MLB Player News

Semien went 2-for-4 with a run in a loss to the Blue Jays on Friday and now has five multi-hit efforts in his last nine games.

Semien is a career .251 hitter, even when factoring in his .325 average through 95 plate appearances thus far this season. Therefore, skepticism persists that he'll be able to keep up anything close to his current pace, but the shortstop isn't yet showing any signs of a downturn. A look at Semien's peripheral stats reveals that a combination of improved plate discipline and a corresponding spike in contact rate have led to his stellar numbers in the early going. Both Semien's 11.6 percent walk rate and 86.7 percent contact rate are easily career highs and will naturally be pivotal to disproving the notion that his current numbers are simply outliers.

Frazier (back) remains out of the lineup Saturday against San Francisco.

Frazier sat Friday due to back spasms, an issue which will keep him from the lineup for at least one more game. Pablo Reyes will start at second base for the second straight contest.

Frazier missed Friday's game due to back spasms, 93.7 The Fan in Pittsburgh reports.

The issue isn't thought to be serious, but the Bucs went with Pablo Reyes at second base. Frazier is slashing .274/.366/.403 with one homer and two stolen bases in 62 at-bats.

Drury went 1-for-4 with a solo home run in Friday's win over the A's.

Drury has been really struggling this season, batting .147/.194/.250 with a strikeout rate pushing 40 percent. It's nice to see him get on the board with his first long ball of the year, but Drury's playing-time outlook moving forward is murky with Vlad Guerrero Jr.'s arrival seemingly imminent. Second base is a possibility, although Drury hasn't really played the position much at all over the past two seasons.

Altuve went 2-for-5 with a home run and three RBI in Friday's 7-2 win over the Rangers.

He went back-to-back with Alex Bregman in the first inning, giving Justin Verlander all the offense he would need. Altuve now has eight homers in 19 games to begin 2019 after smacking only 13 all of last year, but that power display has come at a price -- the 28-year-old has only stolen one base in two attempts so far.

Lowe went 1-for-4 with a solo home run in a 6-4 loss to the Red Sox on Friday.

He's been a bit inconsistent, but Lowe has four multi-hit games since April 9. During that stretch, he also has six extra-base hits, including four homers. In large part because of this hot streak, Lowe is slashing .275/.329/.594 with six home runs, 14 RBI and 11 runs in 69 at-bats this season.

Marte went 2-for-4 with a double and an RBI in Friday's loss to the Cubs.

Marte attempted to lead a rally in the ninth inning by doubling home a run, but the Diamondbacks would fall 5-1 in the series opener. The 25-year-old has been impressive at the dish through 19 games this season and is hitting .250 with four homers, 15 RBI and two stolen bases.

Hernandez is not in Friday's starting lineup against the Brewers, Jorge Castillo of the Los Angeles Times reports.

The Dodgers will shift Max Muncy to second base for the second game of the series, which in turn sends Hernandez to the bench. He's struggled at the dish of late, collecting just two hits in his last 14 at-bats, so a night off could be just what the utility man needs to turn around his approach at the plate.

Frazier is out of the lineup for Friday's game against the Giants.

The 27-year-old will head to the bench with left-hander Madison Bumgarner taking the mound for the Giants. Frazier started the last nine games at second base and is out of the lineup for only the second time this season. Pablo Reyes will start at second base and bat sixth in his absence.

Gimenez went 3-for-4 with a walk, two doubles, a solo home run and a second run scored for Double-A Binghamton on Thursday.

The 20-year-old has had a sluggish start to the season, and even after this monster performance he still only sports a .229/.289/.457 slash line through eight games. Gimenez played 37 games at Double-A last year, but the Mets' No. 3 fantasy prospect doesn't appear poised for a quick promotion, and the organization has little reason to rush him up the ladder. His carrying tools offensively have been his speed and ability to make contact, but if Gimenez can add some useful power to his profile as well, he becomes a much more intriguing target in formats that only roster a limited number of minor leaguers.