MLB Player News

Walker (hand) is starting at first base and hitting cleanup Friday against the Rays.

He exited Wednesday's game after getting hit on the hand by a pitch, but X-rays were negative and he just needed one day off before getting back in the mix. Walker is hitting .229 with three home runs in 25 games this month.

Guerrero went 1-for-4 with a two-run home run in Thursday's rout of the A's.

The majestic second-inning blast over the left-field fence came off Jacob Lopez, and while it only traveled 399 feet, the ball reached a height of 136 feet after leaving Guerrero's bat with an eye-popping launch angle of 37 degrees. It was Guerrero's eighth homer of the year and his fourth in the last 14 games -- a stretch in which he's slashing .240/.367/.480 with six RBI, nine runs and a 9:4 BB:K.

Walker (hand) isn't in the lineup for Thursday's game against the Rays.

Walker had to make an early departure from Wednesday's contest after taking a pitch off his right hand. X-rays came back negative after the game, but the team will give him a day to recover from any lingering soreness that might still be bothering him. As a result, Victor Caratini will fill in at first base Thursday and bat fourth.

Alexander isn't in the lineup for Thursday's game versus Toronto.

After making back-to-back starts at first base in the absence of Nick Kurtz (hip) and going 0-for-6 with three strikeouts, Alexander will grab a seat on the bench Thursday. His absence will put Logan Davidson at first base and ninth in the Athletics' batting order.

X-rays on Walker's right hand came back negative after he was hit by a pitch during Wednesday's game against the Athletics, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.

Walker remained in the game immediately after getting plunked in the fourth inning but was eventually replaced in the sixth. He appears to have escaped the incident without suffering any significant damage, so while the Astros may give him a day or two off to recover, he shouldn't need to miss extended time.

Walker was removed from Wednesday's game against the A's after being hit by a pitch on his right hand, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports.

The first baseman initially stayed in the game after being struck by a 96-mph fastball during the fourth inning, but he was replaced by a pinch hitter two frames later. The specifics of the injury remain unclear, and Walker will likely undergo medical imaging to determine the severity of the issue.

The Rangers optioned Crim to Triple-A Round Rock on Wednesday.

Crim was called up from Round Rock on Monday but didn't see any game action. He'll yield his spot on the 26-man roster to Corey Seager (hamstring), who's being activated from the 10-day injured list. Crim has logged a .905 OPS in 180 plate appearances at Triple-A.

Torkelson is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Giants.

Torkelson will get a rest day for the series finale against San Francisco, taking a seat for the first time in 12 games. In his place, Colt Keith will play first base while Gleyber Torres slides to second base and Riley Greene serves as the DH.

Santana started at first base and went 2-for-3 with a walk and two runs scored in Tuesday's 9-5 loss to the Dodgers.

Santana was back in the lineup after missing two games due to a leg injury. He picked up where he left off prior to the injury, extending his hitting streak to seven games, during which the 39-year-old is 10-for-24 with two doubles, two home runs, six walks, six RBI and eight runs scored.

Manager Mark Kotsay said Tuesday that Alexander is a candidate to fill in at first base while Nick Kurtz (hip) is on the injured list, Steve Schaeffer of MLB.com reports.

Before being recalled from Triple-A Las Vegas on Friday, Alexander had been slashing .252/.350/.516 with 10 homers and 32 RBI across 180 plate appearances in the minors. Since joining the big club, the 28-year-old has gone 2-for-6 in three games and drew the start at first base during Tuesday's 11-1 loss against Houston. Kotsay also mentioned Logan Davidson as an option to fill in for Kurtz at first base, so Alexander may not have sole possession of the starting job, but that could change if his minor-league numbers translate nicely in the bigs.