MLB Player News

Manager Bob Melvin said that he thinks Semien (side) to avoid a trip to the injured list, though the shortstop isn't expected to be available for the Athletics' next game Friday versus the Padres, Shayna Rubin of The San Jose Mercury News reports.

Before returning to action Friday, the Athletics will have had a full five days off after a member of their organization tested positive for COVID-19. The extra time off apparently hasn't allowed Semien to completing move past the injury, which has affected him most while swinging the bat, according to Martin Gallegos of MLB.com. The Athletics seem content to take a day-to-day approach with Semien heading into the weekend, but Chad Pinder and Vimael Machin could pick up work at shortstop in the short term.

Andrus is being challenged by manager Chris Woodward to be more productive offensively, Evan Grant of the Dallas Morning News reports.

Andrus hit a game-tying home run in the ninth inning of Tuesday's win over the Astros, but prior to that at-bat, he'd hit three meek grounders, two of which ended in double plays. Andrus, who has the fifth lowest OPS (.680) over the last three seasons among hitters with at least 1,000 plate appearances, has been resistant to the statistical analysis the Rangers have offered and laments the increasing reliance on metrics in baseball as a whole. "The toughest thing for me is to not to believe my instincts during the game and to actually believe more in a piece of paper, or report," he said. "That's where the game is right now. I think that's what I've been a little hard-headed about." Woodward, a statistically-inclined manager, has given the 12-year veteran data that indicates opposing pitchers know his power zones, and they avoid them when pitching to him. As a result, Andrus has chased or taken defensive swings and experienced an offensive decline. Texas could decide to move on from Andrus and has candidates such as Isiah Kiner-Falefa and Anderson Tejeda ready to fill in.

Altuve went 3-for-5 and scored twice in a loss to Texas on Tuesday.

The veteran collected his third three-hit game of the campaign in the loss, though each of his base knocks were singles. It has been a down season for Altuve, who is hitting an uncharacteristic .225 overall. After seeming to get back on track in mid-August, the second baseman entered Tuesday's contest hitting only .150 (3-for-20) over his previous six games.

Andrus went 1-for-4 with a solo home run in a victory over Houston on Tuesday.

In his first game since returning from a stint on the injured list, Andrus came up big with a solo shot to left field off Astros closer Ryan Pressly in the ninth inning to help send the game to extras. The clutch homer was a rare highlight for Andrus in what has been a difficult season. He is hitting a paltry .188 overall, and Tuesday's long ball was his first of 2020.

Castro (hamstring) is performing all baseball activities, recently adding baserunning, Cody Stavenhagen of The Athletic reports.

Castro has been out for two weeks with a left hamstring strain, but he appears to be closing in on a return. He filled just a part-time role prior to the injury and will presumably be used similarly once healthy.

Torres (hamstring) could return to the lineup at some point during the Yankees' weekend series in Baltimore, source reports.

Torres seems to be well ahead of the 3-to-6-week timeline given by general manager Brian Cashman as recently as last Friday. He remains without a specific target date as he works his way back from a left hamstring strain, but he's expected to head to the Yankees' alternate training site for a few days to get some at-bats in soon before being activated shortly thereafter.

Herrera's contract was selected by the Orioles on Tuesday.

Herrera has yet to make his season debut and hit just .184/.268/.414 in 97 plate appearances for the Reds in 2018, his most recent big-league campaign, striking out at a 40.2 percent clip. He'll give the Orioles some added infield depth but is unlikely to play frequently.

Arraez is not in the lineup Tuesday against the White Sox.

Arraez hasn't done much at the plate this season, hitting a modest .264/.320/.297. Ildemaro Vargas will take over at second base Tuesday.

The Blue Jays designated Drury for assignment Monday.

Drury was cast off the 40-man roster following Monday's acquisition of Jonathan Villar, who is expected to serve as Toronto's everyday shortstop until Bo Bichette (knee) returns from the 10-day injured list. Before being optioned to the Blue Jays' alternate site over the weekend, Drury posted a .358 OPS over his 49 plate appearances with the big club.

Semien (side) is feeling slightly better Monday, according to general manager David Forst, Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.

Forst also mentioned that Semien has dealt with the side soreness in each of the past two seasons. It's still unclear when the shortstop will be able to return to the top of Oakland's lineup, but there remains the possibility that he'll be ready Thursday in Seattle, if the club is cleared to resume play then. The A's are currently isolating in Houston as they await COVID-19 tests after a member of the organization tested positive Sunday.