MLB Player News

Lowe (back) began a rehab assignment Monday with the Rays' rookie-level Florida Complex League affiliate and went 1-for-3 with a strikeout.

Lowe served as a designated hitter Monday in what was his first game action in three weeks since being shelved with lower-back inflammation. After missing extensive time in 2022 due to a disc herniation in his lower back, Lowe is poised for a shorter absence this time around, though the Rays will presumably still want to see him play second base in a few rehab games before activating him. He'll eventually move his assignment from the FCL to Triple-A Durham before likely rejoining the Rays at some point during the final week before the All-Star break.

Westburg went 1-for-4 with a walk, one RBI and one run scored in Monday's 10-3 win over the Reds.

Westburg also got aboard on a fielder's choice, which accounted for his RBI. The 24-year-old prospect showed a solid eye at the plate with Triple-A Norfolk this year with a 21.3 percent strikeout rate and 9.8 percent walk rate. Getting on base consistently will help him compete for at-bats in a crowded infield, where he's most likely to challenge Adam Frazier and Jorge Mateo for playing time. Westburg can also play corner outfield, but the Orioles are already juggling three players for those two spots.

Semien went 2-for-4 with a solo home run and a walk Monday in a loss to Detroit.

Semien helped the Rangers get off to a good start, swatting a long ball to left field to lead off the bottom of the first inning. However, the Tigers took over from there and won the game handily. Semien finished with his third straight multi-hit contest, and he's gone 7-for-14 over that span. The veteran second baseman has tailed off a bit in June but is still slashing a solid .281/.342/.462 with 11 homers, 55 RBI, seven steals and an AL-high 63 runs on the campaign.

Polanco (hamstring) has been hitting in the cage, taking groundballs and is in the midst of a running progression, Twins trainer Nick Paparesta told the St. Paul Pioneer Press.

Polanco will advance to running the bases next week and then potentially begin a rehab assignment. Polanco missed two weeks in late May with a left hamstring strain and made it less than 10 days before injuring the same muscle. Expect the Twins to take their time with Polanco's recovery as a result.

Ibanez went 2-for-4 with a three-run home run in Monday's win over the Rangers.

Ibanez's fifth home run of the season in the third inning ended up being all the Tigers would need in the 7-2 win. The utility man continues to see regular playing time as he moves across the diamond. He started in right field Monday and has also seen time in left as well as every infield position except for shortstop. Ibanez is hitting .328 with three home runs and an 18.5 percent strikeout rate in 20 games this month while moving into a regular role, but he could start playing less against righties once Akil Baddoo (quad) and Riley Greene (lower leg) return from the injured list.

The White Sox optioned Rodriguez to Double-A Birmingham on Monday.

Rodriguez appeared in only one game -- and did not draw a plate appearance -- during his week-long stay on Chicago's major-league roster. The 22-year-old infielder now returns to the Double-A level, where he has posted a .702 OPS with nine homers and nine steals in 44 games this season.

Frazier is out of the lineup for Monday's game against the Reds.

Though he's taking a seat Monday with a southpaw (Brandon Williamson) on the bump for Cincinnati, the lefty-hitting Frazier could soon find himself at risk of losing out on playing time versus right-handed pitching, too. The Orioles called up one of their top prospects in Jordan Westburg from Triple-A Norfolk on Monday, and he's likely to get a look as a full-time player. Westburg has the ability to play three infield spots as well both corner-outfield spots, so he could end up spelling a number of different players rather than being a direct replacement for Frazier in the everyday lineup.

The Orioles selected Westburg's contract from Triple-A Norfolk on Monday.

Confirming what had been reported Sunday, Westburg will join the Orioles ahead of Monday's series opener versus the Reds for what will be his MLB debut. The 24-year-old's promotion comes after he posted a .939 OPS with seven stolen bases in 301 plate appearances in the International League while making starts at second base, third base, shortstop, left field and right field. The Orioles may not commit to Westburg being a full-time player at any one position, but he should be in store for a near-everyday role in any case while moving about multiple different spots in the infield or outfield.

The Orioles optioned Ortiz to Triple-A Norfolk on Monday, Roch Kubatko of MASNSports.com reports.

Ortiz holds a .943 OPS in Triple-A, but he's been unable to get going in the majors this season. He'll look to right the ship again in the minors, and Jordan Westburg will come up from Norfolk in a corresponding move to replace Ortiz on the active roster.

Semien went 2-for-5 with a double and a run scored in Sunday's 5-3 loss to the Yankees.

Semien showed signs this weekend that he's busting out of a recent slump. The second baseman produced a combined five hits Saturday and Sunday after enduring a 10-for-67 stretch over the previous 15 games.