MLB Player News

Polanco (hamstring) will get reps at third base during his rehab assignment, Bobby Nightengale of the Minneapolis Star Tribune reports.

Rookie Edouard Julien has been the Twins' best hitter lately, so he may remain the go-to option at second base against right-handed pitching even once Polanco is healthy. The 30-year-old infielder could instead play third base against righties and second base against southpaws. Polanco is hitting .200 with four strikeouts and two walks through three rehab games.

Julien, who is starting at second base and hitting second Friday against the White Sox, got a vote of confidence with the news that Jorge Polanco (hamstring) will get reps at third base during his rehab assignment, Bobby Nightengale of the Minneapolis Star Tribune reports.

Given that Julien is arguably the game's hottest hitter, with a .593 batting average and three home runs in his last eight games, the Twins probably would have found a spot for him even if Jorge Polanco wasn't adding third base to his repertoire. This is still a nice sign that the Twins may feel they have found their second baseman of the present and future in Julien, although they haven't yet committed to giving him an everyday role. While he generally hits second against righties, Julien hasn't started against a lefty since June 19.

Miller is not in the lineup Friday against Atlanta.

Victor Caratini will play first base and Andruw Monasterio is at third as the Brewers face off against right-hander Charlie Morton. Miller has slashed just .254/.300/.389 in 200 plate appearances this year versus righties.

Ibanez is not in the starting lineup Friday versus the Padres.

Ibanez will take a seat after he started all four games of a series with Kansas City, going 4-for-12 with an RBI and a run scored over those contests. Nick Maton will draw the start at second base and bat seventh in the series opener with San Diego.

Arroyo will sit Friday versus the Mets, Jen McCaffrey of The Athletic reports.

Arroyo will get a breather after he went 1-for-7 with a run and two strikeouts while starting two games during a series with Oakland. Justin Turner will start at second base and bat second in the series opener with New York.

Donovan has no firm date for resuming defensive duties following a visit with an arm specialist in Dallas on Thursday, John Denton of MLB.com reports.

Donovan has been limited to designated hitter duty for the entirety of July because of a right flexor strain. He'll be shut down from throwing for at least another two weeks and it's not clear when, or if, he'll be allowed to play defense again this season. "I don't have a direction we want to go yet," Donovan said. "We're just kind of figuring out the direction [the specialist] wants us to go." Donovan didn't play Thursday while traveling for his doctor's visit and isn't starting Friday versus a lefty, but he should be back at DH sometime over the weekend.

Gorman is not in the starting lineup Friday versus the Cubs, Katie Woo of The Athletic reports.

Gorman will head to the bench as St. Louis faces off with southpaw Justin Steele on Friday. Willson Contreras will slot in at designated hitter while Andrew Knizner enters the lineup behind the plate and bats eighth against Chicago.

Donovan is not in the starting lineup Friday versus the Cubs, Katie Woo of The Athletic reports.

Donovan will take a seat as the Cardinals face off with southpaw Justin Steele on Friday. Jose Fermin will draw the start at second base and bat ninth as St. Louis attempts to extend its win streak to seven straight.

Donovan will be shut down from throwing for at least another two weeks due to renewed arm irritation, Jeff Jones of the Belleville News-Democrat reports.

Donovan had been aiming to return to his usual super-utility role shortly after the All-Star break, but his arm did not respond well to a recent throwing program, and he'll continue to be limited to DH and pinch-hitting duties. He is out of the Cardinals' starting lineup for Thursday's series opener against the Cubs but should be back in the designated hitter role Friday. His injury is being labeled as a "persistent flexor strain," per Katie Woo of The Athletic.

Donovan is not in the lineup Thursday against the Cubs.

Donovan continues to be limited to DH duties because of arm fatigue, and the Cardinals will roll with Paul Goldschmidt in that spot Thursday as Alec Burleson handles first base. Donovan is expected to be able to return to the field sometime early next week.