MLB Player News

Forsythe left Saturday's contest in the fourth inning due to a bout of right hamstring tightness, Ken Gurnick of MLB.com reports.

His removal from the game seemed a little fishy considering he was already 3-for-3 on the evening, but a sore hamstring is a good explanation for the early exit. At this point, it seems like more of a precautionary measure than anything, but manager Dave Roberts still intends to keep him out of Sunday's contest with Arizona, per Gurnick. Forsythe's status moving forward should become clearer in the coming days.

Semien (wrist) was diagnosed with a bone contusion in his right wrist and will receive a CT scan Monday, John Shea of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.

Semien was held out of Saturday's lineup after the ailing wrist was reportedly inhibiting him during Friday's contest, but it seems like a bigger problem has been avoided at this time. The CT scan may reveal more, but for the time being Semien should be considered day-to-day. Adam Rosales could pick up some extra playing time in his stead.

Semien has been dealing with an injury to his right wrist and will undergo an MRI on Saturday, Joe Stiglich of NBC Sports reports.

Manager Bob Melvin says the ailment has been nagging Semien while hitting and hindered his throwing during Friday's loss. The injury could serve as an explanation for a rough start at the plate this season, the shortstop is hitting just .171 with 11 strikeouts over 11 games. The team can only hope it's nothing serious, but if Semien is forced to miss extended time, backup Adam Rosales will be in line for increased playing time.

Semien is not in the Athletics' starting lineup Saturday against the Astros.

The day off comes in the midst of a rough start for Semien. The 26-year-old shortstop is hitting just .171 with 11 strikeouts over the first 11 games, serving as a black hole at the top of the order. On the bright side, he's been able to get on base, drawing 10 walks thus far. Adam Rosales fills his spot Saturday,

Semien went 1-for-2 with a double and two walks in a 7-2 loss to the Astros on Friday.

Semien continues to operate out of the leadoff spot, and Friday's production boosted his OBP to .370. The 26-year-old has been able to find his way on base by flashing the improved patience at the plate he'd vowed to demonstrate this season. Semien has already walked 10 times over 11 games and has notched four steals in as many attempts, despite the fact that his average sits at an unsightly .171 through his first 46 plate appearances. With a career-high 27 homers last season, it would also seem to be just a matter of time before Semien's power kicks in and he begins to work himself out of the early-season struggles he's encountered.

Herrera is hitting .188/.235/.313 with one home run, one double and a 2:7 BB:K in 32 at-bats for Triple-A Louisville.

He missed the first game of the year with a shoulder injury, but is back manning the keystone for the Bats. Herrera will likely need an injury at the big-league level to see a promotion, especially if he isn't forcing the issue.

Frazier is starting at shortstop and leading off Saturday against the Cubs.

Frazier has never played shortstop in the big leagues before, and last played the position a couple times in 2016 in the minors, though it was his primary position in 2014. While he is a good bet to get on base at least once out of the leadoff spot against righty Jake Arrieta, his lack of power caps his realistic ceiling in daily leagues. If Frazier can prove to be a competent defender at shortstop, he could start to cut into Jordy Mercer's playing time a little, as Frazier is the superior hitter.

Andrus went 2-for-4 with his second stolen base of the season in Friday's 2-1 loss to the Mariners.

Felix Hernandez and the Mariners bullpen did an exceptional job in limiting the potent Rangers offense in the series opener, but Andrus was still able to maintain his hot start to begin the season. It's the fourth two-hit game in a row for the shortstop, who has shown some heretofore unseen pop in the process. Eight of his 14 hits this season have gone for extra bases, including three home runs, putting him just five off the career-high eight long balls he slugged in 2017.

Altuve went 3-for-3 with two walks, two doubles and two runs scored in Friday's 7-2 win over Oakland.

Altuve is scorching right now, having reached base 11 straight times. After opening the season 4-for-25 with eight strikeouts and one walk, the 26-year-old second baseman is 10-for-18 with only one strikeout and seven walks over his last five games. As Brian McTaggart of the Astros' official site reports, Statcast indicates Altuve is making more of an effort to use the opposite field. Both of his doubles Friday went to right field and 41.2 percent of his batted balls are going the opposite way, including nine of his 14 hits (64.3 percent).

Merrifield is hitting .364/.400/.864 through 22 at-bats over six games with Triple-A Omaha.

One of the more surprising decisions across all of MLB this spring was the Royals choice to roster Raul Mondesi over Merrifield. The former is currently slashing .148/.179/.259 through 30 plate appearances in the big leagues while the latter tears up minor-league pitchers. It's tough to gauge where the organization stands on this one considering Merrifield would likely improve the Royals offense, but Mondesi is a big part of the club's future plans. If Merrifield continues to destroy Triple-A arms, the team might have no choice but to bring him up and find a place for the 28-year-old to play.