MLB Player News

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.

Kemp went 1-for-3 with a solo home run in a loss to the Blue Jays on Sunday.

Kemp's sixth-inning homer to right field ended up being the only thing standing between the Athletics and a shutout. The veteran infielder has now reached safely in 11 straight games, a stretch where he's sporting a .355 average, 1.054 OPS, 12.8 percent walk rate and tiny 5.1 percent strikeout rate.

Biggio went 2-for-4 with a three-run home run in Sunday's 12-1 victory over the Athletics.

Biggio plated Vladimir Guerrero and Matt Chapman on a three-run blast off Yacksel Rios in the eighth inning to notch his third homer over his last nine games. Sunday's contest was also Biggio's second straight multi-hit game. During that nine-game stretch, Biggio has gone 8-for-22 (.363) with eight RBI and six runs scored.

Westburg will be called up by the Orioles ahead of Monday's game against the Reds, Jeff Passan of ESPN.com reports.

Westburg was productive over 91 games at Triple-A Norfolk last year, and he was on a tear with the Triple-A club to begin the 2023 campaign. Over 67 games, he slashed .295/.372/.567 with 18 homers, 57 runs, 54 RBI and seven stolen bases, and he'll be rewarded with his first big-league call-up. The 24-year-old is among the top prospects in baseball and has seen playing time at five different positions in the minors this year, so he's positioned to have immediate playing time at the major-league level.

Altuve will likely be unavailable Sunday against the Dodgers due to a sore heel, Matt Kawahara of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.

Altuve isn't in the lineup for Sunday night's matchup, and manager Dusty Baker will try to avoid using him off the bench. Altuve sustained his injury hitting the base on a bunt single Saturday, and if he doesn't play Sunday, he'll have an additional day to rest before the Astros' series opener against the Cardinals on Tuesday.

Rengifo is out of the lineup for Sunday's game at Colorado, Erica Weston of Bally Sports West reports.

The 26-year-old made nine straight starts before being held out of the lineup Saturday, and he's now on the bench for a second straight contest. The Angels have recently brought in veterans Eduardo Escobar and Mike Moustakas via trade while also promoting David Fletcher, which will likely cut into Rengifo's playing time give his .590 OPS this year.

Frazier went 2-for-3 with a walk, one RBI, a stolen base and one run scored in Saturday's 6-4 extra-inning win over the Mairners.

Frazier had a productive all-around game while snapping a 1-for-19 skid over his previous seven contests. The second baseman is hitting just .227 on the season with a .673 OPS, but he's maintained regular playing time. He's added eight home runs, seven steals, 33 RBI and 35 runs scored through 263 plate appearances. Frazier's main competition for playing time is still Ramon Urias, who has filled more of a utility role in the infield of late.

Lopez is out of the lineup for Sunday's game at Tampa Bay.

Lopez started the past two games and will hit the bench Sunday after going 1-for-6 with a hit-by-pitch and a run scored. Samad Taylor will man the keystone Sunday for Kansas City.