MLB Player News

Rojas (oblique) was scheduled to hit off a velocity machine Thursday, Nick Piecoro of the Arizona Republic reports.

Arizona manager Torey Lovullo indicated facing the machine is a step up from normal batting practice, which suggests Rojas is progressing from the Grade 2 strain suffered late in spring training. Upon his return, Rojas is expected to serve as the Diamondbacks' primary third baseman.

Hoerner went 1-for-3 with a stolen base Thursday in a loss to Pittsburgh.

Hoerner picked up his second stole base of the season in the seventh inning after grounding into a fielder's choice. He made it to third on a throwing error but was left stranded there. Hoerner has never racked up big stolen-base totals (either in the minors or majors) but certainly has potential in that area given his sprint speed, which ranks in the 90th percentile leaguewide.

Espinal is not in Thursday's lineup against the Red Sox, Rob Longley of the Toronto Sun reports.

The light-hitting infielder is batting .216 with zero home runs and two steals through 37 at-bats. Gosuke Katoh is getting his first big-league start as the Jays' second baseman.

Polanco will sit Thursday against the Royals, Aaron Gleeman of The Athletic reports.

Polanco started the first 12 games of the season but will get a rest for the afternoon contest which caps the team's six-game road trip. Luis Arraez will fill in for him at second base.

Lopez will lead off for the first time this season Thursday against the Twins, Alec Lewis of The Athletic reports.

Bobby Witt was bumped down to seventh in the order, so Lopez will take the leadoff spot against righty Joe Ryan while Whit Merrifield hits second. Lopez is hitting .367/.406/.467 with zero home runs and zero steals this season.

Torres is on the bench for Thursday's game against Detroit.

Torres was on the bench for Opening Day before starting nine straight games, though he's now returned to the bench for two of the last three contests. He certainly hasn't hit as though he deserves an everyday role, as he's slashing .143/.205/.286 through 40 plate appearances. DJ LeMahieu starts at second base Thursday.

Arroyo is starting in right field and batting ninth Thursday against the Blue Jays.

This is his fifth start of the season in right field, which is enough to gain outfield eligibility in some formats. He'll start for Enrique Hernandez, who is getting the day off, while Jackie Bradley slides over to center field. Arroyo is hitting .182 with one run and two RBI through eight games.

Hernandez will get his first day off of the season Thursday against the Blue Jays.

Trevor Story will ascend to the leadoff spot while Jackie Bradley shifts to center field and Christian Arroyo starts in right field. Hernandez is hitting .157/.246/.333 with one home run and a 12:6 K:BB in 51 at-bats.

Marte went 2-for-4 with a double, an RBI and two runs scored in Wednesday's 11-2 win over the Nationals.

Marte is the latest Diamondback regular to push his average to .200 or better, making him one four players at or above the Mendoza line. He barely missed a home run on his first bat before popping out Wednesday, but the second baseman later was involved in a pair of rallies in a breakout performance for the team. The Diamondbacks plated half as many runs in this one game as they had in the previous 11.

Hernandez started at third base and went 1-for-4 with a stolen base and two runs scored in Wednesday's 11-2 win over the Nationals.

The stolen base was Hernandez's second, and the runs were his first, in eight games since being called up from Triple-A Reno. The utility infielder has started four of the last five games at third base, as he and Sergio Alcantara continue to share the position while Josh Rojas (oblique) is unavailable. The hot corner is among the many areas the Diamondbacks need help -- the team's third basemen bring up the rear with a .111 batting average -- but the club seems intent on waiting for Rojas, who recently begun swinging a bat in his rehab program.