Semien had three hits and two runs on Wednesday night to up his average on the year to .298. Semien has been especially hot of late with 12 hits in his last seven games over 29 at-bats. Most importantly, after hitting near the bottom of the order for most of the season, Semien has hit first or second for the last five games.

Semien hit leadoff on Friday night and responded with his third home run on the year to go with two hits and two RBI. Semien has had a solid start to the year, hitting .279 with a .799 OPS over his first 68 at-bats. With Craig Gentry struggling, Semien could see more time at leadoff when the A's face a lefty, but will likely remain near the bottom of the order for now against righties. Semien has earned shortstop eligibility already this season and now has eligibility at three infield positions, adding to his fantasy value.

Semien went 0-for-3 in Tuesday's loss to the Rangers. Semien will serve as the primary shortstop this season and figures to slot in toward the bottom of the lineup. In two games, the 24-year-old is 1-for-7 with an RBI and two strikeouts.

Semien homered twice in Tuesday's spring game against the Giants. Semien is the favorite to win the every day shortstop role for the A's and today's debut will do nothing to hurt his cause. Even more impressive, one of the bombs came at the expense of Madison Bumgarner. Semien struggled last year in his time with the White Sox, but did have a nice September after being recalled, posting an .818 OPS over 66 at-bats. Semien's flexibility will have value in fantasy leagues as he is eligible at second and third base and should gain shortstop eligibility quickly once the season starts.

A's manager Bob Melvin said Tuesday that Semien will have every chance to win the starting shortstop job, John Hickey of the Bay Area News Group reports. Melvin confirmed the general belief that Semien is the favorite to start at shortstop on Opening Day. Of course, the A's have never shied away from using a slew of players to cover one position, and the team also has Eric Sogard and Andy Parrino competing for playing time at shortstop.

Semien is expected to be given every shot to win the A's starting shortstop position this spring, reports Jane Lee of MLB.com.Semien only hit .234/.300/.673 in his 2014 stint with the White Sox, but got on base at a nice clip in the minors when he was sent down (.380 OBP in 303 at-bats). Semien hit much better when he was recalled to the White Sox in 2014, posting an OPS of .818 with three homers in 66 September at-bats. Semien will be eligible at second base, shortstop and third base a few weeks into the season which adds nicely to his value.

The White Sox have agreed to trade Semien along with Chris Bassitt and a player to be named later to the A's in exchange for Jeff Samardzija, Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle reports. Semien, 24, has yet to flash much at the major league level, with a .240/.293/.380 batting line in 85 games, but he's displayed a discerning eye and strong on-base skills in the minors (.374 OBP), as well as 20-20 potential. The assumption is that Semien will step in as the starting shortstop right away, joining fellow trade acquisition Brett Lawrie to form a new-look left side of the infield in Oakland.

Semien hit his first homer since April 23 in Thursday's 1-0 win over the A's. It was his lone hit on the day and just his fifth hit in six games since being recalled from Triple-A. Semien's bele playing semi-regularly lately, having started three of Chicago's last four games. He made all three of those starts at different positions -- second, third and short.

Semien committed three errors as the White Sox's starting third baseman Tuesday. This was already his third start at third base since being recalled on Sept. 3, and he already has four errors at the position in that stretch. He has 12 errors total in 401.1 MLB innings across third, second base, and short, but his hitting in the minors (.881 OPS) will keep his name in the mix for an infield spot in 2015.

Semien was among the White Sox's roster additions Tuesday, the Chicago Sun-Times reports. Semien saw a good amount of time in the White Sox's infield for the first several weeks of the season, but the club opted to recall Carlos Sanchez first when Gordon Beckham was traded last week. He should be in line for utility work for the season's final weeks.