MLB Player News

Mired in a 4-for-46 slump in his last 12 games, Rangers shortstop Elvis Andrus was dropped from second to ninth in the batting order Sunday against the Angels. The last time Andrus hit ninth was 2012, and he hasn't hit ninth regularly since 2009.

"It’s not the first time it’s happened," Andrus said. "As long as I’m in the lineup somewhere, I’m happy. I know I’m scuffling a little bit right now. If [manager Ron Washington] thinks somebody else hitting second for now will help the team until I get my timing back, then that is what is best for the team."

A spate of strikeouts likely entered into the decision by Robin Ventura to slide White Sox second baseman Marcus Semien down from second to ninth in the lineup.

Semien is tied for second in the majors with 38 strikeouts in 120 at-bats. But he has otherwise been productive with 19 runs, 15 RBI and three stolen bases. He has scored 10 runs in the last 11 games, but has avoided at least one strikeout in only four games this season.

Yankees third baseman Yangervis Solarte returned to the starting lineup Tuesday against the Mariners after sitting out Sunday's game with a sore right shoulder. Solarte is batting .136 (3 for 22) with four RBI in his last six games.

Yankees infielder Yangervis Solarte was scratched from the starting lineup Sunday against the Angels with a sore right shoulder, the team announced. Brian Roberts took his place in the lineup and at second base.

Solarte is hitting .301 with one home run and 13 RBI in 73 at-bats. His status remains uncertain for Tuesday's series opener against Seattle.

Recently demoted Mariners infielder Nick Franklin will be getting a crash course all over the field at Triple-A Tacoma, as the team tries to make him a more versatile player. According t MLB.com, Franklin will be playing in the outfield as well as third base at Triple-A, two positions he has only played sporadically in his career. 

Yankees infielder Yangervis Solarte snapped out of a funk Thursday, with a big game in a 14-5 win over the Red Sox.

Solarte went 2 for 5 in the game and drove in a career-high four runs in the game. He brought two in with a second-inning double, and added a two-run single in the seventh. He also scored twice and waked once in the win.

Solarte has been a pleasant surprise for the Yankees, batting .310/.395/.465 through the first 20 games of his big-league career.  

White Sox Gordon Beckham came off the disabled list Thursday after overcoming an oblique injury, and was in the starting lineup for that afternoon's game against the Tigers. He was hitless in four trips to the plate, including three strikeouts, as the White Sox fell 7-4.

After the game, manager Robin Ventura told MLB.com Beckham will be his starter at second base moving forward, despite solid play from Marcus Semien in his place.

"You don't lose that spot just because you're hurt," Ventura said. "So we expect [Beckham] to be in there."

What was expected is now offial: Mariners second baseman Nick Franklin has been optioned to Triple-A Tacoma. The team has also promoted outfielder Cole Gillespie from the same team.

White Sox second baseman Gordon Beckham was activated from the disabled list Thursday and placed in the lineup for the afternoon game in Detroit. He had been sidelined with an oblique injury.

Beckham was not in the original lineup released by the team, but his availability precipitated a change.

White Sox infielder Marcus Semien went 1 for 4 with a crucial grand slam in his team's 6-4 win over the Tigers Wednesday.

Semien's third home run came with the bases loaded and his team down two in the seventh inning, and neither team was able to add any more runs in the game. He has hit .234/.280/.394 with three home runs, 13 RBI and two stolen bases in 94 at-bats.