MLB Player News

Astros first baseman Chris Carter went 1 for 3 at the plate in Houston's 7-6 win over the Mariners on Sunday. 

Carter did his damage in the third when he ripped a two-run blast off of J.A. Happ over the left field wall, his third of the season. Carter boosted his average to .159 with eight RBI in 82 at-bats.

The White Sox are off to an 8-13 start to the season, but Jose Abreu came to the defense of manager Robin Ventura. 

"If the people want someone to blame, it's the players. Not Robin," Abreu said, per the Chicago Sun Times. 

The White Sox left two regulars out of the lineup on Sunday and moved another to DH to give him a day's rest from playing the field. 

Catcher Tyler Flowers is out of the lineup. For the third time in five games, he'll be replaced by Geovany Soto, who will bat eighth in the order. 

Third baseman Conor Gillaspie is also out of the starting lineup, for just the fifth time this year. He's replaced by Gordon Beckham, who'll bat seventh. 

Jose Abreu moves from first base to DH, swapping positions with Adam LaRoche, who gets his third start of the year at first base. 

Rays shortstop Asdrubal Cabrera was not in the starting lineup for Sunday's game, just the third time this season he's missed a start. 

Tim Beckham will make his fourth start at short in Cabrera's place, batting seventh in the lineup. 

Joey Butler , just called up from Triple-A, is in the lineup, batting fifth and playing DH. 

First baseman Chris Carter is out of the Astros' lineup Saturday against the Mariners with Marwin González getting the start instead.

Carter has started at first base 20 of the Astros' 23 games this season.

With Jed Lowrie recently placed on the disabled list, Jonathan Villar will make his second straight start at shortstop on Saturday.

"Villar played very good shortstop (Friday)," manager A.J. Hinch said to the Houston Chronicle. "I want to keep him in the mix. I wanted Marwin to face Walker. He's had limited time against him, but he's had a little bit of success. We have to keep our guys fresh. One of the downsides of carrying 12 position players is the lack of rest you can get your guys. There's only three bench players, especially with (Evan) Gattis being the primary DH.

"So when I can get Carter off his feet for a day and it matches up well with Villar and Gonzo that’s good."

Despite Albert Pujols' return to the lineup on Saturday, Angels right fielder Kole Calhoun remains in the cleanup spot, indicating this could be a permanent move, reports the Orange County Register.

Calhoun had been batting leadoff this season but shifted to fourth when Pujols sat Thursday and Friday to rest his hamstring.

"When we get things rolling with a lineup going one to nine and the bottom of the order getting on base like they did last year, Kole is a great fit as a leadoff hitter," Scioscia said. "But if you want to talk specifically about the lineup today, you want to try to get Kole hitting, taking advantage of whatever Mike or Albert can set up for him."

First baseman Albert Pujols (hamstring) will return to the Angels' lineup Saturday in San Fransico after missing two games with a hamstring issue.

Pujols exited Wednesday's game with the injury and sat out Thursday's and Friday's contest.

The move will shift center fielder Mike Trout back to the second spot in the lineup while Kole Calhoun stays in the cleanup role.

During Pujols' two-game absence, second baseman Johnny Giavotella moved from ninth to leadoff but will bat seventh on Saturday for the first time this season.

Making the adjustment this season as the team's full-time first baseman, the Astros' Chris Carter credits first base coach Rich Dauer and bench coach Trey Hillman with assisting him in the transition, per the Houston Chronicle.

“Richie and Trey have been there helping me out since spring training putting the reps in and being at first base every day and working with me,” Carter said. “Their dedication and being out there working with me every day has helped.”

Carter has started 19 of the Astros' 23 games at first base this season while only starting 14 times at first in 2014.

With Albert Pujols sidelined Thursday, the Angels moved Kole Calhoun to the cleanup spot, according to MLB.com. Mike Trout was moved from second to third, while Erick Aybar was inserted to the leadoff spot, with Johnny Giavotella moving from ninth to second.

Calhoun, who was the team's leadoff hitter 17 of the first 21 games, is hitting .406 (13 for 32) with six runs scored, two homers, five RBI four walks and six strikeouts over his last his last eight games, raising his batting average from .222 to .309 over that span.

Astros first baseman Chris Carter hit a two-run homer off Padres pitcher Odrisamer Despaigne during a 14-3 win Tuesday. He finished 2 for 3 with one walk.

Carter has hit safely in seven straight games. He is batting .346 (9 for 26) with one double, two home runs, six RBI, five runs, five walks and seven strikeouts in that span.