MLB Player News

Altuve went 1-for-4 with a two-run homer Sunday against the Rays.

Altuve has been on an RBI tear, as he's driven in 25 runs this month to give him 87 on the year. The superstar is enjoying a career-year, as he's slashing .355/.415/.565.

Franklin went 3-for-5 with a solo homer Sunday against the Astros.

Franklin has left the yard four times over his last 28 at-bats and he's now slugging .539 in 107 at-bats on the year. The four-year veteran has been a career part-timer, but he currently has a career-high .304 batting average.

Kemp is out of the lineup Sunday against the Rays, marking the seventh straight contest he's been limited to bench duties.

After Carlos Gomez was designated for assignment early in the month, Kemp had been seeing a steady amount of work in left field, but he wasn't really able to seize the opportunity. He's only gone 8-for-34 (.235 average) with no extra-base hits on the month, and with no starts in the past week, it's hard to justify rostering him in most formats. The Astros now appear content to proceed with Marwin Gonzalez and Teoscar Hernandez as their primary options in left field.

Forsythe is out of the lineup Sunday against the Astros, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Forsythe will receive what appears to be a regular maintenance day after starting every day of the week since Monday. In his stead, Nick Franklin will draw the start at the keystone.

Franklin (concussion) has been activated from the seven-day DL and rejoined the Rays in Houston after a strong performance in a Friday night rehab start for High-A Charlotte, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

The 25-year-old utility man went 3-for-4 for the Stone Crabs in his lone rehab start on Friday night, logging time at both second base and left field. He is not in Saturday's starting lineup, but Franklin will presumably be available for pinch-hit duty at a minimum after his brief stint on the sidelines. Reliever Tyler Sturdevant was optioned back to Triple-A Durham in a corresponding move.

Franklin (concussion) is scheduled to take the field with High-A Charlotte on Friday before joining the Rays in Houston on Saturday, Roger Mooney of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

The 25-year-old did some light work without setbacks earlier in the week, so Friday's game will serve the purpose of insuring he's ready for game action before he rejoins the big league club. Franklin has been somewhat of an offensive spark plug for the Rays this season, slashing .292/.364/.510 over 96 at-bats while serving as a valued utility presence in the field.

The A's activated Semien from the paternity list Friday.

Semien is back with the A's after being away from the team for three days to be with his wife and newborn son. Expect him to resume his role as Oakland's everyday shortstop moving forward.

Semien was placed on the paternity list Wednesday, as expected, the San Francisco Chronicle's Susan Slusser reports.

He was away from the team Tuesday and will miss another game Wednesday to be with his wife and newborn son. However, Semien will return for Oakland's next game Friday against the Cardinals, and figures to serve as the everyday shortstop through the end of the season. Reliever J.B. Wendelken was recalled Wednesday as a corresponding move and Chad Pinder figures to get the start at shortstop Wednesday.

Franklin (concussion) did some light work Tuesday without any setbacks, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

The rehabbing 25-year-old reported that he "felt good for the most part" and that he didn't feel any limitations overall. Franklin is likely to keep ramping up his activity in the coming days in preparation for what the Rays hope is a relatively quick return to the lineup. He's served as a refreshingly surprising source of offense over limited action this season, slashing .292/.364/.510 with seven doubles, a triple, four homers and 23 RBI.

Chavis was promoted to High-A Salem on Tuesday, Christopher Smith of MassLive.com reports. He served as Salem's designated hitter Tuesday, going 1-for-4 with a run scored.

Chavis, who was selected in the first round (26th overall) of the 2014 draft, repeated at Low-A Greenville in 2016 after an unspectacular 2015 with the Drive. He started this season looking like he was on a fast track to Salem, but a thumb injury blocked his momentum. Since returning from the injury, Chavis has been unable to replicate his torrid April.