MLB Player News

The Blue Jays optioned Clement to Triple-A Buffalo on Monday.

Clement has had a couple stints with the Blue Jays this season but has logged just nine plate appearances. He'll return to a utility role at Buffalo.

Jones was optioned to Triple-A Nashville on Monday, Curt Hogg of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reports.

Jones fared well during his week with the big club, but he wasn't playing much and will now return to the minors. The Brewers will announce a corresponding move prior to the start of the second half.

Kemp went 1-for-4 with a stolen base and a walk in a loss to the Red Sox on Sunday.

The veteran found his way back atop the order and hit safely for the seventh time in the last nine games. Kemp's steal, his fourth over that span, also brought him to within two of tying the career-best 11 he swiped a year ago. While he enters the All-Star break with his batting average just under the Mendoza Line at .197, the 31-year-old will begin the second half trending in the right direction after producing a .306/.375/.458 slash line with a double, two triples, two home runs and seven RBI across the 82 plate appearances covering his last 21 games.

Massey went 3-for-4 with a two-RBI triple in Sunday's win over the Guardians.

Massey recorded his first three-hit game of the season and the second of his career. He helped give the Royals some breathing room with a two-run triple in the sixth to put them up 4-1 and head into the All-Star break on a high note. Prior to Sunday's outing, Massey had gone just 1-for-12 in four games since coming off the injured list and is now slashing .220/.277/.320 with 11 extra-base hits, 22 RBI, 15 runs and a 14:62 BB:K in 220 plate appearances.

Julien went 2-for-4 with a solo home run and an RBI double in Sunday's 15-2 loss to the Orioles.

Julien accounted for half of the Twins' hits and all of their run production. The second baseman has three homers and two doubles over his last five games. He's at a respectable .271/.349/.504 slash line with seven homers, 13 RBI, 19 runs scored, 10 doubles and a stolen base through 153 plate appearances. Jorge Polanco (hamstring) is likely out another week, so Julien should maintain a strong-side platoon role at second base early in the second half.

Vargas was optioned to Triple-A Oklahoma City on Sunday, Bill Plunkett of The Orange County Register reports.

The Dodgers' top prospect entering the season, Vargas is slashing .146/.273/.293 with two home runs and one steal in 29 games since June 1. His 21 percent strikeout rate and 13 percent walk rate are right in line with expectations, but he has been a bit unlucky on balls in play this season (.224 BABIP) and could maybe use a mental reset. Chris Taylor (knee) is expected to be activated from the injured list after the All-Star break.

Astros general manager Dana Brown said Sunday that Altuve (oblique) is healing faster than anticipated, but the second baseman isn't expected to be activated from the 10-day injured list when first eligible July 14, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports.

Brown's comments came after Altuve was able to take grounders at second base prior to Sunday's game against the Mariners, per Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports. Though the GM didn't put a firm target date on Altuve's return from the IL, Brown suggested that the eight-time All-Star is about a week behind slugger Yordan Alvarez (oblique) in their respective recovery programs. Alvarez is expected to begin a rehab assignment shortly after the All-Star break, so if all goes well in Altuve's recovery over the next week, the 33-year-old could be cleared to join a minor-league affiliate the week after. Mauricio Dubon should continue to handle the keystone on an everyday basis until Altuve is deemed ready to return from the IL.

President of baseball operations Derek Falvey said Sunday he hopes Polanco (hamstring) will be able to begin a rehab assignment with Triple-A St. Paul "around next weekend," Betsy Helfand of the St. Paul Pioneer Press reports.

The 30-year-old returned to baseball activities in late June and is hoping to ramp up his running program this week, which could be the final hurdle before being cleared for game action. Polanco landed on the shelf June 10 with a hamstring strain and will likely require a handful of games in the minors before rejoining the Twins.

Kim (toe) is starting at second base and batting leadoff Sunday against the Mets, Jeff Sanders of The San Diego Union-Tribune reports.

The 27-year-old sat out Saturday after he jammed his right big toe during Friday's contest, but he'll return to action for the final game before the All-Star break. Kim has enjoyed a strong finish to the first half of the season with a .968 OPS, five homers and five steals in his past 21 games.

Dubon will start at second base and bat leadoff in Sunday's game against the Mariners.

Dubon will close out the Astros' first-half schedule with his 10th consecutive start. He made the first four of those starts at shortstop while Jeremy Pena dealt with neck tightness, but Dubon has since shifted over to second base as a replacement for the injured Jose Altuve (oblique). Additionally, Dubon has assumed Altuve's role as the Astros' table setter, as Dubon will lead off in a sixth straight game after going 5-for-21 with a triple, two RBI and a run scored in the prior five contests.