MLB Player News
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Brandon Drury 2B | KC
Blue Jays' Brandon Drury: Starting third straight
Drury is in the lineup for the third straight game Friday against the White Sox, batting seventh and playing right field.
Drury has had a fairly regular role for the Blue Jays throughout the season despite hitting .207/.246/.378. He should continue to have opportunities in the near future, particularly in right field, after Teoscar Hernandez was optioned Thursday.
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Luis Arraez 2B | SF
Twins' Luis Arraez: Set for debut
Arraez was called up by the Twins on Friday, Phil Miller of the Star Tribune reports.
Arraez opened the season with Double-A Pensacola, hitting .342/.415/.397 in 38 games, with more walks (18) than strikeouts (13). He reached Triple-A for the first time Tuesday and will be promoted again after just three days at that level, with Nelson Cruz (wrist) expected to head to the injured list in a corresponding move. Arraez, who has played second, third, short and left field, doesn't have much in the way of tools other than his ability to make contact, but that skill is strong enough that he could have some fantasy value if he finds regular playing time.
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Marcus Semien 2B | NYM
Athletics' Marcus Semien: Records three-run homer
Semien went 1-for-6 with a three-run homer and two runs scored Thursday against the Tigers.
Semien took Blaine Hardy deep in the seventh inning for his fifth home run of the season. The long ball marked his first homer since April 24, and he's struggled to make much solid contact in May as he is just 10-for-55 in the month. More positively, he has managed to steal two bases in his past 10 games despite getting on base sparingly.
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Luis Rengifo 3B | MIL
Angels' Luis Rengifo: Sent back to minors
Rengifo was optioned to Triple-A Salt Lake following Wednesday's game against the Twins.
Rengifo's most recent stint with the Angels lasted just two days, corresponding with Kole Calhoun's stay on the paternity list. The youngster went 0-for-7 with a 2:3 BB:K in a pair of appearances during his time with the big club, lowering his season average to .147 through 34 at-bats (11 games).
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Gordon Beckham 2B | SEA
Tigers' Gordon Beckham: Sticking in utility role
Beckham isn't expected to see regular work at third base after the Tigers recalled Dawel Lugo from Triple-A Toledo ahead of Thursday's game against the Athletics, Jason Beck of MLB.com. "We're bringing [Lugo] up here to play, not to sit," manager Ron Gardenhire said.
Following the demotion of everyday third baseman Jeimer Candelario to Triple-A after Wednesday's loss to the Astros, Beckham temporarily topped the depth chart at third base. Though Beckham has been impressive at the plate in his limited opportunities this season with an .886 OPS, giving regular at-bats to a 32-year-old journeyman probably doesn't hold much appeal for a rebuilding Tigers club. Instead, the Tigers will see if the 25-year-old Lugo can establish himself at the major-league level after hitting .341 at Triple-A this season, albeit with little pop.
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Marcus Semien 2B | NYM
Athletics' Marcus Semien: Struggling at plate in May
Semien is hitting just .184 (9-for-49) with a double, two RBI, 10 walks and three runs across 12 May games.
The downturn for the shortstop has been swift, as he entered the month slashing an impressive .311/.388/.475 for the season. Semien's current slump has led to a 36-point drop in batting average and 77-point tumble in slugging percentage. His on-base percentage has held up much better due to Semien's solid plate discipline, which has already led to a second straight month with a double-digit walk tally. However, Semien's recent lack of pop has resulted in just a single extra-base hit in May, as well as a stretch of 18 games without a home run.
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Logan Forsythe 2B | LAD
Rangers' Logan Forsythe: Fills in for Andrus
Forsythe started at shortstop in place of the injured Elvis Andrus (hamstring) and went 2-for-3 with a walk, two doubles and two runs scored in Wednesday's 6-1 win over the Royals.
Forsythe is expected to get the bulk of starts while Andrus is on the 10-day injured list. Wednesday's effort was Forsythe's third straight multi-hit game, during which he's 7-for-11 with five doubles, a triple and two RBI. He's been a nice surprise for the Rangers, slashing .316/.414/.541 through 29 games, and represents a potential fill-in at second base if manager Chris Woodward wants to replace a disappointing Rougned Odor (.146/.221/.493).
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Michael Chavis 2B | CIN
Red Sox's Michael Chavis: Extra-inning hero
Chavis went 2-for-5 with a walkoff single in Wednesday's 6-5, extra-inning win over the Rockies.
Chavis came to bat in the 10th inning and promptly singled in Xander Bogaerts to secure the win for the Red Sox. The rookie infielder has responded to a five-game hitless run with three straight multi-hit efforts, going 7-for-15 with seven RBI in his recent hot stretch. The 23-year-old will likely run streaky at times, but he's hitting .296 with 21 RBI and 15 runs scored through 22 games this season.
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Gleyber Torres 2B | DET
Yankees' Gleyber Torres: Three homers Wednesday
Torres went 3-for-8 with three solo home runs as the Yankees swept their doubleheader with the Orioles on Wednesday.
Torres cranked a pair of long balls in a 5-3 victory in the opener of Wednesday's doubleheader before adding another to help the Yankees to a 3-1 triumph in the nightcap. He missed a game Sunday after getting hit in the elbow by a pitch, but this performance suggests he's no longer bothered by it. Torres is now slashing .290/.325/.510 with eight homers and 20 RBI through 155 at-bats.
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Elvis Andrus 2B | ARI
Rangers' Elvis Andrus: Short IL stay expected
Andrus (hamstring) is expected to return after spending the minimum 10 days on the injured list, Evan Grant of The Dallas Morning News reports.
The Rangers believe the hamstring injury that Andrus suffered while running to first base Tuesday is a minor one, and it sounds like he'll be ready to go after a brief stay on the shelf. He's eligible to be activated May 25; Logan Forsythe should operate as the team's starting shortstop until Andrus is ready to return.