MLB Player News

Kemp signed a one-year, $1.05 million contract with the Athletics on Tuesday to avoid arbitration, Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.

The 29-year-old was acquired by Oakland during last offseason and had a .247/.363/.301 slash line with five doubles and three stolen bases in 49 games (114 plate appearances) during the shortened season. Kemp unsurprisingly saw most of his time at second base, though he also played some left field and served as the designated hitter. Barring any outside additions, he could enter spring training as the favorite to start at second base on the strong side of a platoon.

Andrus will be a utility infielder in 2021, Levi Weaver of The Athletic reports.

Isiah Kiner-Falefa will be the starting shortstop, moving Andrus to a bench role. The 32-year-old had been the Rangers' everyday shortstop for over a decade, so this is a big changing of the guard. He ended the 2020 season on the shelf with a back strain, finishing with a .194/.252/.330 slash line with three home runs and three steals in 29 games.

Dominican Winter League club Leones del Escogido announced Monday that Rengifo (hamstring) will be included on the team's roster.

Rengifo finished the 2020 campaign on the 10-day injured list after suffering a right hamstring strain in late September, but the fact that he's on a winter ball roster implies that he's back to full strength. Unless the Angels bring in a replacement for free agent Andrelton Simmons this offseason, Rengifo and David Fletcher tentatively slot in as Los Angeles' projected regulars in the middle infield in 2021.

Clement was added to Cleveland's 40-man roster Friday.

Clement advanced to Triple-A Columbus in 2019, and he spent the 2020 season at the alternate training site as part of the 60-man roster. He'll now be protected from the Rule 5 draft and could contend for a major-league roster spot in 2021.

Bannon's contract was purchased by the Orioles on Friday, Joe Trezza of MLB.com reports.

Given that he played 20 games at Triple-A in 2019 and spent this past summer at the alternate training site, Bannon is essentially big-league ready. He could compete for a bench infielder role in spring training and could eventually earn playing time at second base or third base.

Wong signed a minor-league contract with the Angels on Thursday, Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic reports.

The contract also includes an invitation to big-league spring training. Wong made his big-league debut in 2019, appearing in seven games for the Rays and Angels, but he wasn't able to earn any playing time with the Giants last season. He'll try to earn a bench spot in camp next spring.

Lowe went 2-for-5 with two home runs and three RBI overall in a win over the Dodgers in Game 2 of the World Series on Wednesday.

Lowe hit a solo homer in the first inning off Tony Gonsolin to open the scoring on the night, and he went on to smash a two-run blast in the fifth inning off Dustin May as well. Lowe's heroics Wednesday night helped the Rays even the series at one apiece, and his first inning run moved Tampa Bay to an MLB-best 32-7 when scoring first this season and postseason.

Altuve went 2-for-3 with two walks, a double, two runs and an RBI in Game 6 of the ALCS.

Altuve played a key role in a four-run fifth inning for the Astros, clubbing an RBI double and also coming around to score. Despite some defensive problems, Altuve has had a resurgence at the plate this postseason. In 12 games and 56 plate appearances, he's hitting .364/.500/.750 with five home runs, 11 RBI and 10 runs scored.

Lowe went 1-for-5 with a solo homer in the Rays' Game 5 loss to the Astros on Thursday.

Tampa Bay's home-run leader during the regular season, Lowe had gone 41 at-bats without an extra-base hit to begin the playoffs. Lowe is finally off the schneid, though it's not out of the question he sits in favor of Mike Brosseau on Friday with lefty Framber Valdez starting for Houston.

Altuve went 2-for-4 with a homer and a pair of RBI in Wednesday's ALCS Game 4 win over the Rays.

Altuve's sudden throwing issues have been the primary storyline surrounding him this postseason, though his bat has been just fine. He didn't make an error in this one, and his pair of RBI proved crucial in his team's 4-3 win. He opened the scoring with a solo shot off Tyler Glasnow in the bottom of the first and added another run two innings later on an RBI double. His five homers thus far in the playoffs already match his total from the regular season.