MLB Player News

Semien went 2-for-4 with a run in a win over the Dodgers on Wednesday.

Semien was back at the top of the order against southpaw Clayton Kershaw and delivered his third multi-hit effort of August. The shortstop also crossed the plate on Khris Davis' fielder's choice with what would turn out to be the winning run, ultimately being called safe when the home-plate umpire noted Yasmani Grandal failed to hold onto the ball. Semien has been consistent at the plate during the season's second half (.275/.367/.348), but he's provided just five extra-base hits (all doubles) in 80 plate appearances during that stretch.

Rengifo is hitting .298/.362/.436 with one home run, three steals and a 7:10 K:BB in 106 plate appearances with Triple-A Salt Lake.

He has walked more than he struck out at High-A, Double-A and Triple-A this season, which is a big part of why he has received two promotions this season. A switch-hitting 5-foot-10 middle infielder, Rengifo looks the part of a super-utility player, but he also has some traits that could allow him to overshoot that projection. He has 27 doubles, 10 triples, five home runs and 38 steals (on 52 attempts) this season across the top three levels of the minors, and is now the third youngest hitter in the Pacific Coast League (behind Luis Urias and Yordan Alvarez). Look for him to finish out the season at Triple-A and return to that level at the start of next season, positioning him to make his big-league debut next summer.

Torres went 1-for-3 with two walks, a strikeout and a stolen base in Wednesday's win over the White Sox.

The 21-year-old flashed decent speed in the minors, swiping over 20 bases in both 2015 and 2016, but this was just his third steal of the year. The rookie has been slumping at the plate of late, going just 6-for-36 (.167) since July 29, and that stretch has dropped him to a .274/.344/.526 slash line.

Renda will be optioned to Triple-A Pawtucket on Wednesday, Chris Cotillo of MassLive.com reports.

Rafael Devers (hamstring) will make his return from the disabled list, ending Renda's current stint in the majors. The 27-year-old served as a pinch runner and scored a run in his Red Sox debut Sunday against the Yankees, but did not have a plate appearance.

Drury hit the 10-day disabled list with a fractured left hand Tuesday.

It's more bad luck for Drury, who missed an extended period of time earlier in the season with impaired vision and migraines while with the Yankees. The severity of this issue and the possible recovery timeline are not yet clear. Richard Urena was called up to take his place on the roster.

Barreto was optioned to Triple-A Nashville on Tuesday.

Barreto will head back to the minors with Chad Pinder (elbow) back from the disabled list. The 22-year-old has shown power in his series of short stints with the Athletics this season, hitting four homers in 63 plate appearances, but his plate discipline is worrisome, as he's striking out 39.7 percent of the time and has walked just once.

Kemp is not in the lineup for Tuesday's game against the Giants.

Kemp will head to the bench against left-hander Madison Bumgarner after starting seven of the team's last eight games in the outfield. The Astros will deploy an outfield consisting of Marwin Gonzalez, Jake Marisnick and Josh Reddick (from left to right) in his absence.

Astros team doctors are "very pleased" with Altuve's progress from a right knee injury, Chandler Rome of the Houston Chronicle reports.

Altuve returned to Houston to visit with the team's medical staff Monday. "We have a really good plan in place," manager A.J. Hinch said. "He is making the progress that the doctors are happy with. We'll try to initiate more baseball stuff this weekend." If he begins baseball activities this weekend, a return to the active roster could happen as soon as next week. Altuve has been on the disabled list since July 26 with soreness in the knee.

Jones went 2-for-5 with a home run, double and five RBI for Double-A Mobile in its 10-1 win over Birmingham on Sunday.

Jones has turned in multi-hit performances in four of his last five starts with Mobile, lifting his batting line to .257/.353/.406 through his first 25 games in the Southern League. The 21-year-old has unsurprisingly seen his numbers take a slight hit from 2017 while facing off against higher-caliber competition, but he's thus far received high praise from within the organization for the transition he has made defensively from the outfield to second base.

The Blue Jays outrighted Sweeney to Triple-A Buffalo on Sunday.

As anticipated, Sweeney went unclaimed off waivers when he was designated for assignment last week and will remain in the Blue Jays' system as a depth outfielder in the minors. Sweeney has seen action in two games with the big club this season, marking his first appearances in the majors since the 2015 campaign.