Kim (back) isn't part of the starting nine for Friday's game against the Reds, Ryan Bass of FanDuel Sports Network Sun reports.

Kim will be out of the lineup for a third straight game since suffering a back injury Monday. Taylor Walls will draw another start at shortstop Friday. Kim reported lower-back tightness Monday after making an awkward throw to first base.

Rocchio could see a drop in playing time if Gabriel Arias (ankle) is activated this weekend as expected.

Rocchio has performed much better during his second stint in the majors this season and has made a case for sticking on the MLB roster. He opened the year as Cleveland's starter at shortstop, but after posting a .433 OPS through 35 games, he was demoted to Triple-A Columbus in early May. Rocchio had an .837 OPS for the Clippers and a .709 mark since his recall in early July when Arias was placed on the 10-day injured list.

Arias (ankle) could be activated off the 10-day injured list ahead of this weekend's series against the Royals, MLB.com reports.

Arias has played four games so far on a rehab assignment at Triple-A Columbus, including two consecutive nine-inning contests at shortstop Tuesday and Wednesday. The back-to-back work in the field suggests his activation is imminent. Prior to the injury, Arias operated as the Guardians' primary shortstop, having replaced a struggling Brayan Rocchio, but it's unclear if he'll return in the same role. Rocchio, who was called up when Arias landed on the IL in early July, has hit .254 (15-for-59) with a .709 OPS, eight extra-base hits and 11 RBI over 20 games. Those results are much better than what he posted over the first 35 games of the season, and which got him demoted in early May.

Wilson is not in the lineup for Thursday's contest in Houston.

Wilson is in a rare funk at the plate, having gone hitless over his last four games, so he'll get a day to regroup. Max Schuemann is filling at shortstop and batting leadoff for the Athletics.

Caballero went 2-for-4 with an RBI, a run, a walk and a stolen base Wednesday against the White Sox.

Caballero continues to see inconsistent playing time, starting three of six games since the All-Star break. That hasn't stopped him from racking up steals, however, as he is tied for the league lead with 33 on the season. Caballero offers little else from a fantasy perspective, as he has only 27 RBI and 34 runs scored across 259 plate appearances for the campaign.

Bichette went 1-for-4 with a two-run home run in Wednesday's win over the Yankees.

He capped the scoring in an 8-4 victory by taking Scott Effross deep in the seventh inning, Bichette's 13th long ball of the year. The 27-year-old shortstop has been on fire in July, slashing .328/.379/.574 through 16 games on the month with nine doubles, two homers, nine runs and 10 RBI.

Montgomery went 2-for-5 with a home run, a double, two total runs and five total RBI in an 11-9 win against Tampa Bay on Wednesday.

It was a big day for Chicago's rookies, as Montgomery and catcher Kyle Teel combined for six hits (including two homers) and seven RBI. Montgomery's long ball was a big three-run shot in the second inning that tied the game 4-4. Montgomery has been hot to begin the second half of the campaign, going 7-for-23 with two home runs and 10 RBI through six contests.

Volpe went 1-for-2 with a solo home run in a loss to Toronto on Wednesday.

Volpe hit one of three Yankees homers in the contest, swatting a 384-foot solo shot in the fifth frame. The young shortstop has just four hits across 19 at-bats to begin the second half, but three of the knocks have been homers. Volpe is up to 13 home runs through 101 contests on the campaign, surpassing the 12 long balls he slugged across 160 regular-season games last year.

Smith is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Athletics.

Though he was included in the lineup for Monday's series opener when the Athletics sent southpaw Jacob Lopez to the hill, the left-handed-hitting Smith will take a seat Wednesday while lefty JP Sears pitches for the opposition. With Smith on the bench, Ezequiel Duran will pick up a start at first base.

Kim (back) isn't in the lineup for Wednesday's game against the White Sox, Ryan Bass of FanDuel Sports Network Sun reports.

Kim will miss a second consecutive start Wednesday after injuring his back during Monday's game. A day off for the Rays on Thursday will give the 29-year-old even more time to recover, and he'll aim to return for the start of the weekend series in Cincinnati on Friday. In the meantime, Taylor Walls will pick up another start at shortstop.