MLB Player News

Kemp went 2-for-3 with an RBI single and two walks in an extra-inning win over the Angels on Monday.

Kemp was a factor out of the bottom of the order on a prolific night for Athletics bats, putting together his most productive offensive performance of the season yet. The veteran's multi-hit effort was his first since April 12 and helped snap an extended 1-for-26 funk he'd been mired in since that game prior to Monday.

The Red Sox recalled Valdez from Triple-A Worcester on Tuesday.

Valdez was up with the big club for one game earlier this month, picking up two hits in four plate appearances. The 24-year-old has struggled at Worcester this season but showed his offensive upside in 2022 with a .918 OPS and 28 homers between Double-A and Triple-A. He could see some starts at second base while he's up with the big club, though Christian Arroyo may be first in line to move back into an everyday role in the infield after Yu Chang (wrist) was placed on the 10-day injured list Tuesday.

Arroyo will start at second base and bat eighth in Tuesday's game against the Orioles, Chris Cotillo of The Springfield Republican reports.

Arroyo recently missed time with a hamstring injury, but his absence from the lineup both of the past two days appear to be the result of him losing his hold on an everyday role. However, with Yu Chang suffering a left wrist injury in Monday's 5-4 loss and most likely bound for the injured list, Arroyo looks like he'll have an opportunity to reclaim a regular spot in the starting nine.

The Rays optioned Brujan to Triple-A Durham on Tuesday, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Brujan will return to the minors to open up a spot on the 26-man active roster for outfielder Jose Siri (hamstring), who was reinstated from the 10-day injured list ahead of Tuesday's game against the Astros. During his latest stint in the majors, Brujan appeared in 11 games and went 5-for-20 with five runs and three RBI.

Merrifield went 1-for-2 with two walks, a double, a run scored and an RBI in Monday's win over the White Sox.

The former Royal extended his hitting streak to 10 games with a fourth-inning two-bagger off Lance Lynn. Merrifield is batting .389 (14-for-36) during the streak with two steals, six runs and six RBI, and while the 34-year-old continues to get frequent rest days as part of a deep Toronto roster, the surge has raised his slash line to .317/.377/.417 on the season.

Biggio went 1-for-3 with a three-run home run in Monday's 5-2 victory over the White Sox.

Biggio gave the Blue Jays a 4-2 lead with a three-run homer off Lance Lynn in the fourth, marking the youngster's second long ball of the season. Biggio is off to another slow start this year and is currently slashing just .128/.209/.282 with four RBI and one stolen base through his first 14 games (43 plate appearances).

Espinal (wrist) was available off the bench for the Blue Jays during Monday's win over the White Sox, MLB.com reports.

Espinal had to exit Saturday's game versus the Yankees after being hit on the right wrist by a pitch, but tests came back negative and he's been cleared to play. The infielder is off to a 4-for-35 start at the plate this season.

Drury went 3-for-4 with two homers, four RBI, three runs scored and a walk in Monday's loss to Oakland.

Drury belted a solo shot in the second inning followed by a two-run homer in the 10th. He also added an RBI single in the seventh. The big breakout was a long time coming for Drury, who was sporting an atrocious .477 OPS entering Monday's game. He's now slashing .211/.247/.380 with six extra-base hits and nine RBI. This was Drury's first game with multiple extra-base hits all season.

Polanco went 2-for-5 with a double and three RBI during Monday's win against the Yankees.

Polanco opened the scoring with a two-run single in the third inning and added an insurance run with an RBI double in the sixth. The veteran infielder has looked great since returning from his season-opening stint on the injured list. He's gone 7-for-18 (.389) with two extra-base hits and five RBI through four games.

Lopez is out of the lineup for Monday's game against the Diamondbacks.

Lopez will take a seat against southpaw Tommy Henry for the first game of the series against Arizona. Michael Massey will get the start at second base while hitting sixth in his absence.