MLB Player News

Semien went 2-for-4 with a solo home run and a stolen base in a 6-2 loss to the Mariners on Sunday.

After not hitting his first home run of the year until May 28, Semien is looking much more like his usual self. The veteran right-handed bat now has five home runs in July to give him 13 on the season. He also easily stole second off Chris Flexen in the bottom of the first for his 17th stolen base of the year. The number marks a new career-high. If Semien can continue to play the way he has in June and July, then he should be in line for another high-powered second half to complement his new propensity for steals.

Lowe went 4-for-4 with two doubles and a run scored in a 7-5 win Sunday over Baltimore.

Lowe doubled in his first two plate appearances against Jordan Lyles and singled in his final two trips to the plate. The 28-year-old has crushed the ball in his two games since returning from a back injury that cost him two months, going 6-for-8 with a walk and four runs scored. After amassing an .870 OPS over the past three seasons, his strong return is a great sign heading into the second half for the Rays and fantasy managers looking for Lowe to repeat his 39-homer production from a year ago.

The Royals returned Massey to Triple-A Omaha following Sunday's 4-2 loss to the Blue Jays.

Since Massey joined the Royals as a replacement for one of the 10 players who were placed on the restricted list prior to Thursday's series opener in Toronto, he won't be exposed to waivers even while he comes off the 40-man roster as he heads back to Omaha. Massey made starts in the final two contests of the Royals' four games following his call-up, going 3-for-8 at the dish.

Haggerty will start in right field and bat ninth in Sunday's game against the Rangers.

The switch-hitting Haggerty will be making his fourth start in right field in five games and may end up filling the strong side of a platoon at the position with the righty-hitting Dylan Moore, who is on the bench for the second day in a row. Through 11 games in July, Haggerty is hitting .259 with two home runs, two stolen bases, six runs and three RBI.

Haggerty entered Saturday's extra-inning win over the Rangers as a pinch runner in the top of the 10th inning, stole third base and eventually scored the game-winning run.

The speedy Haggerty's swipe of third base, his fourth steal of the year, was key, as it allowed him to score easily when J.P. Crawford laced a single into right field to snap a 2-2 tie. It's been a somewhat momentous first three games of the series for Haggerty, who also notched an inside-the-park home run as part of a three-hit night in Thursday's opening installment against the Rangers.

Andrus went 1-for-4 with a stolen base in a loss to the Astros on Saturday.

The veteran shortstop swiped his fifth bag of the season while also hitting safely for the fourth time in five games. Andrus has gotten on base at an impressive .355 clip over his last 16 games, a sample during which he's also laced six extra-base hits (three doubles, three home runs), driven in 14 runs, drawn eight walks, stolen two bases and scored nine runs.

Gimenez (foot) is starting at second base and batting fifth against the Tigers on Sunday.

Gimenez suffered a foot injury after he was hit by a pitch in Saturday's victory, but the injury appears to be minor since he's ready to go Sunday. The second baseman has gone 4-for-8 with a homer, three RBI and three runs in the first three contests of the series.

Castro will start at first base and bat fifth in Sunday's game against the Guardians.

Castro will wrap up the first half by making his fifth consecutive start, four of which have come at different positions. He went 1-for-3 with a walk in Saturday's 10-0 loss to extend his hitting streak to five contests and is now hitting .281 on the season.

Lowe (back) went 2-for-4 with a walk and three runs scored Saturday in the Rays' 6-4 extra-inning loss to the Orioles.

After missing the past two months due to a stress reaction in his lower back, Lowe returned from the 60-day injured list Saturday and slotted in as the No. 2 hitter. The 28-year-old made an immediate splash in his return, coming around to score on a pair of wild pitches and on Yandy Diaz's base hit in the 10th inning. The lefty-hitting Lowe could find himself on the bench versus left-handed pitching, but he'll likely maintain a prominent spot in the lineup against righties now that he's healthy again.

Clement has gone 7-for-22 (.318) through nine games in July.

Clement hit safely in five straight games before going 0-for-1 off the bench against the Tigers on Saturday. Andres Gimenez (foot) left the contest in the fifth inning, and if he misses time, Clement could see a corresponding uptick in opportunities. The 26-year-old utility man is slashing just .211/.271/.234 with five RBI, 14 runs scored and three doubles through 141 plate appearances. Owen Miller could also pick up time at the keystone, which makes it unclear if Clement will see that much of a boost if Gimenez if out beyond the All-Star break.