MLB Lineup Update: Acuña Jr. Set for Return, Kwan Leads Off Again

The trade deadline looms just two weeks away, promising significant shifts in team lineups across Major League Baseball. As we emerge from the All-Star break, this week’s lineup report serves as a crucial pre-deadline benchmark, allowing us to assess current trends before the inevitable changes occur.

Ryan Waldschmidt made his return to the majors before the All-Star break, but he finds himself batting eighth or ninth, not playing every day. Tim Tawa is sharing duties between first base and center field, while Gabriel Moreno has solidified his spot in the cleanup position since June 29. However, the lineup has struggled without key players like Nick Kurtz, Brent Rooker, and Zack Gelof. With Joshua Kuroda-Grauer also hitting the injured list this week, Jacob Wilson has stepped up to lead off, followed by Tyler Soderstrom and Shea Langeliers. The team has relied on Carlos Cortes, Donovan Walton, and Jeff McNeil in strong-side platoons, with McNeil also getting some starts at first base.

Attention is focused on Ronald Acuña Jr., who is set to make his return from a hamstring injury this weekend, potentially as early as Friday. When healthy, Acuña has been the leadoff hitter, which would shift Drake Baldwin to the two-hole and Ozzie Albies into a more central role in the batting order. Austin Riley has seen some success lately, even hitting cleanup at times this week. With Ha-Seong Kim sidelined and Jorge Mateo phased out, Jim Jarvis has taken over as the primary shortstop in July.

Taylor Ward and Gunnar Henderson are making headlines, both ranking among the top three in plate appearances this season, with Pete Alonso also making the top ten. Colton Cowser continues to platoon with Leody Taveras in center field, while Christian Encarnacion-Strand has been getting opportunities at third base with Blaze Alexander on the injured list. After injuries to Adley Rutschman and Samuel Basallo, Chadwick Tromp and Sam Huff are expected to share catching duties.

Jarren Duran has not hit higher than seventh in the lineup this month and has been sitting against some left-handed pitchers. Anthony Seigler has emerged as the primary second baseman and leadoff option in July, while Romy Gonzalez and Jahmai Jones are showcasing their talents as lefty-hitting specialists. Masataka Yoshida is serving as the strong-side designated hitter.

Consistency is key for many teams, particularly in the designated hitter role, with Alex Bregman and Michael Busch both ranking in the top five for plate appearances as of Thursday. Kevin Alcántara is on the big-league roster but has seen limited action, while James Triantos is anticipated to make his major league debut this weekend.

Upon returning from the injured list, Munetaka Murakami has reclaimed the two-hole in the batting order. Tristan Peters has solidified his role as the primary center fielder, and Braden Montgomery has only missed two starts since his call-up on June 9. Unfortunately, Kyle Teel is set to miss significant time again this season due to an ankle injury.

Spencer Steer has shown versatility with at least ten starts at first base, second base, and both corner outfield positions this year. Ke’Bryan Hayes is back from the injured list but is only starting half the time, while Edwin Arroyo has taken over at second base even before Matt McLain was placed on the injured list.

Steven Kwan has found his rhythm, reclaiming the leadoff role last Sunday. José Ramírez has also returned from the injured list this week. Brayan Rocchio, who started the season batting primarily in the bottom third, has been moved to the top half of the lineup since mid-June. Chase DeLauter has consistently hit second or third in every start since coming off the injured list on June 28, boasting an impressive six-for-six record against left-handed pitchers.

Jake McCarthy has taken the leadoff spot in all but two games since June 29. While Cole Carrigg has seen a slight decrease in playing time, he remains the primary center fielder. Kyle Karros has been the third baseman throughout the season and has recently moved up in the order, while Edouard Julien and Tyler Freeman have not been consistent enough to impact fantasy leagues. Ezequiel Tovar has struggled with a 37 wRC+ in over 350 plate appearances this season.

Colt Keith has returned to the third spot against right-handed pitchers, swapping places with Kerry Carpenter, who has fallen to the middle of the order. The Tigers are maximizing Dillon Dingler’s playing time, while James Outman continues to platoon with Matt Vierling in center field. Gleyber Torres made his return from the injured list this week.

Jeremy Peña resumes the leadoff role every time he comes back from injury, while Jose Altuve is batting fourth or fifth but struggling at the plate. LaMonte Wade Jr. is now platooning with Zach Dezenzo in left field, and Cam Smith has had the entire week off after a dip in performance following his rookie season.

Carter Jensen has been a consistent leadoff hitter against right-handed pitchers since May 30, and Lane Thomas has hit in the top four of the lineup in every game since late June. Andrew Velazquez has taken over at shortstop in both games since Bobby Witt Jr. landed on the injured list.

Vaughn Grissom is back to near everyday opportunities, moving around the infield and taking playing time away from Denzer Guzman at third base. Wade Meckler’s opportunities have dwindled with Mike Trout back in the lineup.

Andy Pages has consistently hit second in every start since May 26, while Kyle Tucker remains stuck in the lower half of the order during a disappointing season. Tommy Edman is versatile, playing various positions but mostly at second base. Dalton Rushing is getting a chance to prove himself as a starter during Will Smith’s lengthy absence, and Teoscar Hernández has sat against three right-handers this month, a trend worth monitoring.

Kyle Stowers has amassed 28 starts at first base compared to 40 in the outfield this season. Heriberto Hernández has started 11 consecutive games, primarily hitting second or third. Xavier Edwards has taken over as the primary cleanup hitter, with Otto Lopez serving in a table-setting role.

Garrett Mitchell has started 20 of 21 games in center field, enjoying a career year. Luis Lara has started only seven of 14 games since his call-up, while Cooper Pratt has taken over at shortstop and Joey Ortiz at third base with David Hamilton on the injured list.

Luke Keaschall has been exclusively in the outfield since June 23, while Royce Lewis has become the primary first baseman and Kody Clemens the main second baseman, indicating a significant shift in this year’s infield. Trevor Larnach leads off against right-handed pitchers, while Austin Martin does so against southpaws.

A.J. Ewing has seized the leadoff role from Carson Benge, who now bats fifth. Luis Robert Jr. and Marcus Semien have both returned from the injured list recently, while Jared Young has established himself as the primary first baseman against right-handed pitchers.

Jasson Domínguez has been a consistent presence in the lineup, starting all but one game since June 17. Paul Goldschmidt starts against all lefties but not every righty, and Anthony Volpe’s playing time has become sporadic once again.

As the trade deadline approaches, teams are looking to bolster their outfields. Justin Crawford and Gabriel Rincones Jr. have been platooning with Derek Hill and Edmundo Sosa, respectively, while Esmerlyn Valdez has hit cleanup in every game this month, providing power with Oneil Cruz and Konnor Griffin sidelined. Jake Mangum has been receiving most of the leadoff opportunities lately, and Nick Gonzales has held the third base position throughout the season.

Fernando Tatis Jr. is heating up and hasn’t played much second base recently, but he will still qualify at that position in 2027. Ty France has been the everyday first baseman and is currently on a hot streak.

As the best hitter on the team, Bryce Eldridge has reclaimed the two-hole. Matt Chapman is expected to return from injury soon, which could complicate matters for someone in the lineup, especially as the trade deadline approaches.

Dominic Canzone has moved into the three-hole against right-handed pitchers, pushing Josh Naylor down to fifth. Cole Young has been a consistent presence all season, while Colt Emerson remains the primary shortstop, with J.P. Crawford shifting to third base. The situation could change once Brendan Donovan returns from the injured list, but Crawford has also been dealing with a wrist issue this week.

Iván Herrera sat for the first time this season on Thursday, while Lars Nootbaar primarily hits fifth against right-handers, starting only half the time against lefties. Blaze Jordan has faced limited playing time, sitting seven times in a 12-game stretch this month, but has been in the lineup for five straight games. Fans are eager to see when Joshua Baez will get a major league opportunity after the trade deadline.

Chandler Simpson has begun to find his footing again, although he hasn’t hit leadoff since early June. Victor Mesa Jr. has been hot to start the second half, but he is not a true everyday option. Cedric Mullins continues to be the primary cleanup hitter against right-handed pitching.

Corey Seager remains sidelined with a back injury, but the lineup has shown some consistency as the second half begins. Wyatt Langford is back to health, and Brandon Nimmo has recovered from a shoulder scare. They hit second and fourth, respectively, against righties, with Josh Jung and Jake Burger also contributing in the middle of the order. Joc Pederson leads off against right-handers, while Justin Foscue is getting a top-two spot against southpaws.

This lineup currently ranks last in the majors for runs scored, and Vladimir Guerrero Jr. has yet to hit a home run at home this season. Ernie Clement is making an impact, hitting in the top third of the order, while Yohendrick Piñango has returned from Triple-A with Jonatan Clase on the injured list.

Curtis Mead has sat against two of three right-handers since the All-Star break, despite being better against lefties with a 128 wRC+ against righties. James Wood leads MLB in plate appearances, while Dylan Crews has emerged as an everyday player since his call-up, though he hasn’t shown the same improvements as other hitters in the organization this year.

Note: This recap is an independently written summary based on publicly available reporting.