Marcus Semien Absent From Lineup In Game 2 Of Doubleheader
Marcus Semien will get the contest off for Game 2 of Saturday’s doubleheader versus Seattle and right-hander Justin Dunn. Nate Orf will take over at shortstop in his place, with Semien being rested ahead of Tuesday’s Wild Card series. Semien has slumped over his past seven games, having gone without a home run since Sept. 14. He has taken a sizable step back in production during 2020 (.686 OPS), yet remains an integral part of the top of the lineup heading into the postseason. Managers can expect him back in the mix Sunday.
Source: MLB
Oakland Athletics shortstop Source: MLB
Marcus Semien Dropped To Five-Hole On Tuesday
Marcus Semien is being dropped to fifth in the batting order for Tuesday's contest against the hosting Athletics and right-hander Osvaldo Bido. It's the first time that Semien has hit lower than third in the lineup since joining the Rangers back in 2022, and it comes with Semien entering Tuesday's tilt with a .141/.209/.192 slash line, only one home run, six RBI and five runs scored in his first 78 at-bats of the 2025 season. The good news, though, is that he has recorded a hit in four of his last five games. With the 34-year-old veteran moving down the batting order temporarily, utility man Josh Smith will start in center field and bat leadoff for a Rangers offense that is looking to shake things up. Fantasy managers can only hope the drop in the batting order can get Semien going. He has a hit in just two career at-bats against Bido.
Source: MLB.com
Texas Rangers second baseman Source: MLB.com
Marcus Semien Back On Thursday
Marcus Semien (illness) is back at second base and batting leadoff on Thursday in the Cactus League game against the San Francisco Giants. A stomach bug is going around the Rangers' clubhouse in camp, and the 34-year-old veteran wasn't feeling good enough to play on Wednesday. He's now back in there a day later and is hoping to pick it up offensively with Opening Day just several weeks away. In 12 spring games to this point, Semien has gone 6-for-32 (.188) with two home runs, a triple, three RBI and three runs scored in 34 plate appearances. It was a down year for him at the plate last year, too, by his standards as he slashed .237/.308/.391 with 23 home runs, 74 RBI and eight steals in 159 games. Semien's underlying metrics didn't dip, though, so he's still a strong second base target in fantasy that has been one of the most durable players in the league.
Source: Texas Rangers PR
Texas Rangers second baseman Source: Texas Rangers PR
Marcus Semien Scratched With Stomach Virus
Marcus Semien (illness) was scratched from Wednesday's Cactus League lineup against the Cincinnati Reds due to "a little stomach virus," manager Bruce Bochy said. Sam Haggerty is replacing Semien in the starting lineup at second base and will bat seventh. Semien is a bit under the weather but should be fine in a few days. The 34-year-old has gone just 6-for-32 (.188) with two homers, a triple, three RBI and five strikeouts in 12 Cactus League games to this point, but fantasy managers shouldn't read too much into it. Although Semien disappointed fantasy managers in 2024, his underling metrics really didn't waver, giving him plenty of bounce-back potential in a strong Rangers lineup. He's also been one of the most durable players in the game. Semien is ranked as RotoBaller's No. 6 fantasy second baseman.
Source: Dallas Morning News - Shawn McFarland
Texas Rangers second baseman Source: Dallas Morning News - Shawn McFarland
Rangers Could Look To Rest Marcus Semien More
Marcus Semien has been an iron man in his career. In his 12-year major-league career, he has played a full 162 games three times and played at least 155 games an additional five times. Semien played in 162 games in 2023 and 159 games last year. The last time he played fewer than 159 games in a full season was with the A's in 2017, when he played in 85 games due to a wrist injury. Semien is entering his age-34 season, though, and hit .237/.308/.391 in 2024, his worst offensive season since the COVID-shortened 2020 campaign. Manager Bruce Bochy said the team has discussed giving Semien some built-in off days and also moving him around in the batting order. Semien's underlying metrics were on par with his recent seasons, so a bounce-back is entirely possible, especially if some more rest days give him more juice for the entire season.
Source: MLB.com - Kennedi Landry
Texas Rangers second baseman Source: MLB.com - Kennedi Landry
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