MLB Player News

Kemp is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Reds, Chandler Rome of the Houston Chronicle reports.

Jose Altuve (hamstring) was reinstated from the 10-day injured list and reinstalled as the everyday second baseman for the series finale, likely spelling an end to Kemp's run as a regular in the lineup. While the outfield also presents another playing-time avenue for the versatile Kemp, any steady opportunities he gets there will likely be short-lived with George Springer (hamstring) trending toward a return from IL early next week. Kemp suddenly looks like an expendable player in most deeper mixed leagues, and perhaps some AL-only formats as well.

Altuve (hamstring) was activated from the 10-day injured list and will start at second base and bat third Wednesday against the Reds, Chandler Rome of the Houston Chronicle reports.

Altuve will check back into the Houston lineup for the first time since May 10 after the Astros cleared him to return to action following a successful three-game minor-league rehab assignment. Prior to landing on the shelf, Altuve was batting just .243 to go with nine home runs and one stolen base in three attempts. While it's not expected that his hamstring injury will have any impact on his productivity at the plate, Altuve's involvement in the run game could become more muted while he looks to avoid a potential aggravation. With Altuve back in the fold as the everyday second baseman, Tony Kemp is expected to shift into a utility role.

Semien went 1-for-4 with an RBI triple, a walk and two runs in a win over the Orioles on Tuesday.

Semien was one of the few Athletics not to leave the yard in the 16-run explosion, but he managed to contribute with his second triple of the season. The three-bagger also extended Semien's hitting streak to 15 games and pushed his June average to .338, a far cry from a month of May when he mustered just a .206 figure at the plate.

Merrifield went 3-for-4 with a pair of home runs, six RBI and three runs scored in Tuesday's rout of the Mariners.

Merrifield led off the game with a single and came around to score on a hit by Alex Gordon. He then helped put the game out of reach with a three-run blast in the fourth inning and a sacrifice fly for a run in the sixth before capping the scoring with a two-run blast in the eighth. The multi-homer game was the second of Merrifield's career, while the six RBI established a career high. He is putting together another fine season, complementing a .306/.353/.510 slash line with 10 homers, 39 RBI, 52 runs and 11 stolen bases.

Altuve (hamstring) is expected to be activated from the injured list ahead of Wednesday's game against the Reds, Julia Morales of AT&T SportsNet Southwest reports.

Altuve returned to the team Tuesday to be re-evaluated, and it appears he's passed his tests with flying colors. The 29-year-old star was placed on the injured list May 11 due to a left hamstring strain, but he'll be eager to return to form after playing below his standards to kick off the 2019 campaign. Altuve is slashing .243/.329/.472 with nine homers, one stolen base and 21 RBI over 39 games this season.

Arraez was recalled from Triple-A Rochester prior to Tuesday's game against the Red Sox.

Ehire Adrianza was placed on the 10-day injured list in a corresponding move. Arraez has been a hitting machine in the minors and majors this season, but he will likely only serve as a part-time player while Adrianza is on the shelf. We could see him competing to be the Twins' starting second baseman in spring training next year, so he is worth stashing in dynasty leagues.

Manager AJ Hinch told MLB Network Radio on SiriusXM that Altuve (hamstring) will join the team in Cincinnati on Tuesday for an evaluation and could be activated from the 10-day injured list as soon as Wednesday.

Altuve made his third rehab appearance with Triple-A Round Rock on Monday, assuming designated-hitter duties in that contest and going 1-for-4 with a triple, walk and two strikeouts. Since Altuve played second base for the affiliate the day before and was already scheduled to receive Tuesday off, the Astros elected to take a look at him rather than having him stick around in Round Rock. If the Astros' assessment of Altuve reveals nothing concerning, he'll likely re-enter the big-league lineup for Wednesday's series finale with the Reds. Tony Kemp is expected to transition into a utility role once Altuve is back in the fold.

Barreto, who went 1-for-4 with a grand slam home run, five RBI overall and a walk in a win over Triple-A Nashville on Monday, is slashing .286/.381/.538 with 11 homers and 42 RBI across 64 games with Triple-A Las Vegas.

Barreto's line is also partly comprised of 18 doubles, four triples, 11 stolen bases and 58 runs, making the 23-year-old one of the Aviators' most well-rounded contributors. Barreto has logged a pair of relatively brief majors stints over the last two seasons, but he's found consistent contact against big-league arms to be especially elusive. Another late-season promotion this season is certainly a possibility, although Jurickson Profar, the keeper of the keystone for the Athletics, seems to slowly be figuring things out at the plate after an abysmal start to the season.

Kemp went 0-for-4 in Monday's 3-2 loss to the Reds.

Kemp started at second base, like he's done several times while Jose Altuve (hamstring) has been sidelined; however, Monday's game may have been his last in that gig. Altuve played a second consecutive day while on rehab at Triple-A Round Rock, and his return is imminent, per Chandler Rome of the Houston Chronicle.

Altuve (hamstring) went 1-for-4 with a triple and a walk while serving as the designated hitter for Triple-A Round Rock on Monday.

That makes back-to-back days for Altuve, who is said to be nearing a return to Houston. He played all nine innings at second base Sunday followed by Monday's turn at DH. He'll be evaluated Tuesday before any decision is made. Round Rock has one more home game before embarking on a road trip Wednesday, so the Astros could give Altuve one more game on rehab.