MLB Player News

Fontana was recalled from Triple-A Salt Lake on Wednesday, Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic reports.

Fontana will join the Angels in Boston, marking his third cup of coffee with the team this season. The infielder has played in eight games, going 1-for-11 with a solo home run during his brief opportunity in the big leagues. Look for him to supply a little additional depth moving forward, though it's highly unlikely that he will make much of an impact.

Semien is out of the starting lineup against the Tigers on Wednesday, Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.

Semien will receive a breather following 22 straight starts, including a 1-for-4 showing with one run scored during Oakland's comeback victory Tuesday. In his place, Franklin Barreto will start at shortstop and bat eighth.

Lowe went 3-for-4 with a home run, double, walk and five RBI for Triple-A Durham in its 6-4 win over Charlotte on Tuesday.

The RBI total was a career-best for Lowe, who has been sizzling out of the gate for Durham since earning a promotion from Double-A Montgomery earlier this month. The 2015 third-round pick has blasted six home runs over his last six games and has racked up 11 extra-base hits in total across just 72 plate appearances with the affiliate. His 14 combined long balls between the two levels already surpass his previous single-season best of 11, which he tallied in 2017.

Polanco is 2-for-6 with a home run in his first two rehab games for High-A Fort Myers. He could return from his 80-game steroid suspension as soon as July 2, the St. Paul Pioneer Press reports.

Polanco's rehab assignment started later than expected due to a finger injury, so the Twins may place him on the DL when his suspension ends and keep him in the minors longer than July 2. However, the Twins haven't made their plans clear and a good showing a Low-A could convince Minnesota to activate him right away.

Barreto went 2-for-4 with a game-tying RBI double in a win over the Tigers on Monday. He is now hitting .333 (8-for-24) with two doubles, three home runs, 10 RBI and five runs over his last six games.

It's a particularly welcome stretch of success at the plate for Barreto, who'd slashed just .197/.250/.352 in his initial big-league cup of coffee in 2017, and who'd gone 1-for-14 over the first six games in which he'd logged an at-bat with the Athletics this season. The 22-year-old has a long way to go in terms of plate discipline, however, as he's drawn just one walk while already striking out 13 times over his first 39 plate appearances.

Merrifield is not in the lineup for Sunday's game against the Astros, Maria Torres of The Kansas City Star reports.

This was described as a rest day by Torres -- nothing to suggest the left knee is still an issue. Merrifield hasn't homered since May 14 and is well off his power pace from a season ago, but he continues to hit for average and run, with his 16 steals ranking second in the American League. Adalberto Mondesi will get the start at second base in Merrifield's absence Sunday as Rosell Herrera leads off.

Andrus is not in the lineup for Sunday's game against the Twins.

It seems the Rangers are just being cautious and easing Andrus back into regular action coming off the lengthy disabled list stint. He's 2-for-21 in five games out of the two hole since his reinstatement, but he's also walked three times. Jurickson Profar will step in at shortstop in the series finale.

Torres is not in the lineup against the Rays on Saturday, Mike Mazzeo of the New York Daily News reports.

Torres will receive a rare day off following 18 straight starts as Neil Walker draws the assignment at second base. Over that 18-game span, Torres is hitting .222 with a .782 OPS. Expect him back in the starting lineup for Sunday's series finale.

Polanco (suspension, finger) will embark on a rehab assignment with High-A Fort Myers on Sunday, Rhett Bollinger of MLB.com reports.

Polanco will serve as the team's designated hitter during Sunday's game and then take cuts off Ervin Santana (finger) yet again during the Miracle's scheduled off day Monday. If all goes well, Polanco will then start at shortstop Tuesday with Fort Myers. Polanco will need to be activated from his suspension July 2 or he will have to land on the disabled list.

Rodriguez was optioned to Triple-A Toledo on Friday, Evan Woodbery of MLive.com reports.

The 26-year-old hopped back on the outgoing shuttle after serving as depth with the big club. Rodriguez is just 3-for-23 in 10 games with the Tigers but may return to try improving on that later in the season.