MLB Player News

Hernandez (hand) is not in the lineup Saturday against the Nationals.

Hernandez received an MRI on Friday after exiting Wednesday's game with an injured left hand and manager Dave Roberts stated that the utility man was only available as a hitter Friday. While the team awaits the MRI results, Max Muncy continues to make starts at second base against left-handed pitching. Muncy is hitting fifth Saturday against southpaw opener Matt Grace.

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).

McNeil went 1-for-4 with a three-run home run in a 6-3 victory against the Pirates on Friday.

He's had a lot of 1-for-4 or 1-for-5 performances since the All-Star break, but McNeil still has hits in 11 of his last 13 games. During that stretch, he has three homers and eight RBI. McNeil is batting .340 with 10 home runs, 44 RBI, 51 runs and four steals in 341 at-bats this season.

Frazier went 2-for-4 with a two-run home run in a 6-3 loss against the Mets on Friday.

His strong July continues, as Frazier is batting .387 this month. Unfortunately, it hasn't led to a whole lot of other production -- two home runs, nine RBI, 15 runs in 20 games. Overall, Frazier is hitting .282 with five homers, 28 RBI, 53 runs and three steals in 355 at-bats this season.

Albies went 1-for-4 with a double, two RBI and a walk Friday night against Philadelphia.

Albies joined the hit parade in the fifth inning, driving an RBI double to right field. He would later tack on an insurance run in the sixth by walking with the bases loaded. Albies is hitting .284 with 14 homers and 53 RBI through 103 contests this year.

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.

Hernandez (hand) underwent an MRI on Friday, Bill Plunkett of The Orange County Register reports.

Hernandez left Wednesday's matchup with an injured left hand, and although his X-rays came back negative, he'll receive further testing, likely as a precaution. Manager Dave Roberts stated that the utility man would be available to play defense only Friday night, though the team still hadn't received the results of Hernandez's MRI.

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.