MLB Player News

Kemp went 2-for-4 with an RBI triple, a stolen base and a run in a win over the White Sox on Friday.

The veteran's second-inning three-bagger was his first of the season and extended Kemp's hot stretch at the plate to 14 games. The 31-year-old owns a .333 average and .976 OPS over that span. Kemp also has three of his six steals on the season in the sample, and the fact he's on a non-contending team has afforded him the necessary time to bust out of what was at one point a career-worst offensive funk.

Merrifield isn't in the Blue Jays' lineup Saturday against the Red Sox, Shi Davidi of Sportsnet.ca reports.

Merrifield is 0-for-5 with three strikeouts in his last two games and will receive Saturday off to regroup. While Merrifield sits, Cavan Biggio will start at second base and bat eighth, and Daulton Varsho will take over in left field.

Drury was held out of Friday's game against Arizona due to a "tweaked" shoulder, Jeff Fletcher of The Orange County Register reports.

Drury reportedly hurt his shoulder on a dive during Thursday's loss to the White Sox, though the issue is considered minor. The infielder enjoyed a strong June, slashing .337/.377/.531 with five homers, 18 RBI and 12 runs over 24 games, and he's typically filled an important lineup slot immediately behind either Shohei Ohtani or Mike Trout, though that could change now that Anthony Rendon is back from the injured list. Drury is considered day-to-day and could be back in the lineup this weekend.

Ibanez went 2-for-4 with a two-run home run in Friday's 8-5 loss to the Rockies.

Ibanez cut the deficit to three runs with his eighth-inning blast. The infielder has enjoyed a solid run to wrap up June, going 14-for-45 (.311) over his last 12 games. He's been seeing consistent playing time lately, primarily at second base but also in right field and at third base. For the season, Ibanez is slashing .239/.275/.423 with six homers, 17 RBI, 22 runs scored and no stolen bases over 171 plate appearances.

Drury is not in the starting lineup Friday versus the Diamondbacks.

Drury will get a breather after he went 5-for-15 with a homer, three RBI and two runs scored while starting all four games of the Angels' series with the White Sox. Eduardo Escobar will take over at second base and bat seventh in the series opener against Arizona.

Massey (hand) will begin a rehab assignment with Triple-A Omaha on Friday.

Massey has been on the IL since June 18 due to a left hand laceration and now enters the final stretch of his recovery process. It's unclear how long the Royals plan on keeping Massey in the minors, but he is still on track to return before the All-Star break.

Lopez (hand) is starting at second base and batting ninth Friday against the Dodgers, Joel Goldberg of Bally Sports Kansas City reports.

Lopez suffered a bruised hand after getting hit by a pitch Wednesday and sat out Thursday's game. Now, he'll return for Friday's series opener with Los Angeles and look to keep things going after posting a .600 OBP across his last four games.

Diaz was recalled from Triple-A Las Vegas on Friday, Martin Gallegos of MLB.com reports.

Diaz slashed .321/.364/.527 with five home runs in 26 games after his most recent demotion to Vegas to earn another trip to the big leagues. The 22-year-old should should see consistent playing time at second base for the rebuilding A's.

Westburg is not in the starting lineup Friday against the Twins, Jacob Calvin Meyer of The Baltimore Sun reports.

Westburg will head to the bench for the first time since being called up Monday after he went 5-for-12 with a double, two RBI and two runs scored over his first three career big-league contests. Adam Frazier will start at second base and bat eighth in the series opener with Minnesota.

Valdez was placed on the 7-day injured list at Triple-A Worcester on Thursday with left thumb inflammation.

Valdez was initially injured early last week and made a brief, unsuccessful return for two games before the decision was made to shut him down him. The infielder had homered in four of his first seven contests since his demotion before getting hurt and might have been poised for a promotion with Pablo Reyes (abdomen) also injured for Boston.