MLB Player News

Kemp played two innings at second base Sunday after Aledmys Diaz departed with a hamstring injury. Kemp walked in his lone plate appearance.

Diaz is expected to land on the injured list, leaving the Astros in the lurch at second base. Jose Altuve (hamstring) is expected to return from a rehab assignment by Wednesday, so either Kemp or Yuli Gurriel will cover the keystone for the next two days against the Cubs.

Biggio went 3-for-4 with a home run and two RBI in a 10-1 victory against the Padres on Sunday.

Playing in his third major league game, Biggio singled in the second inning for his first career hit. He then added a solo home run and another single, driving in a run on each hit. Biggio went 0-for-3 in each of his first two MLB games, but with the three-hit performance, he's 3-for-10 (.300) with a home run, two RBI and one run in three games.

Rengifo will start at shortstop and bat ninth Sunday against the Rangers.

Rengifo has started all five of the Angels' games since being recalled from Triple-A Salt Lake on Tuesday after everyday shortstop Andrelton Simmons sustained a Grade 3 ankle sprain. With Simmons likely sidelined through the All-Star break and potentially longer, Rengifo should have ample opportunity to distinguish himself at the big-league level. He's recorded a pair of two-hit games since his callup but has yet to attempt a steal for the Angels this season after being highly active on the bases during his time in the minors.

Forsythe will start at first base and bat fifth Sunday against the Angels.

Forsythe will draw his fifth consecutive start, but his path to an everyday role nonetheless appears more blocked than it was a week ago. The Rangers brought Elvis Andrus (hamstring) back from the 10-day injured list Saturday, no longer leaving Forsythe the top option for starts at shortstop.

Lopez will bat leadoff and start at second base Sunday against the Yankees.

After opening his MLB career as the Royals' No. 2 hitter, Lopez and Whit Merrifield flipped spots in the order for both halves of Saturday's doubleheader loss. Lopez only went 2-for-8 with a run scored between the two contests, but his .370 on-base percentage since joining the big club suggests he won't be out of place atop the order. A full-time leadoff assignment could also help spark Lopez's involvement on the bases, as he has yet to attempt a steal with the Royals.

Kemp is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Red Sox, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.

Injuries to Jose Altuve (hamstring) and George Springer (hamstring) have opened up more playing time lately for Kemp, who had started five of the previous six games. Kemp's opportunities could soon be on the downturn, however, as Altuve is trending toward a return from the 10-day injured list around the middle of next week.

Lowe went 2-for-3 with a double, a solo home run and a walk in a win over the Indians on Saturday.

Lowe is squaring up on the ball in May, as he now has 10 extra-base hits (five doubles, five homers) during the month. The 24-year-old has three round trippers over his last seven games alone and is now slashing a solid .287/.337/.557 across 181 plate appearances this season.

Andrus (hamstring) went 2-for-3 with a walk and a stolen base in a loss to the Angels on Saturday.

Andrus' ninth swiped bag of the year came in the sixth inning after he got aboard with one of his two singles on the night, but he was unable to get around to score. The shortstop is hitting .331 with six homers, 26 RBI and 25 runs scored this season and will likely return to an everyday role and a lofty position in the Rangers' batting order.

Andrus (hamstring) was activated off the 10-day injured list ahead of Saturday's game against the Angels.

Andrus indicated he felt great after a full workout Friday, clearing the way for his return following a brief rehab assignment. The 30-year-old will retake the starting role at shortstop and bat second Saturday against Tyler Skaggs.

Merrifield went 2-for-4 with a three-run homer as the Royals dropped the first game of Wednesday's doubleheader against the Yankees.

Merrifield took J.A. Happ deep in the sixth inning for his seventh home run of the season and temporarily tied the score. The 30-year-old is hitting .325 over his last 40 at-bats, but this was his first home run since May 7. For the season, Merrifield is slashing .296/.354/.524 with eight stolen bases across 206 at-bats.