MLB Player News

Massey (back) was reinstated from the 10-day injured list and is starting at second base Friday versus the Orioles,

The 26-year-old opened the season on the injured list due to a back strain but is back with the Royals after he posted a 1.123 OPS over an eight-game rehab assignment. Massey could split playing time at the keystone with veteran Adam Frazier, but both hit left-handed so a traditional platoon isn't an option. Manager Matt Quatraro is more likely to ride the hot hand between them.

Drury (hamstring) will be the designated hitter and bat fifth for Friday's game in Cincinnati.

Drury missed three games with tightness in his left hamstring, but he's ready to at least hit Friday against one of his former teams. The 31-year-old has gotten off to a slow start at the plate for the Angels this season, putting up a .570 OPS with one home run in 16 contests.

Reyes started at third base and went 0-for-4 in Thursday's 5-4 loss to Cleveland.

Reyes filled in for the injured Rafael Devers (knee) and committed a costly error that allowed one of three unearned runs to score. Reyes also couldn't get a ball out of his glove quick enough to start a 5-4-3 double, which allowed another run to score. Per Ian Browne of MLB.com, the Red Sox are hoping to avoid having to put Devers on the injured list, which suggests a fill-in will be needed for more than just Thursday's contest. Reyes and Bobby Dalbec are the primary candidates to play third base should Devers need an stint on the IL.

Semien went 3-for-6 with a solo homer, a double and an additional run scored in Thursday's 9-7 victory over Detroit.

Semien led off the afternoon with a homer off Kenta Maeda, his third longball of the year, before adding two more hits later in the contest as he wound up a triple shy of a cycle. The 33-year-old Semien has gotten off to another strong start this season while serving as Texas' primary leadoff man, slashing .286/.355/.464 with 17 RBI and 16 runs scored through his first 93 plate appearances.

Massey (back) is expected to be activated from the 10-day injured list Friday, Anne Rogers reports.

Nick Loftin was optioned to Triple-A Omaha on Thursday and Massey is expected to be activated in a corresponding move ahead of the Royals' weekend series against the Orioles. Massey has been out all season with a lower-back injury but slashed .382/.417/.706 with two home runs in eight rehab games between Omaha and Double-A Northwest Arkansas. The 26-year-old should share playing time at second base with Adam Frazier once activated.

The Royals optioned Loftin to Triple-A Omaha on Thursday.

The transaction likely clears the way for infielder Michael Massey (back) to be activated from the 10-day injured list, but the Royals will wait until shortly before Friday's game against the Orioles before announcing a corresponding move. Loftin has slashed .276/.371/.276 over 13 games in a part-time role for Kansas City this season.

Altuve went 2-for-4 with a walk, a run scored and a stolen base in Wednesday's 5-4 extra-inning loss to Atlanta.

The veteran second baseman racked up his fifth multi-hit performance over the last seven games, a stretch in which Altuve is batting a blistering .467 (14-for-30). He was hardly cold before that though, and he's failed to collect a hit in only one of his first 20 games. On the season, Altuve is slashing .388/.462/.675 with five homers, two steals, seven RBI and 15 runs scored.

Drury won't start and will only be available to pinch hit Wednesday and Thursday against the Rays due to left hamstring tightness, Rhett Bollinger of MLB.com reports.

Drury may still be used as supplementary help with batting, but he will miss his third straight start come Thursday. Though his ability to still pinch hit if necessary is encouraging, the Angels are being cautious with the 31-year-old's hamstring issue, and it is still unknown if he will return to the field Friday against the Reds.

Drury (hamstring) remains out of the lineup for Wednesday's contest in Tampa Bay, Erica Weston of Bally Sports West reports.

Drury will miss a second straight start with a hamstring issue. He declared himself available to play off the bench Tuesday, so it would seem fair to call Drury day-to-day. The Angels will deploy Luis Rengifo at second base and Nolan Schanuel at first base Wednesday.

Biggio is out of the lineup for Tuesday's game against the Yankees.

Biggio is in the midst of a nine-game hit streak during which he has a .902 OPS, but he'll take a seat Tuesday as lefty Carlos Rodon pitches for New York. Isiah Kiner-Falefa will shift to the keystone while Ernie Clement starts at third base.