MLB Player News
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Tony Kemp 2B | MIN
Astros' Tony Kemp: Hitless run continues
Kemp went 0-for-3 in Thursday's 2-1 loss to Cleveland.
Kemp has gone 12 at-bats without a hit and is batting just .143 through 13 games. This was his first start in four games and second in the last eight. He's started two consecutive games just once this year -- the season's first two games -- and he'll have a hard time getting his bat going if he's not going to get consistent at-bats.
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Michael Chavis 2B | CIN
Red Sox's Michael Chavis: Slugs second homer
Chavis went 1-for-4 with a two-run home run in Thursday's game against the Tigers.
Chavis sent a ball over the wall in left during the second inning to give the Red Sox an early 2-0 lead. His power numbers have been impressive early on, as he's already launched two homers in his first six contests since joining the big-league club (18 at-bats).
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Elvis Andrus 2B | ARI
Rangers' Elvis Andrus: Back in action
Andrus (hand) is starting at shortstop and hitting third Thursday against the Mariners.
Andrus had some trouble gripping the bat after getting hit by a pitch in the hand earlier in the week, but he's apparently feeling better ahead of Thursday's series opener. The 30-year-old, who is slashing .345/.394/.540 with three homers and five stolen bases through 22 games this season, will face lefty Marco Gonzales in his return to the lineup.
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Luis Rengifo 3B | MIL
Angels' Luis Rengifo: Set for big-league debut
Rengifo was called up from Triple-A Salt Lake prior to Thursday's game against the Yankees, Mike DiGiovanna of the Los Angeles Times reports.
After excelling across three levels of the minors last season, Rengifo has only hit .240/.284/.387 with two home runs and two steals in 81 plate appearances this year, but he was nonetheless summoned to make his big-league debut. According to DiGiovanna, Rengifo will start at second base and hit ninth in Thursday's game against the Yankees. He is only 5-foot-10 but hit seven home runs last year as a 21-year-old while chipping in 41 steals. His above-average speed and aggression on the bases will be the main selling point for fantasy, at least early in his big-league career. Zack Cozart (neck) was sent to the injured list in a corresponding move.
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Christian Arroyo 2B | NYM
Rays' Christian Arroyo: Summoned to majors
Arroyo was recalled from Triple-A Durham on Thursday, Josh Tolentino of The Athletic reports.
Arroyo will provide infield depth for the Rays with Joey Wendle landing on the shelf due to a fractured right wrist. The 23-year-old infielder appeared in four games for the big club earlier in the season, going 3-for-9 with two RBI and five strikeouts.
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Brandon Lowe 2B | PIT
Rays' Brandon Lowe: Scores both runs in loss
Lowe went 2-for-4 with two runs in a loss to the Royals on Wednesday.
Lowe led off and opened the game at first base, but he shifted over to the keystone later in the game once Joey Wendle had to exit after being hit by a pitch. With Wendle back on the injured list after being diagnosed with a wrist fracture and the domino effect of Matt Duffy's (hamstring) ongoing absence also opening up playing time at first base, Lowe's everyday presence in the lineup seems all but guaranteed for the next month-plus at minimum.
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Brandon Drury 2B | KC
Blue Jays' Brandon Drury: Future role uncertain
Drury went 0-for-4 with a strikeout in Wednesday's loss to the Giants.
Vladimir Guerrero Jr. is set to make his big-league debut Friday, which means Wednesday's game might have been the last start Drury gets at third base for a while. It's unclear where the 26-year-old fits into the lineup moving forward -- he could fall into the short side of a platoon with Eric Sogard at second base -- but Drury's .179/.225/.321 and ghastly 4:33 BB:K through 22 games isn't making a strong case for consistent playing time.
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Whit Merrifield 2B | ATL
Royals' Whit Merrifield: Reaches four times
Merrifield went 2-for-3 with a solo home run, two walks and three runs in a 10-2 victory against the Rays on Wednesday.
It was the first time all season Merrifield reached base safety four times. He's been a bit hot and cold lately, but Merrifield is close to climbing back over the .300 average mark and has 11 extra-base hits in 25 games. He is hitting .298 with four home runs, 11 RBI, 19 runs and five steals in 104 at-bats.
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Marcus Semien 2B | NYM
Athletics' Marcus Semien: Cranks three-run homer
Semien went 2-for-5 with a three-run home run Wednesday against the Rangers.
Semien took Kyle Dowdy deep in the second inning to record his fourth home run of the season. While his power production has been streaky -- he's slugging .505 but this was his first home run since Apr. 24 -- he has batted primarily in the top two spots in the Athletics' order and gotten on base at a .379 clip. That's been buoyed by a 13:12 K:BB, helping him rank among the American League leaders in runs scored with 21.
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Logan Forsythe 2B | LAD
Rangers' Logan Forsythe: Homers in loss
Forsythe went 2-for-3 with a double, a home run and two runs scored in Wednesday's 6-5 loss to the Athletics.
Forsythe hustled his way into one run when he doubled, advanced to third on a flyout, and scampered home on a groundout against the drawn-in infield. He later got to trot his way around the bags after hitting his second home run of the season. The 32-year-old, who started at shortstop in place of Elvis Andrus (hand) on Wednesday, made the Rangers as a utility infielder but has started 17 of 23 games due to injuries in the infield. Andrus' injury is not considered serious, and as Rougned Odor (knee) and Ronald Guzman (hamstring) near their returns, Forsythe's days as an everyday starter will be coming to close within the week.