing a righty-heavy lineup against Rockies starter Kyle Freeland, so Lux will open Monday's game on the bench. Mookie Betts will man the keystone and Chris Taylor will get the start in left field.