MLB Player News

Espinosa is out of the lineup Wednesday against the Twins.

It will mark the second consecutive game that Espinosa will be on the bench, an indication that his hold on an everyday role at the keystone is slipping. The Angels will go with their third different second baseman is as many days with Cliff Pennington receiving the start Wednesday after Nick Franklin handled the position Tuesday.

Andrus was put on the paternity list prior to Wednesday's series finale against Boston, Stefan Stevenson of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram reports.

Andrus will miss Wednesday's game and could be out until Sunday if he winds up spending the full three games away from the team. This marks the first time in nine years since Andrus is not on the active roster for Texas. In a corresponding move, the team recalled Jurickson Profar from the minors to start at shortstop while Andrus is away.

Barreto is expected to report back to Triple-A Nashville at some point during the Athletics' four-game series with the Mariners that begins Monday, Ron Kroichick of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.

Injuries to Marcus Semien (wrist) and Chad Pinder (hamstring) prompted the Athletics to give Barreto his first promotion to the majors, but the 21-year-old will soon be due to lose out on an everyday role at shortstop with Semien set to come off the 60-day disabled list in the coming days. Barreto has had his moments during his first 10 games in the big leagues -- with his walkoff home run Tuesday representing his most notable achievement -- but with a .211 average over 38 at-bats, he could probably benefit from some further finishing in the minors.

Athletics manager Bob Melvin confirmed Semien (wrist) would return from the 60-day disabled list during the team's series with the Mariners that begins Thursday, Ron Kroichick of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.

The Athletics haven't tipped their hand on how they'll open up a roster spot for Semien, but it's likely that prized prospect Franklin Barreto, who has been seeing regular time at shortstop, will be optioned back to Triple-A Nashville to facilitate the move. Semien, who has out since mid-April after fracturing his right wrist, has performed well during his eight-game rehab assignment that has included stops in the California and Pacific Coast Leagues, going 10-for-31 with two home runs and three doubles. The extra-base knocks offer encouragement that his surgically-repaired wrist won't limit his power production as he prepares to settle back into an everyday role up the middle for the Athletics.

Frazier is not in the lineup Wednesday against the Phillies.

Frazier has just one hit in the past three games, so he'll get a night off to clear his head. John Jaso will pick up a start in left field to replace him.

Barreto went 2-for-4 with two RBI from a run-scoring triple and a game-winning solo home run in Tuesday's 7-6 win over the White Sox.

The rookie provided some timely hitting to say the least, driving in Jaycob Brugman with a three-bagger to deep right in the fourth and then launching a 392-foot game-winning blast to left off Tommy Kahnle in the bottom of the ninth. Barreto closed out June with an 0-for-11 stretch over the last four contests of the month, but he's now hit safely in three of his first four games of July.

Rodgers (head) has appeared in each of the past three games, going 2-for-11 with two RBI and three strikeouts in that span.

The top prospect was hit in the head by a pitch Saturday in the first game of Double-A Hartford's twin bill with the Portland Sea Dogs, but it seems like he's not experiencing any lingering effects from the incident. Rodgers should continue to get plenty of chances to play as he advances up the Rockies' organizational ladder, although it would be nice to see him improve his current .214 batting average with the Yard Goats.

Altuve went 3-for-5 with a walk, a double, a home run, two runs scored and four RBI in Tuesday's 16-4 rout of the Braves.

The homer was his 12th of the year, and just past the midpoint of the season Altuve is almost exactly on pace to duplicate his 2016 performance. The 27-year-old should remain a rock-solid fantasy asset in the second half.

Polanco is out of the lineup Tuesday against the Angels, Brandon Warne of ZoneCoverage.com reports.

Polanco has mustered only three hits over his last five games, so he'll get a day off the bench to unwind. Ehire Adrianza (abdomen), who was activated from the 10-day disabled list following Monday's game, will fill in for Polanco at shortstop.

Espinosa is out of the lineup Tuesday against the Twins, Jeff Fletcher of The Orange County Register reports.

Espinosa has produced only two hits in his last 24 at-bats, dropping his season average to .166. The veteran looks to be hanging on to the starting job at second base by a thread and may have already settled into a timeshare at the position. He'll be on the bench for the second time in four games while Nick Franklin receives the start at the keystone.