MLB Player News

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.

Polanco (suspension, finger) took swings against rehabbing teammate Ervin Santana on Friday, Phil Miller of the Minneapolis Star Tribune reports.

Polanco is trying to prove he'll be ready for a return from his suspension July 2, but if he's not, he'll be placed on the disabled list. The shortstop might start a minor-league rehab assignment in the coming days. It was supposed to occur last weekend but was delayed after he slammed his finger in a car door and it became infected. He hasn't played in game action since spring training, and he'll probably serve as designated hitter before taking the field when he does return to the field. Of course, the way the Twins' lineup has performed lately, he could be reinstalled quickly onto the big-league roster. Polanco surprised last year, slashing .256/.313/.410 with 13 home runs, 74 RBI and 13 stolen bases in 133 games.

Barreto combined to go 2-for-8 in Friday's doubleheader but recorded two three-run home runs and scored two runs in the first game.

He went 0-for-4 in the nightcap, but in the opener of the twin bill, Barreto hit three-run blasts in the second (off James Shields) and eighth innings (off Luis Avilan) after hitting his first shot of 2018 on Wednesday. He's disappointed in the early part of his MLB career (.189/.240/.344 in his first 96 plate appearances), and questions remain about how his hit tool and power potential will eventually develop, but the Athletics are giving him a run in the starting lineup to get a better look.

Altuve hit two solo home runs in a 3-for-4 game Wednesday against the Rays.

Apparently Altuve's first day off of the season Tuesday did him some good. The only aspect of Altuve's game that has dropped off from the past two seasons thus far in 2018 has been his power, and he's already hard at work to fix that. That said, with just seven home runs in 2018, it's unlikely he'll match his total of 24 from both 2016 and 2017.

Arroyo (oblique) completed range-of-motion and core stabilization exercises at Tropicana Field on Wednesday, Bill Chastain of MLB.com reports.

Arroyo hit the disabled list Saturday with a left oblique strain, and this appears to be the first official report of him resuming any type of physical activity. The 23-year-old was slashing a solid .264/.339/.396 across 59 plate appearances prior to his injury, and it's unknown if his DL stay will extend beyond the minimum 10 days.

Semien went 2-for-5 with a pair of doubles, a walk, one RBI and a run scored in Wednesday's win over the Padres.

With the game already comfortably in hand and the Athletics leading by 10 in the ninth inning, Semien came through with a run-scoring double to collect his 29th RBI on the year. The 27-year-old is hitting just .221 in June, but he seems to be turning a corner of late. He's now riding a five-game hitting streak, clubbing a pair of home runs and three triples in that span.

Barreto went 2-for-5 with a home run, three RBI and two runs scored in Wednesday's win over the Padres.

It was a home run barrage for the Oakland offense, as Barreto's three-run blast in the second inning was the first of five long balls on the day. With Matt Chapman (hand) on the disabled list and Jed Lowrie sliding over to third in his stead, Barreto has started three of the last four games at second base. The 22-year-old figures to get the opportunity to continue seeing regular at-bats in the near term, though he's slashing just .158/.200/.316 even after Wednesday's multi-hit showing.

Joseph was optioned to Triple-A Norfolk on Wednesday.

Joseph will head back to the minors to free up a roster spot for Wednesday's starter, Andrew Cashner, who was activated from the disabled list. The Orioles are set to play their next five games in National League ballparks and thus feel comfortable moving forward with a five-man bench, leaving Joseph as the odd man out. In four appearances for the Orioles, Joseph went 1-for-9 with a walk and RBI.

Andrus went 1-for-5 in Tuesday's 4-1 win over the Royals.

Andrus has appeared in both games since being activated off the disabled list, going 1-for-8 with two walks and a run scored. He missed 59 games with an elbow injury and didn't hit well during his rehabilitation stint (1-for-24), so it may take him a few more games to get his timing back at the plate.

Torres went 2-for-4 with a solo home run during Tuesday's 7-2 win over the Mariners.

Torres had been struggling a bit to begin June with a .211 average and .718 OPS while striking out 19 times in 57 at-bats entering Tuesday. The 21-year-old still has a .291/.346/.566 slash line through 175 at-bats in his rookie year.