MLB Player News

Semien, who went 0-for-3 in Sunday's 5-1 Bay Bridge Series exhibition loss to the Giants, is expected to provide a unique mix of power and speed out of the leadoff spot in 2018, Jane Lee of MLB.com reports.

The versatile shortstop has made a case for a potentially explosive 2018 this spring with a .309 average, a pair of doubles, one home run and four RBI. Now fully recovered from the wrist surgery that cost him 74 games last season, Semien will look to up his OBP for a third straight campaign and put a dent in his 22 percent strikeout rate while serving as both table-setter and long-ball supplier at the top of the Athletics' lineup.

Solarte has gone 10-for-48 (.208 average) with a home run and five RBI across 17 Grapefruit League games.

Due to his ability to play all over the infield in addition to starting shortstop Troy Tulowitzki's (heel) expected absence for at least the first few weeks of the season, Solarte should be in store for at least semi-regular at-bats to kick off his first campaign in Toronto. However, Solarte's poor spring may result in Aledmys Diaz garnering the Opening Day nod at shortstop, as Gregor Chisholm of MLB.com projects. Diaz has only been marginally better than Solarte at the plate during Grapefruit League action, so it could be a case where manager John Gibbons rotates both players in at shortstop at the start of the season before ultimately settling on the hotter bat of the two.

Drury (elbow) said that he expects to play in the Yankees' Grapefruit League game Monday against the Braves, Coley Harvey of ESPN.com reports.

Drury went through full baseball activities Sunday without any complications, so it appears his left elbow injury is no longer much of a concern. The 25-year-old has been held out of Grapefruit League action since getting hit by a pitch Friday against the Red Sox, but manager Aaron Boone suggested Drury would have been able to play Sunday if necessary. Following two days off to rest, Drury should get a full slate of at-bats Monday as he prepares for a full-time role at third base this season.

Marte and the Diamondbacks agreed to an extension Monday, Robert Murray of FanRagSports.com reports.

The extension is for five years and $24 million and includes two option years worth a total of $22 million, bringing the potential total value to seven years and $46 million. The extension demonstrates the team's commitment to Marte, who appears to be in line for an everyday second base role. The 24-year-old has a .265/.319/.361 slash line in 249 career games, with eight homers and 22 steals. His fantasy appeal is limited by his lack of power, though he makes a lot of hard contact on the ground and could be in line for a breakout if some of those hard grounders become hard flyballs.

Andrus finished the Cactus League with a .412 batting average, .676 slugging percentage and 1.124 OPS over 34 at-bats.

Andrus had career highs in homers (20), doubles (44) and slugging (.471) in 2017 while posting his first 20-20 season. That surge continued this spring. Five of his 14 spring hits went for extra bases, including two home runs, suggesting last season's power spike was no fluke. The 29-year-old shortstop is smack-dab in the middle of prime years and is a threat to repeat in 2018.

Kemp was optioned to Triple-A Fresno on Saturday, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.

Kemp came up short in his bid for an Opening Day roster spot, as the Astros decided to go with fellow youngster Derek Fisher as their fourth outfielder instead. While the 26-year-old has impressed at Triple-A, hitting a combined .309/.368/.423 across three seasons there, there simply isn't room for him at the major-league level on the talent-rich Astros at this point. It would likely take a trade or injuries for him to see significant playing time with the big club in 2018.

Hernandez has made an effort to improve his approach against right-handed pitching this spring, Pedro Moura of The Athletic reports.

Known for hitting lefties well (.270/.364/.518 career slash line against southpaws), Hernandez has showed a significant improvement against righties this spring, smacking all four of his exhibition home runs off right-handed pitchers. While he'll still be considered a regular against lefties this season, the super-utility man's improved approach against same-handed hurlers could result in more than a platoon role at the keystone if Chase Utley struggles out of the gate while the infielders combine to fill in for Justin Turner (wrist).

Drury's X-rays on his left elbow didn't show any damage, Marc Carig of The Athletic reports.

The Yankees are officially listing Drury as day-to-day with an elbow contusion, but are hopeful that he won't miss an extended period of time. It remains to be seen whether the infielder will compete in any more games this spring, but he should be near full health for Opening Day against the Blue Jays on Thursday.

Drury will get X-rays on his left elbow after getting hit by a pitch in Friday's game, Marc Carig of The Athletic reports.

Drury stayed in the game immediately after being hit but then left Friday's contest with a trainer following a Neil Walker ground-rule double in the next at-bat. More information should be known regarding his status once the results of his X-rays are revealed.

Beckham was released by the Mariners on Friday, Ryan Divish of The Seattle Times reports.

Beckham will have a chance to pursue other opportunities after having a solid showing for Seattle this spring. The 31-year-old was signed to a minor-league deal this winter, but fell just shy of making the Opening Day roster as a utility man due to the similar skill sets of Andrew Romine and Taylor Motter. Beckham will likely return to the minors if and when he latches on with a different organization.