MLB Player News

Kemp was reassigned to Astros' minor league camp Sunday, Evan Drellich of the Houston Chronicle reports.

A non-roster invitee to camp, Kemp struggled at the plate with only one hit over 18 Grapefruit League at-bats, but he drew a walk, stole two bases and scored four runs during his time with the Astros. With a profile that compares favorably to All-Star Jose Altuve, the 24-year-old second baseman should have your attention in dynasty leagues, but Houston is in no rush to promote him with Altuve ahead of him at the keystone. Kemp will likely spend a full season at Triple-A Fresno in 2016.

Fontana was optioned to Triple-A Fresno on Sunday, Brad McTaggart of MLB.com reports.

Fontana entered the spring with slim odds of claiming a spot on the Opening Day roster, and only hurt his chances by going 2-for-19 (.105) at the dish in his 13 games. The 24-year-old should see regular at-bats with Fresno, but doesn't profile as much more than a utility infielder in the big leagues.

Franklin was optioned to minor league camp Saturday.

Franklin hit .348 over 23 at-bats this spring with the Rays, but is now on track to start the year at Triple-A Durham.

Andrus (illness) returned to action Friday, going 1-for-2 with a single and a strikeout against Seattle.

He was the latest in Rangers camp to be bit by the flu bug, but Andrus was right back in the lineup a day after being sent home. At 27 years old, Andrus already has 4635 plate appearances under his belt in the majors and may not have another level to his game, but he's been very durable and a consistent stolen base contributor from the shortstop position.

Polanco was optioned to Triple-A Rochester.

Polanco had an impressive spring as he hit .286 (8-for-28) with a home run. Polanco hit .289/.346/.393 at Double-A Chattanooga last year, but had just a .661 OPS at Triple-A. He was just 21 last season, so he could improve rapidly in his second stint at Triple-A. It's possible he could be a starter in the infield in the majors this summer if injuries strike.

Forsythe (elbow) went 1-for-3 with a solo homer in Thursday's 6-1 spring victory over the Phillies.

Two days after being hit by a pitch against the Phillies, Forsythe was back in the lineup and leading off Thursday's game with a solo homer to center field off Philadelphia starter Vince Velasquez. Although he whiffed in his other two at-bats, the 29-year-old infielder is hitting a scorching .478 (11-for-23) with a homer and two RBI this spring.

Andrus left camp Thursday with an illness, Stefan Stevenson of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram reports.

Illnesses have been going around spring training camps like wildfire, and Andrus and Josh Hamilton (knee) became the most recent victims. That being said, they should be able to return to camp within the next few days barring any extraneous circumstances.

In 11 Grapefruit League appearances, Fontana is 2-for-14 (.143) with four walks and an RBI.

Fontana projects to be a utility infielder in the big leagues some day, but Astros manager A.J. Hinch loves Marwin Gonzalez, who will play all over the diamond in that role this season. The 24-year-old will likely return to Triple-A Fresno to open 2016.

Semien had his first multi-hit game of the spring Monday, going 2-for-4 against the Giants.

Semien enters 2016 in a better place than spring 2015, now clearly slotted in as the A's starting shortstop. Offensively, Semien provided nice fantasy value in 2015, compiling 15 homers to go with 11 stolen bases. Semien's big issue was the large number of errors he had at shortstop, but he seemed to gain comfort and confidence with the leather in the second half under the tutelage of Ron Washington. With the A's lineup stronger and deeper in 2016, it is still up in the air where Semien may slot in the lineup which could affect his runs and RBI, but he should be a nice source of speed and power for fantasy owners later in drafts at a thin position.

Forsythe (elbow) is expected to play in Thursday's game, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

The 29-year-old's injury was minor as expected, and he can now return to preparing for Opening Day. Forsythe set career highs in pretty much every major statistical category last season and will look to continue that production in 2016. He is a candidate to lead off for Tampa Bay.