Twins' Tony Kemp: Receives MiLB deal from Minnesota
Rotowire
Kemp signed a minor-league contract with the Twins on Tuesday, Jon Heyman of the New York Post reports.
Kemp lost his job with the Orioles when they promoted Jackson Holliday, but he didn't have to wait long to find another gig. With the Twins dealing with a couple injuries in their infield between Royce Lewis (quad) and Carlos Correa (intercostal), Kemp will provide some added depth.
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Tony Kemp: Becomes free agent
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Kemp elected free agency Saturday, Rich Dubroff of BaltimoreBaseball.com reports.
After being pushed off the 40-man roster Wednesday in favor of top prospect Jackson Holliday, Kemp exercised his right to refuse an outright assignment and will now explore his options in free agency. The 32-year-old slashed .209/.303/.304 last season with the Athletics and could find work as a bench player for a team in need of depth at second base or in the outfield.
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Orioles' Tony Kemp: Cut from 40-man roster
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The Orioles designated Kemp for assignment Wednesday.
Kemp's removal from the 40-man roster opens a spot for top prospect Jackson Holliday, who was called up from Triple-A Norfolk in a corresponding move and is expected to take on a near-everyday role in the middle infield. Though he was able to crack the Orioles' Opening Day roster when he was signed shortly after being cut by the Reds in spring training, Kemp appeared in only five of Baltimore's first 10 games while going hitless in his nine at-bats.
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Orioles' Tony Kemp: Joins Baltimore on MLB deal
Rotowire
Kemp signed a one-year contract with the Orioles on Tuesday, Andy Kostka of TheBaltimoreBanner.com reports.
Kemp opted out of his minor-league deal with the Reds last week but has quickly caught on with a contender on a big-league contract. He will be an option to see some action at second base and left field, but he figures to ultimately settle into a reserve role.
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Tony Kemp: Released by Cincinnati
Rotowire
Kemp was released by the Reds on Tuesday.
Kemp had been re-assigned to minor-league camp and it appears he has exercised the opt-out clause in his contract. The 32-year-old will now be on the lookout for another gig and it's possible he could latch on with a major-league deal with a club looking for bench help.
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Reds' Tony Kemp: Sent to minor-league camp
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The Reds reassigned Kemp to minor-league camp Monday, Charlie Goldsmith of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.
With a lifetime .238/.325/.352 slash line (94 wRC+) over 2,237 career big-league plate appearances, Kemp was one of the more accomplished non-roster invitees who joined the Reds for camp, but he never had much of a chance at winning a spot on Cincinnati's Opening Day roster in light of the team's ample infield and outfield depth. If Kemp isn't willing to report to Triple-A Louisville to begin the season, the Reds could grant him his release and allow him to join an organization that can present him with a clearer path to a big-league roster spot.
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Reds' Tony Kemp: Signs NRI deal with Cincinnati
Rotowire
Kemp signed a minor-league contract with the Reds on Friday that includes an invitation to spring training, Jon Heyman of the New York Post reports.
The 32-year-old veteran was an above-average hitter in 2021 but slashed just .224/.306/.321 with the Athletics over the last two seasons. Kemp offers the ability to play second base and the outfield but seems an odd fit for a Cincinnati roster already teeming with position player options.
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Athletics' Tony Kemp: Absent again Saturday
Rotowire
Kemp (ankle) isn't in the starting lineup for Saturday's game against the Angels.
Kemp hasn't seen any action since Sept. 24 due to a right ankle sprain. It's unclear if he'll be available off the bench for Saturday's matchup.
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Athletics' Tony Kemp: Sitting again Friday
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Kemp (ankle) is out of the lineup again Friday versus the Angels.
This is the sixth straight absence for Kemp, who sprained his right ankle last Friday against the Tigers. JJ Bleday continues to man left field.
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Athletics' Tony Kemp: Out again Wednesday
Rotowire
Kemp (ankle) remains absent from the lineup Wednesday at Minnesota.
Kemp hasn't started a game for the Athletics since last Friday due to a right ankle sprain. JJ Bleday is patrolling left field Wednesday as Zack Gelof covers second base.
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Athletics' Tony Kemp: Out again Tuesday
Rotowire
Kemp (ankle) is out of the lineup for Tuesday's game against the Twins.
Kemp hasn't been in the lineup since Friday versus Detroit, when he exited the contest with an ankle sprain. However, the 31-year-old received an at-bat off the bench Sunday, so the injury doesn't appear to be a serious issue.
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Athletics' Tony Kemp: Pulled with ankle sprain
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Kemp was removed from Friday's game against the Tigers with a right ankle sprain, Martin Gallegos of MLB.com reports.
Kemp turned his ankle while advancing to second base on a Lawrence Butler single in the bottom of the sixth inning. He remained in the game initially and scored on a Shea Langeliers three-run homer, but Esteury Ruiz entered to play left field in the top of the seventh. Kemp should be considered day-to-day for the remainder of Oakland's weekend series versus Detroit.
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Athletics' Tony Kemp: Takes seat versus lefty
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Kemp is not in the lineup for Thursday's game against the Tigers.
Oakland is rolling out an all-right-handed lineup with Detroit throwing left-hander Tarik Skubal. Kemp has drawn only 17 plate appearances versus southpaws this year.
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Athletics' Tony Kemp: Out of lineup
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Kemp is not in the lineup Sunday versus the Padres.
Kemp will end up starting in only one game of the three-game series against the Padres. However, he did record an at-bat Sept. 15 when he did not start. A lefty started that game for the Padres, and their primary pitcher today seems to be lefty Ken Waldichuk with righty Joe Boyle as the opener. Esteury Ruiz will play in the left fielder's place.
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Athletics' Tony Kemp: Swipes bag, reaches three times
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Kemp went 2-for-3 with a stolen base in Saturday's loss to the Padres while also drawing a walk.
Kemp singled in each of his first two at-bats but was left stranded on each occasion as Oakland fell behind early. He later walked and swiped a bag, marking his third steal in his last seven games. It was also Kemp's first multi-hit game since Aug. 25, and he's still batting just .194 this month with one homer, three RBI and three runs scored following Saturday's performance.
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Athletics' Tony Kemp: Logs 14th steal
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Kemp went 1-for-4 with a stolen base in Sunday's 9-4 loss to the Rangers.
Kemp has picked up a steal in each of his last two games after going 29 contests without one. In that time, he's seen his once-steady playing time drop into more of a strong-side platoon role, and he hit just .227 during his dry spell on the basepaths. For the year, Kemp is slashing .215/.310/.308 with four home runs, 14 steals, 26 RBI and 40 runs scored over 388 plate appearances. With Zack Gelof commanding a starting role at second base, most of Kemp's playing time down the stretch will likely be in left field.
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Athletics' Tony Kemp: Sitting against lefty
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Kemp isn't in Oakland's lineup Friday against the Rangers.
Lefty Jordan Montgomery will toe the slab for Texas to begin Friday's contest, so Kemp will stay put in the Athletics' dugout. Aledmys Diaz will take over as Oakland's left fielder and bat fourth.
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Athletics' Tony Kemp: On bench versus southpaw
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Kemp is not in the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Blue Jays.
Ryan Noda is the only left-handed bat the Athletics have in there versus Toronto southpaw Hyun Jin Ryu. Brent Rooker will play left field while Kemp rests.
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Athletics' Tony Kemp: Delivers in pinch-hit capacity
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Kemp entered Sunday's win over the Angels as a pinch hitter in the seventh inning and delivered a two-run single in his only plate appearance.
Kemp stepped into the batter's box for Carlos Perez in the seventh inning and snapped a 4-4 tie with a single to center that brought home Zack Gelof, Ryan Noda and Brent Rooker, the latter on a throwing error. Kemp ended up at third base on the play and subsequently came across to score in his own right on a Shea Langeliers double, making it quite the eventful cameo. The veteran recently went through a brief 0-for-12 skid over a five-game span, but he's now hit safely in back-to-back games and sports a .323 average and .916 OPS across his last 14 contests overall.
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Athletics' Tony Kemp: Sits out against southpaw
Rotowire
Kemp is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Angels.
After starting in left field and leading off while going 1-for-4 at the dish in Saturday's 2-1 win, the lefty-hitting Kemp will retreat to the bench Sunday while the Halos bring southpaw Tyler Anderson to the hill. Aledmys Diaz will spell Kemp in left field while center fielder Esteury Ruiz serves as Oakland's table setter.
