MLB Player News

Castro will start at second base and bat second Thursday against Cleveland.

Castro saw a five-game streak with multiple hits come to an end Wednesday with an 0-for-4 showing in the Tigers' 1-0 win, but it won't stop him from getting a third consecutive start. He'll be filling in at second base while the usual starter at the position, Willi Castro, gets a turn as the Tigers' designated hitter.

Rojas went 3-for-4 with a double, two RBI and a run scored in Wednesday's 5-4 loss to the Giants.

Rojas ran his hit streak to six games, going 10-for-23 with five doubles and three RBI during that run. The utility player has been filling in at second base and right field while Asdrubal Cabrera (hamstring) and Kole Calhoun (hamstring) are sidelined. The Diamondbacks have dropped 10 straight, falling to last place in the NL West, so they may decide to begin preparing for next season. That means potentially handing second base to Rojas even when Cabrera returns.

Altuve went 2-for-4 with a solo home run, two total RBI and two total runs in Wednesday's 5-2 win over the Dodgers.

Altuve got Houston off to a quick start, smashing a 401-foot long ball to left field off Trevor Bauer to lead off the bottom half of the first inning. In the seventh frame, he added another RBI on an infield single and subsequently came around to score on Aledmys Diaz's home run. Altuve has bounced back with a .311/.360/460 slash line in 2021 after hitting only .219 last season. With six homers and 21 RBI, he has already surpassed his totals over 48 games in 2020.

Merrifield went 1-for-3 with a walk, a stolen base and two strikeouts in Wednesday's 2-1 extra-inning loss to Tampa Bay.

In the sixth inning, Merrifield drew a walk, advanced to second on a wild pitch, and stole third. The speedster has already racked up 14 steals in 47 games this season. He's slashing .251/.322/.374 with four home runs, 24 RBI and 28 runs scored in 205 plate appearances. Merrifield may eventually share the leadoff spot in the order with Adalberto Mondesi, who returned from an oblique injury Tuesday.

Hoerner (hamstring) was placed on the 10-day injured list Wednesday, Russell Dorsey of the Chicago Sun-Times reports.

It was initially unclear how severe Hoerner's left hamstring strain was, but now it's apparent that he'll require more than just a few days to recover. The injury comes at a bad time for the infielder, who was in the midst of a 10-for-27 stretch at the plate. Outfielder Rafael Ortega was selected from Triple-A Iowa in a corresponding move.

Rosario is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Tigers.

The 25-year-old receives a day off amidst his hottest offensive stretch of the season, during which he's gone 12-for-32 with four walks and two stolen bases in nine games. Owen Miller fills in at shortstop for Wednesday's contest.

Frazier went 1-for-3 with a walk in Tuesday's 4-3 loss to the Cubs.

He was also hit on the left foot by a Jake Arrieta 88-mph breaking pitch in the second inning but remained in the game. The offensively-starved Pirates can ill afford to be without Frazier who is slashing .335/.401/.459 in 207 plate appearances. Fortunately, it appears as though the team (and fantasy managers) dodged a bullet Tuesday.

Mayfield is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Athletics.

Mayfield had started three of the past four games at second base, going 1-for-10 over that stretch. Ty France was reinstated from the injured list Monday and could settle in as the primary option at the position until Dylan Moore (calf) is back from the IL, in which case Mayfield may have to settle for a utility role moving forward.

Polanco will start at second base and bat second Wednesday against the Orioles, Aaron Gleeman of The Athletic reports.

Before he returned Tuesday from a four-game absence due to an ankle injury, Polanco appeared in danger of slipping into more of a part-time role with Minnesota lineup nearly at full strength minus Byron Buxton (hip). However, with Luis Arraez (shoulder) joining Buxton on the injured list Wednesday, Polanco looks to have a fairly clear path to an everyday job. Polanco will likely need to improve on his middling .232/.305/.381 slash line to ensure he remains a regular in the starting nine once Arraez is back in the fold.

Arraez was placed on the 10-day injured list with a right shoulder strain Wednesday, Brandon Warne of Access Twins reports.

Arraez had been held out of the last two games, and he's apparently dealing with a shoulder injury that will force him to miss additional time. Jorge Polanco will likely serve as the primary second baseman while Arraez is sidelined.