MLB Player News

Semien went 3-for-5 with a double, five RBI and a run scored Thursday against the Angels.

Semien doubled with the bases loaded in the sixth inning, the hit that accounted for most of his production on the day. It was a slump-busting performance for him, as he had gone 0-for-9 across his last three games and hadn't driven in a run since September 9. Though he's never followed up his 27-home run season in 2016, Semien has scored plenty of runs and produces enough homers and stolen bases to be a solid option in deeper formats.

Merrifield went 3-for-5 with a double, two singles, two runs and a steal in Thursday's loss to the Tigers.

Merrifield continues to lead the American League with 37 steals, and the three-hit effort extended his hit streak to 11 games. He owns a .303 batting average with 12 home runs, 57 RBI and 84 runs over 665 plate appearances in 2018.

Frazier went 1-for-4 with a solo home run in Wednesday's 2-1 win over the Royals.

His fifth-inning shot, Frazier's ninth homer of the year, provided the game-winning run for the Pirates as they try to breathe life into their dying playoff hopes. He's now hitting .281 through 16 games in September with two homers and eight RBI.

Rosario went 3-for-4 with a pair of stolen bases in Wednesday's loss to the Phillies.

Rosario accounted for three of the team's six hits in Wednesday's shutout loss. The youngster also stole two bases, putting him at 21 steals through 144 games on the year. Rosario has been dialed in to start September, slashing .324/.347/.521 with eight extra-base hits (two homers) and five stolen bases through 18 games.

Frazier (knee), who didn't start Tuesday, pinch hit and remained in the game to play left field.

The 26-year-old continues to shuffle between second base and the outfield due to right fielder Gregory Polanco's shoulder injury. Frazier will likely continue to play multiple positions in 2019, though general manager Neal Huntington recently told MLB.com that he's comfortable with Frazier starting primarily at second base. Frazier is slashing .322/.375/.541 in 160 plate appearances since returning from a minor-league demotion in July.

Albies will start at second base and bat sixth Wednesday against the Cardinals.

With Albies managing only one hit in his last 14 at-bats and sitting on a .238 average in September, manager Brian Snitker has opted to drop the youngster four spots in the lineup. Ender Inciarte will check in as the club's No. 2 hitter and could stick in that spot until Albies breaks out of his extended funk at the plate.

Andrus went 0-for-3 with a walk in Tuesday's loss to the Rays.

Andrus told Gerry Fraley of the Dallas Morning News that's he's felt better in the last week or so than at any time since returning from an elbow injury in June. That may be the case, but one can't deduce that from his numbers. He doesn't have an extra-base hit or RBI over his last 10 games, a stretch in which he's hitting .103 (4-for-39).

Kemp started in center field and went 1-for-3 with a double and a run scored in Tuesday's 7-0 win over Seattle.

With Josh Reddick (Achilles) sidelined, Kemp slotted into the starting lineup in center field while George Springer covered right field. With a day off looming Thursday, the Astros can keep Reddick out of Wednesday's series finale and allow three days for the Achilles to stop barking. In that case, Kemp could get another start Wednesday.

Marte went 1-for-3 with a solo home run and a strikeout in Tuesday's loss to the Cubs.

Marte accounted for the lone Arizona run in this one, smacking a solo homer in the second inning of the 9-1 loss. The 24-year-old has gone deep in two of his last three starts, giving him 12 long balls and 55 RBI on the season.

Johnson was called up from Triple-A Salt Lake on Tuesday.

Johnson has been at Triple-A for most of the season after earning an invitation to major-league spring training, and slashed .277/.359/.459 with the Bees. The 28-year-old bolsters the Angels' infield depth as David Fletcher deals with a hamstring injury.