MLB Player News

Gormand went 0-for-3 with a walk and a stolen base in Thursday's 5-0 loss to the Pirates.

The Cardinals couldn't get much going in the contest, but Gorman and Willson Contreras tried to provide a spark with a double-steal in the forth inning. Gorman's more of a slugger -- this was his first attempt on the basepaths this season, and he's matched his total in stolen bases from 89 games last year. The 22-year-old has done well with the bat, slashing .286/.419/.686 with four home runs, 10 RBI and five runs scored over 11 contests.

Merrifield went 1-for-4 with a stolen base in a loss to the Tigers on Thursday.

Merrifield started in left field for Toronto, marking the third position he has fielded in his past three starts (he played second base Wednesday and right field Sunday). The versatility is helping him remain in the lineup, as the veteran has started 10 of Toronto's 13 games so far this season. Merrifield is slashing a modest .250/.310/.278 with just one extra-base hit (a double) through 42 plate appearances, but he did manage his second theft Thursday. Fantasy managers who roster Merrifield likely aren't expecting much in the way of power from the 34-year-old, so he'll need to provide production in the stolen-base department to remain a viable fantasy asset.

Espinal has been added to the Blue Jays' lineup Thursday against the Tigers.

He will start at third base and bat eighth versus the Tigers and right-hander Spencer Turnbull. Matt Chapman was scratched before first pitch due to a viral illness.

Lowe went 2-for-4 with a home run, two RBI and two runs scored in Thursday's victory over the Red Sox.

The 28-year-old tied the game 3-3 in the fifth inning with an RBI single off Richard Bleier. Lowe then extended Tampa's lead to 9-3 in the seventh with a solo home run -- his fifth of the season, all of which have come in his past six games. He has gotten off to a fast start this year, going 11-for-33 with 12 runs and 12 RBI.

Julien is starting at second base and batting leadoff for the Twins on Thursday against the Yankees.

Julien went 0-for-2 with a walk from the eight spot in his major-league debut Wednesday but will move to the top of the order for this one. His on-base skills make him a natural long-term fit at leadoff for the Twins, although we wouldn't necessarily count on it being a regular occurrence right away.

Stott is batting leadoff and starting at second base Thursday against the Reds.

He batted eighth against Marlins lefty Jesus Luzardo on Tuesday but is hitting atop the order Thursday versus the Reds and Nick Lodolo. Stott has quickly taken on a prominent role this year for the defending NL champions while slashing .420/.431/.500 with three stolen bases across his first 12 games. He's hit leadoff in three of the last four, with Trea Turner occupying the No. 2 hole.

Torres (hip) is back in the Yankees' lineup Thursday against the Twins.

Torres tweaked his hip flexor Tuesday and didn't start Wednesday, although he entered the game as a pinch runner. He'll start at second base and hit leadoff against Minnesota righty Joe Ryan.

Alu (hamstring) joined up Thursday with Triple-A Rochester following a rehab assignment, Bobby Blanco of MASNSports.com reports.

Alu began the season on Rochester's injured list, but he is good to go now following a four-game stint with High-A Wilmington. The 26-year-old had a strong showing in the upper minors last summer, batting .299/.365/.506 with 20 home runs, 81 RBI, 15 stolen bases and 81 runs scored in 132 games between Double-A and Triple-A.

NcNeil went 0-for-1 with three walks and a stolen base in Wednesday's win over the Padres.

Blake Snell and Brent Honeywell issued seven free passes in 6.2 innings between them, and McNeil was more than happy to take advantage. The steal was the first of the season for the 31-year-old, but McNeil hasn't really caught fire at the plate yet, slashing .250/.389/.341 through 13 games with four doubles, three runs and five RBI.

Sosa went 1-for-4 with a solo home run Wednesday against the Twins.

He was recalled from Triple-A Charlotte on Tuesday after Tim Anderson (knee) went down. Sosa drew his first start Wednesday and took Jhoan Duran yard in the ninth inning to tally his first homer of the season and second of his career. Sosa was off to a hot start with Charlotte before the promotion, and he should mix into the starting lineup at second base and shortstop along with Elvis Andrus and Romy Gonzalez so long as Anderson is sidelined.