MLB Player News

Drury went 4-for-5 with two homers, three RBI and two runs scored as the Blue Jays scored a 10-9 comeback win Saturday over the Rays.

Drury drew the Blue Jays to 9-4 with his eighth-inning homer off Hunter Wood, and then connected off Colin Poche with two outs in the ninth inning to send the contest to extra innings. The 26-year-old utility man started out hot with five homers in April, but he then slumped with just one in May and June combined before hitting five more this month. He holds a .225/.268/.407 slash line over 275 at-bats this season.

Castro is out of the lineup Saturday against the Mariners.

It appears to be just a routine day off for Castro, who has recorded a .143 on-base percentage with nine strikeouts over his last six games. Gordon Beckham is starting at second base, batting ninth.

Semien went 2-for-4 with two runs in a loss to the Rangers on Friday.

Semien crossed the plate with the only pair of runs the Athletics were able to get on the scoreboard against Lance Lynn and three surprisingly effective relievers. The veteran shortstop has reached safely in seven of his last eight games, and he now sports a solid .348 on-base percentage during a month of July in which he's also racked up 12 extra-base hits (six doubles, two triples, four home runs).

Andrus isn't in the starting lineup for Friday's game against the Athletics.

Andrus is 0-for-8 at the dish over his last two contests, so he'll get the night off to regroup. Danny Santana will shift over to shortstop and bat third with Andrus out of the equation.

Lowe said his bruised shin "felt better" Friday than any day prior, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Lowe, who resumed baseball activities Friday after a brief shutdown period, seems to have benefited from the pain-relieving shot he received earlier in the week. While this is an encouraging development for the second baseman, he remains without a timetable for his return. Look for Joey Wendle and Mike Brosseau to continue filling in at the keystone with Lowe sidelined.

Lopez is not in the lineup Friday against the Indians, Joel Goldberg of Fox Sports Kansas City reports.

Lopez is slashing just .167/.189/.194 with just two extra-base hits (both doubles) and zero steals, so he'll head to the bench following a string of three straight starts. In his place, Whit Merrifield is covering the keystone and hitting leadoff.

Kemp was designated for assignment by the Astros on Friday, Chandler Rome of the Houston Chronicle reports.

The Astros needed to free up a roster spot for Carlos Correa (rib), who was activated from the 60-day injured list Friday, and Kemp was the corresponding roster casualty. Houston will now have seven days to trade the 27-year-old or expose him to waivers. Prior to being dropped from the team's 40-man roster, Kemp slashed .227/.308/.417 with seven home runs and four stolen bases in 66 games.

Chavis (back) is starting at second base and hitting eighth Friday against the Yankees, Jen McCaffrey of The Athletic reports.

As expected, Chavis is back in the starting nine after going 2-for-4 with a pair of doubles, two RBI and a run scored as a substitute in Thursday's 19-3 win. The 23-year-old, who is slashing .257/.330/.455 with 16 home runs in 80 games this season, will face lefty James Paxton in his return to the starting lineup.

Chavis (back) entered Thursday's game after starting second baseman Brock Holt was ejected. He went 2-for-4 with two doubles, two RBI and a run scored in a 19-3 win over the Yankees.

Chavis was held out of the lineup Sunday and Monday after experiencing back spasms over the weekend. The last three games, however, were more of a manager's decision, according to Ian Browne of MLB.com. Chavis is expected to start at first base Friday and Saturday. "I mean, he's not playing (Thursday) because I want to play Brock," said manager Alex Cora prior to the game. "There's two lefties coming up. Brock is swinging the bat well. Michael will play the next two days. We'll see what happens Sunday. That's why he's not playing (Thursday)." With Mitch Moreland back in the fold, Chavis will start at first base against left-handers and share second base with Holt.

Forsythe started at first base and went 1-for-2 with two walks and two runs scored in Thursday's 11-3 win over the Athletics.

Forsythe has started all three games at first base since the Rangers demoted Ronald Guzman to Triple-A Nashville. He's been in the lineup against right-handers and left-handers. He and Danny Santana will share first base, although Santana, who has been a more dangerous hitter, may eventually land there most games, though Santana can also be used in the outfield following Joey Gallo's injury.