MLB Player News

Angels designated hitter C.J. Cron is not in the starting lineup for Saturday's game against the Astros.

Cron has seen action in each of his team's previous matchups with lefties, but he'll take a seat Saturday despite lefty Dallas Keuchel's presence on the mound for the Astros. David Freese will server as the designated hitter, with Taylor Featherston sliding into the lineup at third base.

The Angels are slight favorites (-106) against the Astros, per VegasInsider.com.

Josh Donaldson and Chris Colabello connected for solo home runs in the Blue Jays' rout of the Red Sox on Friday.

Donaldson delivered a first-inning solo shot while Colabello added a bases-empty blast in the second.

Right fielder Chris Colabello connected for his first home of the season Friday in the Blue Jays' win over the Red Sox.

Colabello's homer was a second-inning solo shot.

Angels DH C.J. Cron is mired in a 2-for-26 slump. Manager Mike Scioscia benched him for one game on Thursday as he tries to help Cron make his way out of the cold spell.

"We’ve really tried to get him enough playing time to find his swing, but also giving him time to work on some stuff, mixing some guys in and out of the lineup," said Scioscia, per the Orange County Register. "We need him. We need his bat. We need his power. Hopefully he’ll start to get comfortable in the batters box and start being productive."

White Sox first baseman Jose Abreu may move to third base to keep DH Adam LaRoche in the lineup for interleague games. 

Abreu hasn't played third in more than five years, but the White Sox have discussed the option. 

"There’s a possibility of that," manager Robin Ventura said, per CSN Chicago. "He can do it. … It might not be his best position but he can play. So if we need that offense to stay in there with LaRoche, we can move him over to third base. I’m not afraid to do that."

Indians first baseman Carlos Santana hit a solo home run during Thursday's 7-4 loss to the Royals. 

Santana finished the game 1 for 3 with a strikeout. He also drew a walk. Santana now holds a slash line of .242/.402/.396. The home run was Santana's fourth of the season. 

Tim Beckham will make just his third start in the last eight games, as he will be the starting shortstop on Thursday when the Rays take on the Rangers. Beckham, who is batting seventh for manager Kevin Cash, has just six hits in his last 26 at-bats.

Beckham is starting in place of Asdrubal Cabrera, who has just two hits over his last seven games.

Astros first baseman Chris Carter recorded his fourth home run of the season in Wednesday's 11-3 loss to the Rangers. 

Carter crushed a two-run homer over the right field wall in the bottom of the ninth inning. The home run scored Luis Valbuena. Carter finished the game 1 for 3 and also drew a walk. He's now hitting .152/.257/.293 for the season. 

Blue Jays left fielder Chris Colabello went 4 for 4 with a double, one RBI, two runs scored and one stolen base in his team's 5-1 win over the Yankees Wednesday.

Colabello had a nice debut Tuesday, going 2 for 4 with a double, one RBI and one run, and he came through in an even bigger way Wednesday. The outfielder/first baseman delivered excellent production before his promotion, hitting .337/.421/.554 with five home runs and 18 RBI in 83 at-bats with Triple-A Buffalo. If this continues, he could force himself into regular playing time in Toronto.

Blue Jays outfielder Michael Saunders and utility man Danny Valencia are out of the starting lineup again Wednesday against the Yankees, the team announced. 

Saunders has missed the last two games for Toronto after having his knee drained on Monday. Chris Colabello will draw his second start in right. Valencia will miss his second straight game with an ankle sprain.