MLB Player News

Motter belted a two-run home run, doubled and scored in the Mariners' 9-6 loss to the Athletics on Thursday.

The utility infielder got back to his hot-hitting ways, and Motter now leads the team with a stellar 1.067 OPS. Although Jean Segura (hamstring) is expected to return from the disabled list early next week, given Motter's early success, it's hard to see the Mariners not making an effort to keep his hot bat in the lineup.

Semien (hand) was transferred to the 60-day disabled list Thursday.

This doesn't come as too much of a surprise, as the 26-year-old just had six screws inserted into his scaphoid bone to help repair a fracture. Semien will be reevaluated in six weeks, at which point there may be a clearer timetable for his return. He is eligible to come off the DL in mid June, though it remains uncertain whether he'll be activated then. In the meantime, Adam Rosales and Chad Pinder will continue to fill in at shortstop in his stead.

Chavis (elbow) is active and has seven hits, including four home runs, in 15 at-bats at High-A Salem.

He hit the 7-day DL after sustaining a minor elbow injury, which is why he has only played in four games, but the 21-year-old third baseman has really made up for lost time. Injuries are the only reason Chavis has not advanced to Double-A at this stage in his minor-league career. If he continues to abuse Carolina League pitching, he should receive a promotion sometime this summer.

Torres was placed on the 7-day minor league disabled list, retroactive to April 18, with mild rotator cuff tendinitis.

While initially considered day-to-day, Torres' injury is significant enough to warrant a trip to the DL. Nonetheless, it doesn't seem like a severe injury, so it is likely he will return by late next week. With Double-A Trenton, Torres had been hitting .237 in 38 at-bats before the injury.

Torres was diagnosed with right shoulder inflammation and is not expected to be sidelined for any extended period, the Bergen Record's Pete Caldera reports.

It sounds like he is simply day-to-day, although he will likely be given at least a couple days off just to be safe. This should not affect Torres' value in dynasty or single-season leagues. Torres was hitting .237/.341/.342 with no home runs and one steal in 44 plate appearances prior to the injury.

Andrus is batting sixth in Wednesday's game versus the Athletics, Evan Grant of the Dallas Morning News reports.

Andrus has gotten off to a scorching start at the plate, batting .321 with three home runs. However, with Shin-Soo Choo's recent walking frenzy, the Rangers opted to move Choo into the two-hole while Andrus slides down to the sixth spot. It's a shame to see this happen when the 28-year-old infielder is playing so well, but if there's a silver lining, this move may allow more people to be on base when he comes to the plate.

Andrus went 2-for-4 with an RBI, a run scored and a pair of stolen bases in Tuesday's 4-2 loss to the Athletics.

Andrus' surprising power surge has been the main reason behind his early-season success, but the 28-year-old is still capable of wreaking havoc on the basepaths, too. With four stolen bases in five attempts through the Rangers' first 14 games, Andrus is well on his way to a ninth straight season of 20-plus steals.

Merrifield got the start in right field Tuesday and hit eighth, going 2-for-3 with two walks and a solo home run in a 2-1 extra-inning loss to the Giants.

With Jorge Soler (oblique) still on the mend, Merrifield could find a regular home in right field in the short term. Raul Mondesi is slashing just .114/1.62/.200 through 13 games, though, so second base could be where Merrifield sees most of his playing time before the season is over.

Semien (wrist) underwent successful surgery Tuesday, Jane Lee of MLB.com reports.

Semien's surgery involved getting six screws inserted into his scaphoid bone to repair his fracture. As was previously reported, the 26-year-old will be reevaluated in six weeks. Until then, Adam Rosales and Chad Pinder will handle the shortstop duties.

Yankees manager Joe Girardi announced Tuesday that the belief is that Torres is dealing with bicep tendinitis, Erik Boland of Newsday Sports reports.

Torres was scratched from the Double-A Trenton lineup Tuesday and will likely undergo an MRI in the coming days. A more precise diagnosis should become available shortly. He'll remain day-to-day.