MLB Player News

Song isn't in the lineup for Friday's game against the Royals.

Song will retreat to the bench to begin the first game of San Diego's second-half schedule after going 2-for-18 with three walks, four RBI and three runs in his final six games before the All-Star break. Manny Machado will cover the hot corner with Song on the bench, opening up the DH spot for Miguel Andujar.

Julien is not in the lineup for Friday's game versus the Reds.

After making five straight starts at second base against right-handed pitching, the lefty-swinging Julien has now sat out two straight versus righties. Willi Castro will man the keystone for the Rockies on Friday.

The Mets reinstated Semien (hip) from the injured list Thursday.

Semien has been shelved by a Grade 3 hip flexor strain since June 25, but after going 2-for-3 with a three-run homer during a rehab game Sunday, he's been cleared to return to the active roster before Thursday's second-half opener against Philadelphia -- well ahead of his initial 4-to-6-week timeline. The 35-year-old figures to reclaim his role as New York's primary second baseman now that he's healthy, though the Mets will keep him on the bench Thursday while Brett Baty starts at the keystone. Zack Short was designated for assignment in a corresponding move.

Semien (hip) began a rehab assignment with Double-A Binghamton on Sunday, logging five innings at second base while going 2-for-3 with a three-run home run.

After landing on the shelf June 25 due to a Grade 3 left hip flexor strain, Semien initially appeared unlikely to make it back from the injured list before the beginning of August, but he's made more rapid progress in his recovery than anticipated. Semien will put his rehab assignment on hold during the All-Star break, but he's expected to report back to Binghamton or Triple-A Syracuse over the weekend to continue stockpiling at-bats in games. If all goes well in his initial rehab games following the break, Semien could get the green light to rejoin the Mets at some point during the final two weeks of July.

Stott went 2-for-4 with a double and an RBI in Sunday's win over Detroit.

Stott may have last homered June 23 in Washington, but he's remained somewhat productive at the dish despite the power outage. The middle infielder has tallied six multi-hit games in his last 12 outings. For the campaign, Stott is slashing a middling .249/.308/.393 with seven homers, 42 RBI, 17 stolen bases and 37 runs scored over 353 plate appearances.

Freeland is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Diamondbacks.

After being called up to the big club in late May, Freeland had settled back into a near-everyday role at second base, but his playing time has begun to dry up now that Teoscar Hernandez has settled back in as a regular in the Los Angeles lineup following his return from the injured list June 29. With Hernandez taking control of left field, Tommy Edman has seen fewer opportunities in the outfield but has begun to poach playing time from Freeland at second base. Freeland will be on the bench for a fourth consecutive game and could soon be headed back to Triple-A Oklahoma City if his opportunities remain limited.

Julien is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Giants.

The Rockies have regularly shielded the left-handed-hitting Julien from southpaws this season, but he'll take a seat against a righty starter (Trevor McDonald) in the final game before the All-Star break. Tyler Freeman will get the nod at second base in place of Julien, who is slashing .228/.335/.321 (75 wRC+) over 224 plate appearances versus righties on the campaign.

Nunez is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Yankees.

Nunez will hit the bench after he went 0-for-5 with a walk while starting the first two games of the series. Jose Tena will replace Nunez at second base and will bat seventh.

Song went 1-for-3 with a walk, two RBI, one stolen base and one run scored in Saturday's 8-7 win over the Blue Jays.

Song was in the lineup at third base for this contest while Manny Machado rested his legs as the designated hitter. Over nine games in July, Song has gone 6-for-27 (.222 average) with five steals and two extra-base hits. Song has now started in six of the Padres' last seven games and looks like he'll get a chance to play on a near-everyday basis while shifting between second base and third base.

Cronenworth went 2-for-4 with one RBI, two stolen bases and one run scored in Saturday's 8-7 win over the Blue Jays.

Cronenworth has gone 12-for-42 (.286) over 13 games since he returned from a concussion. His pair of steals Saturday gives him three thefts on the year. The veteran infielder is batting .187 with a .553 OPS, three home runs, 11 RBI, 17 runs scored and three doubles over 45 contests. Cronenworth has seen steady time in the lineup between first base, second base and designated hitter since his coming off the IL.