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Tony Kemp 2B | MIN
Athletics' Tony Kemp: Hot bat since return
Kemp went 3-for-5 with a double and two runs in a win over the Rangers on Friday and is 4-for-8 overall in his first two contests since returning from a one-game absence due to a wrist injury.
Kemp commemorated his return in Thursday's win over the White Sox by lacing an RBI triple -- his third three-bagger of the campaign -- to open the scoring against Chicago. Factoring in Friday's productive outing, Kemp is now hitting .400 (14-for-35) with two doubles, Thursday's triple, two home runs, seven RBI and five runs across his last 10 games.
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Luis Urias 2B | TOR
Brewers' Luis Urias: Hits go-ahead homer
Urias went 2-for-4 with a two-run home run, a double and an additional run scored in Friday's 10-3 win over Cleveland.
The 24-year-old committed two errors in the first inning, which contributed to Cleveland taking an early lead. Urias made up for it with his fourth-inning go-ahead blast, and he scored again on a Lorenzo Cain grand slam in the fifth. Through his last 11 games, Urias is 13-for-39 (.333) with three long balls, three doubles, seven RBI and seven runs scored. The infielder's surge has lifted his season slash line to .251/.340/.452 with 20 homers, 64 RBI, 70 runs scored and five stolen bases in 499 plate appearances.
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Jonathan Arauz 3B | LAD
Red Sox's Jonathan Arauz: Placed on COVID-19 injured list
Arauz was placed on the COVID-19 injured list Friday, Chris Cotillo of The Springfield Republican reports.
Arauz was initially sent to Triple-A Worcester on Friday, but he'll instead land on the COVID-19 IL. The team is calling the move precautionary since the 23-year-old is experiencing symptoms but has continued to test negative. Once Arauz is activated, it wouldn't be surprising to see him sent down.
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Gavin Lux SS | TB
Dodgers' Gavin Lux: Starting in left field
Lux is starting in left field in Friday's game against the Padres, Bill Shaikin of the Los Angeles Times reports.
Lux's path toward playing time in the infield is limited behind Trea Turner, Corey Seager and Justin Turner, but he'll make his third career start in the outfield to give Cody Bellinger a breather amid his 0-for-23 slump. If Bellinger continues to struggle at the plate, Lux will likely be in line for increased at-bats in the outfield.
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Jonathan Arauz 3B | LAD
Red Sox's Jonathan Arauz: Sent down Friday
Arauz was optioned to Triple-A Worcester on Friday, Chris Cotillo of The Springfield Republican reports.
Arauz had started each of the last nine games for the Red Sox, but he'll head back to the minors after Xander Bogaerts (illness) was reinstated from the COVID-19 injured list Friday. The 23-year-old hit .167 with three home runs, two doubles, seven runs and six RBI in 12 games while filling in for the Red Sox during their recent COVID-19 outbreak.
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Luis Arraez 2B | PHI
Twins' Luis Arraez: Sits against southpaw
Arraez isn't starting Friday's game against the Royals.
Arraez went 2-for-12 with a triple, an RBI and a walk across the last three games, but he'll head to the bench with left-hander Daniel Lynch starting for the Royals. Josh Donaldson will start at third base while Rob Refsnyder enters the lineup in left field.
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Brendan Rodgers 2B | BOS
Rockies' Brendan Rodgers: Takes seat Friday
Rodgers is not in the starting lineup for Friday's game against the Phillies.
Rodgers enters the weekend having gone 5-for-18 with two doubles and a run scored across the past four games. He'll get his first breather of the month as Ryan McMahon shifts to the keystone and Colton Welker mans third base Friday.
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Taylor Motter 2B | STL
Red Sox's Taylor Motter: Clears waivers
Motter was outrighted to Triple-A Worcester after clearing waivers Friday.
Motter lost his spot on the 40-man roster earlier in the week after Danny Santana and Enrique Hernandez returned from the COVID-19 injured list. The infielder didn't garner any takers on the waiver wire, so he'll remain in the Boston organization at Triple-A going forward. Motter has appeared in 16 big-league games with the Red Sox and Rockies this season, logging five hits (two XBH), one RBI and five runs scored across 29 plate appearances.
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Luis Garcia 1B | NYY
Nationals' Luis Garcia: Pops fourth homer
Garcia went 2-for-5 with a double, a solo home run and an additional run scored in Thursday's loss to Atlanta.
Garcia is quietly putting together a nice little stretch as the regular second baseman for Washington; he's now 14-for-44 with nine extra-base hits (seven doubles, one triple, one homer) in his last 10 games. He's not much of a stolen-base threat, but it's nice to see Garcia enjoy some big-league success after his initial struggles upon breaking in at age 20.