MLB Player News

Kemp went 3-for-5 with a triple, two stolen bases and three runs in a win over the Astros on Saturday.

The veteran put together a textbook leadoff effort, serving as a constant thorn in the side of Astros pitching throughout the game. Kemp scored both the first and final runs of the game for Oakland, and he also crossed the plate on Seth Brown's critical three-run home run in the fifth inning that gave Oakland a 6-4 lead. The three runs pushed him to a new career high of 55, while the pair of key thefts boosted his total in that category to 10, also a new high-water mark. Kemp now has a trio of multi-hit efforts in his last seven games alone, a span during which he's posted a .346 average and a 1.164 OPS.

Diaz is starting at first base and batting seventh in his big-league debut Sunday against the Astros.

Diaz will have the platoon advantage Sunday, but he'll also be facing Framber Valdez, who has been one of the most dominant starters in the league in the second half. Diaz, one of Oakland's best hitting prospects, figures to see time at first base, designated hitter, second base and third base while playing regularly over the rest of the season. He hit .326/.366/.515 with 19 home runs in 120 games between Double-A and Triple-A.

Arroyo is in Sunday's starting lineup at first base and batting sixth.

This will be Arroyo's fifth consecutive start, with two of those coming at first base and three others at second base, as Trevor Story (heel) hasn't played since Tuesday. Yu Chang starts in place of Story at second Sunday.

Rosario went 8-for-13 with a home run, six RBI and a stolen base as the Guardians swept Saturday's doubleheader against the Twins.

Rosario recorded four hits in each contest, though he had eight at-bats to do so in the 15-inning nightcap. The shortstop nonetheless played a key role in that contest, with a game-tying RBI single in the 13th inning before forcing an error that allowed the Guardians to walk it off in the 15th. With the monster stat line Saturday, he's up to a .283/.314/.403 slash line through 138 contests this year. He's added 10 homers, 14 steals, 64 RBI and 76 runs scored, and he's batting .284 in September as he continues to be a consistent presence in the No. 2 spot in the order.

Th Athletics plan to call up Diaz from Triple-A Las Vegas on Saturday, Daniel Alvarez-Montes of El Extrabase reports.

The 21-year-old infielder/designated hitter hit .326/.366/.515 with 19 home runs and 76 strikeouts in 120 games between Double-A and Triple-A. Diaz has primarily played designated hitter while also playing a handful of games at first, second and third base this year at Triple-A. He's not included in the lineup for Saturday's game in Houston.

Gimenez isn't starting the second game of Saturday's doubleheader against the Twins.

Gimenez was productive during the first game of the twin bill, going 2-for-3 with a double, a run and a walk. He'll get a breather while Owen Miller starts at the keystone and bats sixth.

Arraez isn't starting the second game of Saturday's doubleheader against the Guardians.

Arraez served as the designated hitter and led off during Saturday's matinee, but he went 0-for-4 in the 5-1 loss. He'll get a breather while Carlos Correa serves as the designated hitter and bats second in Game 2.

Polanco was removed from Friday's rehab start at Triple-A St. Paul due to knee discomfort, Betsy Helfand of the St. Paul Pioneer Press reports.

Polanco began his rehab assignment Friday, but it's discouraging that he was unable to make it through the game at St. Paul. He's slated to have an active recovery day and receive treatment Saturday, and a better idea of his status should come into focus based on how he feels afterward.

Lopez isn't starting Saturday against the Red Sox.

Lopez went 0-for-6 with a strikeout over the last two matchups and will head to the bench for the third time in the last six games. Bobby Witt is starting at shortstop and batting second.

Rengifo went 3-for-5 with two home runs, four RBI and three runs scored in Friday's 8-7 win over the Mariners.

Rengifo set the tone from the leadoff spot Friday, hitting a solo shot in the third inning and a three-run blast that accounted for the margin of victory in the sixth. While he hadn't homered since Aug. 29, he hit .291 in the 14 games in between long balls. The 25-year-old has emerged as a productive and versatile infield option for the Angels this year, slashing .275/.305/.443 with 13 homers, 44 RBI, 39 runs scored and six stolen bases through a career-high 109 games.