MLB Player News

Hoerner (ankle) will run the bases Saturday, Andy Martinez of Marquee Sports Network reports.

Hoerner was cleared for baseball activities this week, but Saturday's workout will mark the first time he's run the bases since sustaining his ankle injury. The 25-year-old has been on the injured list for nearly a week, and it's possible he'll require a minor-league rehab assignment prior to rejoining the Cubs.

Marte is starting Saturday against the Cubs.

Marte has dealt with a sore hand recently, and he was out of the lineup for three of the last four games. However, he'll start at the keystone and bat third during Saturday's matchup, and he's also expected to start Sunday. Since the start of May, the 28-year-old has hit .365 with a home run, a triple, seven doubles, 11 runs, five RBI and a stolen base over 16 games.

Hernandez moved from center field to shortstop in the eighth inning Friday after Xander Bogaerts exited Boston's 7-3 win over the Mariners with a back injury.

Hernandez filled in because Christian Arroyo was unavailable; Arroyo started in right field but was replaced by a superior defender in Jackie Bradley to start of the seventh inning. If Bogaerts is required to miss any time, Arroyo will likely fill in while Hernandez maintains his primary role as the team's starting center fielder.

Marte is expected to play Saturday and Sunday against the Cubs, Nick Piecoro of the Arizona Republic reports.

Eyebrows were raised when the Diamondbacks gave Marte the day off Friday. He had missed games Tuesday and Wednesday with a sore left hand but returned to play Thursday. Apparently, the club was being cautious in not wanting the second baseman to make back-to-back starts after having just returned from injury.

Merrifield went 2-for-3 with a sacrifice fly, a walk and a run scored in Friday's 6-4 loss to the Twins.

Merrifield saw a 10-game hitting streak end Thursday versus the White Sox, but he was right back at it Friday. The versatile 33-year-old's surge has lifted his slash line to .206/.243/.277 with two home runs, 17 RBI, 15 runs scored and six stolen bases through 38 contests this season. He'll continue to see time at both second base and in the outfield, especially with Michael Taylor (illness) missing from his usual spot in center field.

Chavis went 2-for-4 with a solo home run and two strikeouts in Friday's 5-3 loss to the Cardinals.

Chavis has drawn starts in the last four matchups, and he's recorded hits in each of those games. During that time, he's gone 7-for-13 with a homer, a double, two RBI and a run. The 26-year-old put the Pirates on the board with his solo homer in the bottom of the seventh inning Friday, marking the first time he's gone yard since April 30.

Gorman went 1-for-3 with a run and a walk in Friday's 5-3 win over the Pirates.

Gorman played second base and batted sixth in his major-league debut Friday, and he singled in his first at-bat while drawing a walk in the sixth inning. The 22-year-old is one of the Cardinals' top prospects and should see plenty of time at the keystone after hitting .308 with 15 homers, 31 runs, 23 RBI and three stolen bases in 34 games at Triple-A Memphis to begin the year.

Rojas went 3-for-5 with three home runs, four RBI and a strikeout in Friday's 10-6 win over the Cubs.

Rojas failed to record an extra-base hit in his first 13 games of the season, but he experienced a power surge at Wrigley Field on Friday. The 27-year-old has crossed the plate in five of the last six games and has gone 7-for-19 with three homers, seven runs, six RBI and a steal during that time.

Arraez will sit Friday against Kansas City, Betsy Helfand of the St. Paul Pioneer Press reports.

Arraez has swung a hot bat this season, hitting .323/.425/.406, and has emerged as the Twins' primary first baseman in the absence of Miguel Sano (knee). Jose Miranda will fill that spot Friday.

Castro is not in the lineup for Friday's game against the Guardians.

Castro started at third base in the team's last game Wednesday, with Jeimer Candelario serving as the DH and Miguel Cabrera getting the day off. Cabrera is returning Friday, so Candelario shifts back to the hot corner and Castro will hit the bench. The latter is batting a robust .292, but he'll need more regular playing time to really make a significant fantasy impact.