MLB Player News

Kemp started in left field and went 0-for-3 win a 4-3 win over the Rangers on Friday.

Astros manager AJ Hinch gave Michael Brantley and Josh Reddick the night off against Texas left-hander Mike Minor, so Kemp and Jake Marisnick slotted into the starting lineup. For Kemp, it was just his second start in the nine games since the All-Star break.

Diaz went 1-for-4 with a home run and a walk Friday in Triple-A New Orleans' 6-5 win over Round Rock in 10 innings.

With a 134 wRC+, Diaz has been one of the Pacific Coast League's standout performers throughout the season, but his work at the plate of late has been particularly impressive. Over his last 10 games, Diaz is batting .386 with four home runs, two stolen bases and a 4:9 BB:K. The 23-year-old has played exclusively at second base this season, but the Marlins could have Diaz begin taking reps at third in an effort to increase his versatility ahead of his promotion to the big leagues. Until that happens, however, a Starlin Castro trade or injury may represent the only path for Diaz to receive his first callup.

Semien went 3-for-4 with a walk, a double, a triple, a solo home run, a second run scored and a stolen base in Friday's 5-3 win over the Twins.

If you believe the old bromide "a walk's as good as a hit", then Semien should get credit for a cycle, but instead the shortstop will have to settle for an extremely productive night. He's now slashing .273/.350/.464 -- career highs in all three categories -- with 15 homers, five steals, 50 RBI and 68 runs through 99 games.

Lowe (lower leg) may only need one or two rehab games at High-A Charlotte before activation, Juan Toribio of MLB.com reports.

A report Thursday indicated that manager Kevin Cash had speculated Lowe could be out through next Wednesday, and this latest news more or less lines up with that timeline. Lowe isn't yet ready to head to a rehab assignment, as he's still in the process of building up his workload. "We're still waiting on a couple of other things to work [themselves] out, but each day we're doing more and more stuff," Lowe said. "I'm feeling really good right now, so hopefully it's not much longer."

Merrifield went 2-for-5 with a triple, a double, three RBI and a run scored Friday against the Indians.

Merrifield did his part in this one, clearing the bases with a triple in the sixth inning to cut his team's deficit to just one run, but the Indians would eventually cruise to a 10-5 victory in the series opener. The 30-year-old has hit safely in nine of his last 10 contests, boosting his batting average from .307 to .313 over that stretch.

Urias will be recalled from Triple-A El Paso prior to Saturday's game against the Cubs, Kevin Acee of The San Diego Union-Tribune reports.

Urias struggled with the Padres earlier this season, slashing .083/.241/.125 over 11 games, but he's in line for another chance with the big-league club. San Diego has yet to announce a corresponding move.

Guillorme was optioned to Triple-A Syracuse on Friday, Tim Healey of Newsday reports.

Guillorme is just 1-for-4 since being promoted July 2, and with the Mets in need of fresh arms following Thursday night's 16-inning affair, he'll head back down to Triple-A. Tyler Bashlor and Stephen Nogosek were recalled in corresponding moves.

Barreto sits for the third straight game Friday against the Twins.

Barreto owns an awful .152/.176/.364 slash line in 10 games so far this season, so it's hardly surprising to see him lose his temporary starting job. Jurickson Profar appears to be back in as the primary second baseman.

Despite the fact Lowe (lower leg) continues to make progress, he could remain out through next Wednesday, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Lowe experienced significant bruising from the ball he fouled off his leg back on July 2 that led to his placement on the injured list. While that's naturally subsided a significant amount, the severity of it was such that it appears increasingly unlikely he returns at any point this weekend. The possibility Lowe's absence extends all the way through the middle of next week came directly from manager Kevin Cash, leaving Lowe's fantasy managers hanging in the balance for the time being.

Castro went 2-for-4 with a two-run home run in Thursday's 6-3 loss to the Indians.

In a tough season offensively for the Tigers, Castro has been a bright spot, as he's now batting .317 with a .783 OPS. The 25-year-old has just two home runs in 126 at-bats, so power isn't a huge part of his game, but his ability to get on base has been a welcome sight in Detroit. Expect Castro to keep getting regular playing time as long as he hits.