MLB Player News

Semien, who went 1-for-4 with a two-run double, a walk and two runs in a win over the Rangers on Sunday, is 13-for-31 with two doubles, two home runs and nine RBI over his last seven games.

Semien's bat has been among the most lethal in the Athletics lineup in June, and his aforementioned hot streak has boosted his average 19 points to .272. The veteran shortstop is doing an excellent job out of the leadoff spot this season in terms of setting the table effectively, as his .359 on-base percentage easily ranks as the highest of his career.

Lowe went 3-for-5 with two home runs, three RBI and three runs in a 6-1 victory against the Red Sox on Sunday.

The 24-year-old showcased quite a bit of home-run power early in the year, but this was his first long ball since May 25. However, it didn't take him long to hit his second one after snapping that streak. Lowe is batting .288 with a .544 slugging percentage, 13 home runs, 41 RBI, 32 runs and three steals in 215 at-bats this season.

Merrifield went hitless and struck out twice in four at-bats Sunday in the Royals' 5-2 loss to the White Sox.

After totaling seven hits across his previous three starts against the White Sox, Merrifield saw his run of success come to an end Sunday with Reynaldo Lopez and a trio of relievers silencing the Kansas City offense. Merrifield has still been a major plus for fantasy managers with a .294 batting average, but he hasn't provided much categorical juice lately. Over his last 16 games, he's tallied six RBI, five runs, one home run and no steals.

Castro is starting at second base and batting sixth in Sunday's game against the Twins.

Castro did not start in Friday's series opener, but he started Saturday at third base and will now shift over to second for the series finale. The 25-year-old infielder has nine hits in 31 at-bats through 12 games at the MLB level this season, and he's stolen a base.

Chavis served as the first baseman for both games of Saturday's doubleheader against the Rays. He went 2-for-4 in the opener then 1-for-3 with two RBI in the nightcap.

The struggling Chavis started both games after Boston placed Mitch Moreland (quadriceps) on the injured list Saturday. He entered the day hitting .100 (3-for-30) over the past eight games. Sam Travis is also around to play first base until Moreland and/or Steve Pearce (back) return.

Andrus went 3-for-5 with two doubles and two stolen bases as the Rangers defeated the Athletics 10-5 in the first game of a doubleheader Saturday.

Andrus stole two bases in the first inning to help the Rangers to a 3-0 lead. The 30-year-old now has six homers and 13 steals and is slashing a solid .309/.348/.470 this year.

Lowe is not starting the second game of Saturday's doubleheader against the Red Sox, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Lowe went 2-for-4 with a pair of RBI in the afternoon contest. He'll sit against lefty David Price, as he's done against the previous two southpaws the Rays have faced. Daniel Robertson starts at second base.

Torres (shoulder) returns to the starting lineup for Saturday's game against Cleveland.

Torres sat for two games with a sore shoulder, but the issue didn't appear to be a serious one, and he's back as expected Saturday. He'll bat fifth and play second base, which should be his primary position going forward now that Didi Gregorius is back from Tommy John surgery.

Rodriguez went 2-for-4 with a double and an RBI in Friday's 6-3 loss to the Twins.

Rodriguez came into the game in an 0-for-31 slump, a cold spell that stretched back to May 23. Before then, the 27-year-old was batting .277, but the hitless streak lowered his average all the way down to .212. Rodriguez has also seen a dip in playing time, as the Tigers have turned to the likes of Brandon Dixon and Dawel Lugo more often in the infield.

Chavis entered Friday's game after first baseman Mitch Moreland was removed due to a quadriceps strain. He went 0-for-2 in a 5-1 loss to the Rays.

Moreland, who returned from a back injury Friday, was expected to provide a break for the slumping Chavis, who is 10-for-61 (.164) over the last 16 games. Moreland landed back on the injured list, so Chavis may not get that timely rest, although the Red Sox still have Sam Travis on the roster.