MLB Player News
-
Christian Arroyo 2B | NYM
Red Sox's Christian Arroyo: Moves back into utility role
Arroyo is out of the lineup for Monday's game against the Rays.
Arroyo is on the bench for the second straight game and looks like he's been moved back into a utility role in the aftermath of second baseman Trevor Story recently returning from the injured list and with first baseman Triston Casas receiving a promotion from Triple-A Worcester. The righty-hitting Arroyo will likely see most of his starts against left-handed pitching moving forward.
-
Luisangel Acuna CF | CHW
Rangers' Luisangel Acuna: Could take on another position
Texas assistant general manager for player development Ross Fenstermaker said Acuna could be asked to play other positions in addition to shortstop.
Acuna has already appeared at second base 20 times this season for Double-A Amarillo, and Fenstermaker believes he could handle center field as well. "I think he's very athletic playing in the middle of the diamond, he's just got natural instincts and feeling and the first acceleration to get off the ball," the assistant GM said. The 20-year-old shortstop is slashing .234/.293/.402 since a promotion from High-A Hickory on Aug. 1. Expanding his defensive portfolio makes sense since the Rangers are locked in at middle infield with Corey Seager and Marcus Semien for the next several seasons.
-
Santiago Espinal 2B | LAD
Blue Jays' Santiago Espinal: Draws back into starting nine
Espinal (hand) will start at third base and bat ninth in the first game of Monday's doubleheader with the Orioles.
After sitting out out Sunday's 4-3 win over Pittsburgh due to a hand injury, Espinal is back in action for the series opener in Baltimore, albeit at a different position than usual with Gold Glove third baseman Matt Chapman serving as the Blue Jays' designated hitter in the matinee game. Chapman should settle back in at third base for the nightcap, leaving Espinal to fend off Cavan Biggio and Whit Merrifield for reps at the keystone over the final month of the season. Despite his status as a first-time All-Star, Espinal doesn't have much security atop the depth chart after slashing .247/.319/.318 thus far in the second half.
-
Harold Castro 2B | KC
Tigers' Harold Castro: Provides offense Sunday
Castro went 2-for-4 with a two-run home run in Sunday's 3-2 loss to the Royals.
Castro's home run in the fourth inning, his sixth of the season, provided all of the Detroit offense, and he and Javier Baez were the only Tigers with multiple hits. The six home runs are a new career best for Castro, who's been more of a steady contact hitter at the MLB level. He has some fantasy value while he's locked into a regular role, though he doesn't typically provide much in terms of counting stats.
-
David Hensley 1B | DET
Astros' David Hensley: Tallies first career RBI
Hensley went 2-for-4 with a double, two RBI and two runs scored in Sunday's 9-1 win over the Angels.
Hensley started at third base with Alex Bregman getting a regular day off. Hensley took advantage of the opportunity, collecting his first career RBI on a two-run double in the second inning. With Yordan Alvarez (hand) back in the lineup, Hensley may struggle to find consistent playing time moving forward. Across 17 career plate appearances, he has six hits -- including two doubles.
-
Andres Gimenez SS | TOR
Guardians' Andres Gimenez: Contributes steal in loss
Gimenez went 0-for-3 with two walks, a stolen base and a run scored in Sunday's 6-3 extra-innings loss to the Mariners.
Gimenez saw a modest three-game hitting streak end Sunday, but he was still able to get aboard twice for the second time in four games. The second baseman walked, stole second and scored in the seventh inning. He slashed .326/.390/.494 through 25 games in August, and Gimenez appears to be keeping up the consistency to begin September. For the year, he owns a .299/.367/.480 slash line with 15 home runs, 16 steals (in 18 attempts), 60 RBI and 50 runs scored through 119 contests as a near-everyday player.
-
Amed Rosario 3B | NYY
Guardians' Amed Rosario: Adds steal Sunday
Rosario went 1-for-5 with a stolen base and a run scored in Sunday's 6-3 extra-innings loss to the Mariners.
Rosario singled, stole second and scored on an Oscar Gonzalez single for the tying run in the eighth inning. This was just the second time in six games Rosario has hit safely -- he's gone 3-for-24 (.125) with eight strikeouts in that stretch. The shortstop's slump has him down to a .278/.311/.395 slash line with eight home runs, 13 steals, 52 RBI and 71 runs scored through 125 contests this year.
-
Jose Altuve 2B | HOU
Astros' Jose Altuve: Connects on 23rd homer
Altuve went 3-for-4 with a two-run home run, a double and an additional RBI in a 9-1 win against the Angels on Sunday.
Altuve singled in the first inning, doubled home a run as part of a five-run second and added a two-run homer in the seventh to chase Angels starter Tucker Davidson. The 32-year-old is in the midst of a scorching 10-game stretch, during which he's gone 17-for-40 with three long balls and six doubles. The recent uptick has boosted his season line to .292/.377/.524, with his .901 OPS ranking eighth in MLB.
-
Nicky Lopez 3B | CHC
Royals' Nicky Lopez: Steals 13th base
Lopez went 2-for-3 with a walk, a stolen base and an RBI in a 3-2 win Sunday in Detroit.
Lopez had an RBI single in the fourth, singled and stole second in the sixth and walked in the eighth. It was just the second time he reached base safely three times in a game since July 7. He is now 13-for-16 in stolen base attempts on the season and has six steals since the beginning of August.
-
Marcus Semien 2B | NYM
Rangers' Marcus Semien: Steals 21st base
Semien went 0-for-3 with a run scored, a walk and a stolen base in a 5-2 loss Sunday in Boston.
Semien walked, stole second and scored in Texas' two-run first inning. It was his 21st stolen base this season but only his second since July 31. The 31-year-old has reached base safely in 16 straight contests, posting a .313/.384/.547 line with 16 runs scored and eight walks in that span.