MLB Player News

Semien went 2-for-3 with a double and an RBI in Wednesday's 10-1 loss to St. Louis.

Semien drove in the Rangers' lone run with a sixth-inning single. He finished off his best month of the season, batting .287/.374/.479 over 24 games during July. After serving as the team's leadoff hitter all season, Semien batted third in the order for the third consecutive game Wednesday -- all coming against right-handers. It's unclear if he'll remain the club's leadoff bat against lefties. Texas kicks off a homestand Friday against the Red Sox, who have three right-handers scheduled.

Polanco was removed from Wednesday's game due to knee issues, Shannon Drayer of SeattleSports.com reports.

Polanco went 0-for-3 with two strikeouts and a walk before Leo Rivas replaced him in the field during the eighth inning. Polanco's knee also forced him to make an early exit from Sunday's game against the White Sox, so it's possible the Mariners sit him down for a game or two as a precaution.

Holliday went 1-for-5 with a grand slam in Wednesday's 10-4 win over the Blue Jays.

Holliday certainly made the most of his first big-league homer -- the 20-year-old launched a 439-foot grand slam on a 0-2 pitch from Yerry Rodriguez, extending the Orioles lead to 8-3. While it was just the third hit for Holliday in 39 at-bats with Baltimore, he posted an .860 OPS with eight homers and seven steals in 63 games after he was sent back down to Triple-A Norfolk. With Jordan Westburg (hand) likely to join Jorge Mateo (elbow) on the injured list, Holliday should get the chance to prove himself as a regular in the majors.

Rays manager Kevin Cash said after Wednesday's 6-2 loss to the Marlins that Palacios is nursing a hyperextended right knee and is considered day-to-day, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Palacios was lifted from Wednesday's game against the Marlins after just two innings with the injury. Cash noted that the utility player will be re-evaluated Thursday before the team heads out on its road trip, but at least for the time being, Palacios looks to have avoided a serious injury.

The Rays announced that Palacios was removed after two innings in Wednesday's game against the Marlins due to right knee discomfort, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

In his lone plate appearance in the bottom of the second inning, Palacios reached base on a walk, then proceeded to steal his 19th base of the season. Palacios looked to have injured his knee while sliding into second, but he was able to stay in the game and ultimately came around to score on Jonny DeLuca's RBI triple. However, Palacios remained in the dugout when the Rays took the field for the top of the third, with Dylan Carlson coming off the bench to replace him in left field. The Rays are viewing Palacios as day-to-day, and the team should have a better feel for his status heading into this weekend's series in Houston following Thursday's team off day.

The Red Sox optioned Westbrook to Triple-A Worcester on Wednesday, Ian Browne of MLB.com reports.

Westbrook saw regular reps at second base against left-handed pitching but did little with them, going just 2-for-22 at the plate this month. Nick Sogard was called up from Triple-A Worcester and will replace Westbrook on the 26-man active roster as the short-side platoon mate for David Hamilton at the keystone.

Palacios was removed from Wednesday's game against the Marlins with an apparent lower-body injury, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports. He walked in his lone plate appearance, stole his 19th base of the season and came around to score a run before exiting the game.

Palacios appeared to hurt his knee while sliding into second base on the steal. Though he was able to stay in the game and scored on Jonny DeLuca's RBI triple, Polanco ultimately remained in the dugout when the Rays took the field for the top of the third. Dylan Carlson came off the bench to play left field in place of Palacios, who can be considered day-to-day until the Rays provide an update on his status.

Castro is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Mets.

Castro will exit the starting nine for the first time since July 10, breaking a streak of 13 consecutive starts. The versatile 27-year-old has picked up 10-plus starts at five different positions this season, but he's been seeing most of his action at second base of late following Edouard Julien's demotion to Triple-A St. Paul last week.

Gelof went 2-for-3 with a walk in a win over the Giants on Tuesday. He was also caught stealing twice.

Gelof's small-ball production stood in stark contrast to that of his teammates, as the Athletics scored all five runs off home runs. The multi-hit effort was an especially welcome sight for Gelof, who entered the night mired in a 1-for-25 slump that had encompassed his previous seven games. Gelof had last tallied multiple hits in a game July 9, and despite Tuesday's success, his average remains just below the Mendoza Line at .196 due to his recent skid. The pair of failed steal attempts were an outlier as well, considering Gelof had gone an impressive 12-for-13 in that category this season coming into Tuesday.

Baldwin is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Royals.

Baldwin will get his first day off since he was promoted from Triple-A Charlotte earlier this month. The rookie infielder has had a tough time getting going in his first taste of the majors, going 7-for-40 with a 15:2 K:BB in 12 games. Lenyn Sosa will start at second base for the White Sox on Wednesday.