MLB Player News

Espinal (side) isn't starting Thursday against the Rays.

Espinal exited Wednesday's matchup against Philadelphia due to left side discomfort, and he'll be out of the lineup for at least one game. Cavan Biggio will take his place at the keystone and bat ninth.

Altuve (elbow) isn't in the lineup Thursday against Baltimore.

Altuve was removed from Wednesday's game after being hit in the elbow by a pitch, and he'll be held out of the lineup a day later. However, he underwent X-rays that came back negative and expects to play Friday against the Orioles, per Danielle Lerner of the Houston Chronicle. Aledmys Diaz will draw the start at the keystone and bat seventh Thursday.

Hoerner (triceps) isn't in the lineup Thursday against Pittsburgh.

The Cubs have chosen not to place Hoerner on the injured list for now, but he'll be on the bench for a 10th consecutive game Thursday due to his triceps issue. However, he'll do work on the field ahead of the series opener versus the Pirates. Christopher Morel is starting at shortstop and batting ninth.

Estrada (elbow) is starting Thursday against Colorado.

Estrada wasn't in Wednesday's lineup due to an elbow injury, but he appeared off the bench and went 0-for-2 with a strikeout. The 26-year-old is starting at the keystone and batting third in Thursday's series finale.

Rodgers was placed on the 10-day injured list with a left hamstring strain Thursday, retroactive to Sept. 19.

Rodgers was slated to sit for a fourth consecutive game Thursday as he continues to deal with his hamstring injury, but the Rockies will choose to place him on the injured list to give him at least another week to recover. The 26-year-old recently underwent an MRI that revealed encouraging results, and the Rockies hope that he'll be able to return when he's first eligible Sept. 29, Patrick Lyons of TheDNVR.com reports. Rodgers' move to the injured list makes room for Ezequiel Tovar on the Rockies' active roster.

Diaz went 2-for-2 with a walk and a run in a win over the Mariners on Wednesday.

The rookie drew the start at designated hitter and made good use of all three of his plate appearances. Diaz, who made his big-league debut Sunday, has enjoyed varying degree of success in each of the three games he's played thus far, going 3-for-9 with Wednesday's walk and two total runs in that span.

Rodgers (hamstring) is not in Thursday's lineup against the Giants, Patrick Saunders of The Denver Post reports.

Rodgers, who has not played since Sunday due to a hamstring injury, recently underwent an MRI that showed encouraging results. However, he is still running out of time to make it back this season. Ryan McMahon is starting at second base while Elehuris Montero mans the hot corner.

Massey is not in Thursday's lineup against the Twins.

Massey is hitting .255 with one home run and one stolen base in 15 games this month. Nicky Lopez is starting at the keystone and hitting eighth.

Gimenez went 2-for-4 with two RBI and a run scored in Wednesday's win over the White Sox.

Gimenez tallied a pair of RBI singles, both off starter Lance Lynn. The second baseman has recorded multiple hits in four of his last nine games and has a .344/.417/.469 slash line during that stretch.

Rojas was held out of Wednesday's start because he's slipped defensively, Nick Piecoro of the Arizona Republic reports.

The lefty-hitting Rojas is usually a lineup staple against right-handed starters -- Dustin May was on the mound for the Dodgers -- but he was replaced at third base by Emmanuel Rivera, a right-handed batter. Rojas failed to convert three chances during an ugly eighth inning Tuesday, when the Dodgers plated five runs in a 6-5 Arizona loss. "I told him he has to work out here pregame, he's got to get back to the basic fundamentals and develop that feeling and flow and a confidence in picking up ground balls," manager Torey Lovullo said. Infield coach Tony Perezchica is working with Rojas on the infielder's technique. Rojas is tied at 32nd out of 36 qualified third basemen with a minus-7 outs above average.