MLB Player News

Andrus went 2-for-4 with a grand slam, two runs and five RBI in Tuesday's loss to the Athletics.

Andrus connected for his first career grand slam in the sixth inning off reliever J.B. Wendelken. Andrus is now hitting .268 with four home runs, nine doubles and 16 RBI in 41 games this season. The 29-year-old is ridding a modest six-game hitting streak and has hit the ball out of the park in back-to-back games.

Semien went 1-for-6 with a double, two runs and three RBI in Tuesday's win over the Rangers.

Semien hit a two-run double in the seventh inning and then secured another RBI in the eighth on a force attempt. Semien is having a decent July, hitting .268 with seven doubles, seven RBI, 10 walks and 10 runs scored in 18 games. His power numbers are down from years prior but his 56 runs this season are tied for fifth among all MLB shortstops.

Motter was designated for assignment by the Twins following Tuesday's game against the Blue Jays, Phil Miller of the Minneapolis Star Tribune reports.

Motter was recalled from Triple-A Rochester on Friday, but the Twins needed to make a move to clear space on the 40- and 25-man rosters for the return of Ervin Santana (finger) from the 60-day disabled list. Motter was claimed by the Twins in late May after being designated for assignment by the Mariners.

Drury was diagnosed with a left hand bruise after X-rays came back negative Tuesday, Marc Carig of The Athletic New York reports.

Drury exited Tuesday's game against the Rays after being hit by a pitch on the left hand. The severity of the bruise remains unclear at this point, but it wouldn't be surprising if the 25-year-old were held out of the lineup for a couple of days at least.

Drury left Tuesday's game at Tampa Bay after being hit by a pitch on the hand, Coley Harvey of ESPN.com reports.

Drury briefly remained in the game, but exited after moving from first to third base on a single. The 25-year-old should be considered day-to-day for now as the severity and specifics of the injury are currently unclear.

Barreto was optioned to Triple-A Nashville on Tuesday.

The A's needed to clear a spot for Tuesday's starter, Frankie Montas, and Barreto was an understandable casualty, as he did not have a clear path to everyday at-bats with the big club. Barreto has a .205/.246/.386 career slash line with five home runs and two steals in 134 MLB plate appearances. To make matters worse, he has a .232 average and a 32.3 percent strikeout rate this year in the hitter-friendly Pacific Coast League.

McNeill was called up by the Mets on Tuesday, Joel Sherman of the New York Post reports.

The 26-year-old was a 12th-round pick back in 2013 and has yet to make his big-league debut. He's been primarily a second baseman in the minors but has also played some third base and left field. He's had a breakout season at the plate this year, hitting .324/.411/.617 with Double-A Binghamton and Triple-A Las Vegas, and could be given a chance to carve out a significant role in the Mets' infield down the stretch.

Andrus went 1-for-3 with a two-run home run in Monday's 15-3 loss to Oakland.

Andrus extended his hitting streak to five games (7-for-18) with a third-inning homer, his first long ball since returning from an elbow injury June 18. The shortstop, who hit 20 homers in 2017, has carried a quiet bat out of the three hole, going 26-for-112 (.232) with just six RBI over 26 games.

Albies (hamstring) is expected to return to the lineup for Thursday's game against the Dodgers, Mark Bowman of MLB.com reports.

Albies will remain out of the starting nine for both games in Miami but doesn't appear to be a candidate for the 10-day disabled list after suffering a right hamstring injury Friday. Charlie Culberson is set to man the keystone in his absence.

Albies (hamstring) is not starting Monday against the Marlins.

Albies suffered a hamstring injury Friday against the Nationals and has been held out since then. The Braves appear to be treating the injury as a short-term problem, however, and there hasn't been a suggestion that a trip to the disabled list is imminent. Charlie Culberson will again start at second base.