MLB Player News

Semien went 2-for-4 with two runs in a win over the Astros on Friday.

Semien continued producing out of the leadoff spot Friday, posting his fifth two-hit effort of the last six games. The hot-hitting shortstop has reached safely in eight straight contests overall, a stretch during which he's raised his average 39 points to .286.

Albies went 1-for-4 with a double, a run scored and a stolen base in Friday's loss to the Phillies.

While the young second baseman has been an extra-base-hit machine to begin the season, the downside of all those doubles has been fewer opportunities to steal bases. That wasn't a problem Friday, as Albies stole home in the first inning on the front end of a double steal when the Phillies tried to gun Freddie Freeman down at second base. The Braves currently sit third in the majors with 19 stolen bases as a team and are committed to being aggressive on the basepaths, so while Albies is only 2-for-4 on steal attempts so far, he should get plenty more opportunities -- and have a lot more success -- as the season progresses.

Marte went hitless across four at-bats in the Diamondbacks' 5-4 win over the Nationals on Friday.

Marte was riding a three-game hitting streak heading into the series opener, but a weak .232/.270/.347 season line prompted manager Torey Lovullo to drop the second baseman from second to sixth in the batting order. It was only the third time all season that Marte hit outside of the two hole, and it appears he may have to get used to batting in the bottom half of the order until he displays better on-base skills. The switch-hitting Marte could still have a shot at batting second against left-handed pitching, as the lefty-hitting Jarrod Dyson, who batted second Friday against Nationals righty Stephen Strasburg, often sits against southpaws.

Frazier doubled and went 2-for-4 against Detroit on Thursday.

The 26-year-old made just his second start in the team's last five games. Not surprisingly, he's struggled defensively at second base while filling in for Josh Harrison (hand). His offensive woes, however, are surprising and likely the reason for his diminished playing time. Prior to Thursday, Frazier was batting .184 in 49 at-bats since Opening Day. His improved production Thursday might give him another start Friday.

Diaz went 4-for-5 with two doubles, a home run, two runs scored and three RBI for Double-A Jacksonville in Thursday's win over Pensacola.

The 21-year-old got off to a sluggish start in the Southern League, but Diaz has now gone 14-for-34 (.412) over his last eight games to boost his slash line to .243/.368/.414. While making contact remains something of an issue -- he's fanned 24 times in 19 games -- his power and strong plate discipline suggest he could be a Brian Dozier-like fantasy asset in the majors if everything comes together for him.

Albies went 2-for-5 with a double, a home run and three RBI in Thursday's win over the Reds.

The homer was his eighth and the double was his 10th already this season -- throw in a triple, and Albies now holds the Braves franchise record for extra-base hits before the end of April, breaking the mark of 18 XBH previously shared by some guys named Dale Murphy, Chipper Jones and Justin Upton. The 21-year-old second baseman will have a three-game set in Philadelphia to try and catch Jermaine Dye's 23 extra-base hits to match or break the major-league record, Given Albies' current form, don't count him out.

Merrifield is not in the lineup Thursday against the White Sox, Jeffrey Flanagan of MLB.com reports.

Merrifield is heating up at the plate, hitting safely in six of his last seven games and hitting three home runs in that span. He'll head to the bench for a night off Thursday however, allowing Ryan Goins to pick up a start at the keystone.

Semien went 2-for-4 with a run in a loss to the Rangers on Wednesday.

Semien's hitting streak now sits at five games, and he's reached safely in seven consecutive contests overall. The red-hot shortstop has boosted his average by 31 points to .278 since April 18, a stretch during which he's churned out five multi-hit efforts.

Urias was removed from Wednesday's game with Triple-A El Paso due to a minor leg injury after stumbling over first base during his first at-bat, Jeff Sanders of the San Diego Union-Tribune reports.

Urias will likely be back in action soon since El Paso is listing him as day-to-day for the time being. The infielder is hitting .265/.367/.368 with two home runs and six RBI over 17 games in 2018.

Marte is out of the lineup against Philadelphia on Thursday.

Marte will retreat to the bench for a rare day off after starting the past 20 games. Over the entire 2018 season thus far, Marte is hitting .232/.270/.347 with one home run and eight RBI. Chris Owings will get the start at second base in his absence.