MLB Player News

Kemp went 1-for-4 with a stolen base in Sunday's 9-4 loss to the Rangers.

Kemp has picked up a steal in each of his last two games after going 29 contests without one. In that time, he's seen his once-steady playing time drop into more of a strong-side platoon role, and he hit just .227 during his dry spell on the basepaths. For the year, Kemp is slashing .215/.310/.308 with four home runs, 14 steals, 26 RBI and 40 runs scored over 388 plate appearances. With Zack Gelof commanding a starting role at second base, most of Kemp's playing time down the stretch will likely be in left field.

Semien went 4-for-5 with two solo home runs, a double and a third run scored in Sunday's 9-4 win over the Athletics.

This was the second time in his last four games that Semien has hit a pair of homers, though he has no other long balls over his last 15 contests. The second baseman was once again stellar from the top of the order with three extra-base hits. He's batting .368 (14-for-38) in September and .281 on the year with an .826 OPS, 24 homers, 87 RBI, 109 runs scored, 14 stolen bases and 35 doubles through 142 games.

Minnesota placed Polanco on the bereavement list Sunday.

Polanco had been slated to serve as the Twins' designated hitter Sunday against the Mets, but he has now been excused from the team for at least the next few days to deal with a private family matter. Gilberto Celestino will get the call from Triple-A St. Paul in a corresponding roster move.

Westburg (undisclosed) is not in the lineup Sunday at Boston.

Westburg was pulled from Saturday's win over the Red Sox due to general soreness, but not before going 3-for-4 with a double, a solo homer and two runs scored. He shouldn't be out long. Adam Frazier is covering second base for the Orioles on Sunday as Ramon Urias handles third.

Westburg was removed from Saturday's game versus the Red Sox with an undisclosed injury, Danielle Allentuck of TheBaltimoreBanner.com reports.

Orioles manager Brandon Hyde wouldn't divulge any details on Westburg's injury, only saying that "everyone has little things" they're dealing with at this point of the season. The skipper did say he hopes Westburg will be available to play Sunday, so whatever the rookie is dealing with doesn't seem to be a big concern. Westburg went 3-for-4 with a solo home run before exiting Saturday's contest, falling a triple shy of the cycle.

Rengifo was placed on the 10-day injured list Saturday with a biceps tendon rupture, an injury which is expected to be season-ending, Sam Blum of The Athletic reports.

The injury is poorly timed for Rengifo, who was on a tear at the plate. In his last 16 games, he slashed .443/.471/.770 with five homers. He'll finish the season with a .264/.339/.444 line, an improvement on his .264/.294/.429 performance from a year prior.

Diaz will be on the bench for Saturday's game against the Rangers.

Diaz's .239/.294/.403 slash line in 75 games this season isn't particularly impressive, and he's gone just 3-for-19 at the plate across his last six games. Kevin Smith will take over at the hot corner Saturday.

Short (forearm) will bat ninth and play shortstop Saturday against the White Sox.

Short hadn't seen the field since getting hit by a pitch Wednesday against the Yankees, though he doesn't have an everyday role at the moment, so his absence may not have been injury-related. He hasn't done much to stake a claim for more at-bats down the stretch, posting a .442 OPS in the last month and a .645 OPS on the year.

Frazier will sit Saturday against southpaw Chris Sale and the Red Sox.

Frazier has filled a strict platoon role in the second half, as the only two lefties he's started against have been openers. The Orioles have shifted Jordan Westburg to second base and inserted Jorge Mateo at shortstop against most southpaws over the last few months, and they'll go with the same setup Saturday.

Merrifield will sit Saturday against Kansas City.

Merrifield hits the bench after going 0-for-4 in each of his last four games. Davis Schneider starts at second base Saturday while Daulton Varsho starts in left field, the two spots Merrifield has split his time between this season.