MLB Player News

Semien went 2-for-4 with a run in a win over the Tigers on Thursday.

Offensive success has been relatively sparse for the shortstop recently, as even factoring in Thursday's production, he's hit just .198 in June. His tally against the Tigers represented only his fourth multi-hit effort of the month, but it did snap him out of a 2-for-24 slump that had encompassed his previous six games. There were hopes for a resurgent season for Semien after a wrist injury cost him significant time in 2017, but his .248/.302/.366 line through 364 plate appearances is actually slightly poorer overall than the .249/.325/.398 he slashed in 22 additional PAs last season.

Drury will be called up ahead of Friday's series opener against the Red Sox, Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic reports.

After a lengthy stay at Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre, Drury is ready for his first major league game since going on the disabled list April 7. Drury played in all 24 June games at Triple-A and registered a .311/.404/.522 slash line over that 90 at-bat sample. The Yankees have yet to announce a corresponding move to clear a spot for Drury on the active roster.

Fontana was optioned to Triple-A Salt Lake on Thursday, Jeff Fletcher of the Southern California News Group reports.

Fontana only spent one day with the Angels during his most recent appearance in the big leagues. The infielder will return to the minors for the time being, though it's likely he will continue to get shipped back and forth between the two levels in order to provide extra depth.

Polanco (suspension, finger) was moved to Triple-A Rochester on Thursday.

Polanco will take the next step in his rehab assignment after appearing in a couple games with High-A Fort Myers earlier this week. He is expected to play in both games of a doubleheader Thursday, which should give the organization a better idea of whether he will be ready to return to Minnesota on Monday.

Fontana was recalled from Triple-A Salt Lake on Wednesday, Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic reports.

Fontana will join the Angels in Boston, marking his third cup of coffee with the team this season. The infielder has played in eight games, going 1-for-11 with a solo home run during his brief opportunity in the big leagues. Look for him to supply a little additional depth moving forward, though it's highly unlikely that he will make much of an impact.

Semien is out of the starting lineup against the Tigers on Wednesday, Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.

Semien will receive a breather following 22 straight starts, including a 1-for-4 showing with one run scored during Oakland's comeback victory Tuesday. In his place, Franklin Barreto will start at shortstop and bat eighth.

Lowe went 3-for-4 with a home run, double, walk and five RBI for Triple-A Durham in its 6-4 win over Charlotte on Tuesday.

The RBI total was a career-best for Lowe, who has been sizzling out of the gate for Durham since earning a promotion from Double-A Montgomery earlier this month. The 2015 third-round pick has blasted six home runs over his last six games and has racked up 11 extra-base hits in total across just 72 plate appearances with the affiliate. His 14 combined long balls between the two levels already surpass his previous single-season best of 11, which he tallied in 2017.

Polanco is 2-for-6 with a home run in his first two rehab games for High-A Fort Myers. He could return from his 80-game steroid suspension as soon as July 2, the St. Paul Pioneer Press reports.

Polanco's rehab assignment started later than expected due to a finger injury, so the Twins may place him on the DL when his suspension ends and keep him in the minors longer than July 2. However, the Twins haven't made their plans clear and a good showing a Low-A could convince Minnesota to activate him right away.

Barreto went 2-for-4 with a game-tying RBI double in a win over the Tigers on Monday. He is now hitting .333 (8-for-24) with two doubles, three home runs, 10 RBI and five runs over his last six games.

It's a particularly welcome stretch of success at the plate for Barreto, who'd slashed just .197/.250/.352 in his initial big-league cup of coffee in 2017, and who'd gone 1-for-14 over the first six games in which he'd logged an at-bat with the Athletics this season. The 22-year-old has a long way to go in terms of plate discipline, however, as he's drawn just one walk while already striking out 13 times over his first 39 plate appearances.

Merrifield is not in the lineup for Sunday's game against the Astros, Maria Torres of The Kansas City Star reports.

This was described as a rest day by Torres -- nothing to suggest the left knee is still an issue. Merrifield hasn't homered since May 14 and is well off his power pace from a season ago, but he continues to hit for average and run, with his 16 steals ranking second in the American League. Adalberto Mondesi will get the start at second base in Merrifield's absence Sunday as Rosell Herrera leads off.