MLB Player News

Gurriel went 3-for-4 with two doubles, a run scored and an RBI in Friday's 6-3 win over the Rays. He's scored and driven in a run in each of the last three games.

Gurriel's offense started to pick up even before this recent three-game run. After starting the season 2-for-21 over his first six games, the Cuban has hit .500 (13-for-26) with five extra-base hits over the next eight. Gurriel told Jake Kaplan of the Houston Chronicle that he'd been swinging at some bad pitches but is now working in the zone.

Olson was recalled from Triple-A Nashville on Friday.

A top-10 prospect in the organization, he is set for his second career major-league stint. Olson mostly struggled after being called up last year in September, going just 2-for-21, although he did draw seven walks against four strikeouts. He is not in the lineup Friday and it's uncertain how much he will play while with the big club.

Diaz was optioned to Triple-A Columbus on Friday, Paul Hoynes of Cleveland.com reports.

Diaz leveraged an outstanding spring performance to land an Opening Day roster spot, but with Jason Kipnis returning from the disabled list, there was simply no room at the inn for Diaz to remain in Cleveland. The 25-year-old will head back to Columbus, where he batted .325 with 22 doubles last season.

Santana went 3-for-5 with two doubles, two RBI and a run during Thursday's win over Minnesota.

While it's been a mediocre start for Santana (.254/.315/.433 slash line), he's gone 9-for-24 with three runs, two doubles, a home run and seven RBI over his past five games. Additionally, leading off hasn't hurt his RBI opportunities and improves his upside to score runs. It's also a boon in daily contests. With a career .364 on-base percentage entering Thursday, Santana has more value in leagues that count OBP.

Gurriel is out of Thursday's lineup against the Angels.

He is hitting .279, but has just two extra-base hits and one home run through 43 at-bats. The Astros will opt to keep Marwin Gonzalez's bat in the lineup against righty Matt Shoemaker following the return of Carlos Correa, but Gurriel still figures to get the start at first base most days going forward.

Abreu went 3-for-4 with two doubles and an RBI in Wednesday's 9-1 loss to the Yankees.

Abreu entered Wednesday's game with a .380 OPS and had been 2-for-31 in the first eight games of the White Sox's road trip. So, having the slugger snap out of his funk, even a little bit, was an encouraging sign for manager Rick Renteria.

Calhoun is not in the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Astros, Maria Guardado of MLB.com reports.

This is hardly a surprise considering the Angels are facing a tough lefty in Dallas Keuchel and Calhoun is coming off another 0-fer Tuesday -- a four-strikeout showing against Houston. Calhoun's average has dropped nearly 100 points (from .316 to .218) over the course of the last five games. He is 1-for-12 against southpaws so far after batting .290/.366/.465 against left-handed pitching last season.

Calhoun had a rough day at the plate Tuesday, going 0-for-5 with four strikeouts in a 5-2 win over Houston.

After a hot start to the season, the 29-year-old's bat has gone ice-cold recently. Calhoun has failed to record a hit in his last 17 at-bats, watching his batting average dip to .218 in the process. He has too much of a recent track record to simply be dumped this early in the season, so owners should ride out the slump or simply bench the outfielder until he turns things around.

Gurriel went 2-for-4 with a double and a solo home run in Tuesday's 5-2 loss to the Angels.

He came out of the gate slowly, but the 32-year-old Cuban has now collected nine hits in his last six games to push his slash line on the season up to a semi-respectable .268/.286/.390. With A.J. Reed hitting just .238 in Triple-A, Gurriel's starting role at first base seems secure.

Carter is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Cardinals.

The Yankees will go with the left-handed Jacoby Ellsbury at designated hitter against righty Adam Wainwright for Sunday's series finale. Carter is slashing .182/.240/.273 with no home runs through his first 22 at-bats of the season. He'll have a chance to draw back into the lineup Monday against southpaw Derek Holland.