MLB Player News

Astros general manager Dana Brown said Tuesday that Abreu is not with the MLB club and will be optioned to the Astros' rookie-level Florida Complex League affiliate Wednesday, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports.

The 37-year-old has struggled to a .099/.156/.113 slash line in 77 plate appearances through the first month of the season, so he'll voluntarily head to Houston's FCL affiliate in an attempt to "get some at-bats and his timing back right," per Brown. It will be the first time in the minors for Abreu, as he immediately joined the White Sox after coming up from Cuba in 2014 and has never had a minor-league rehab assignment.

Busch is not in the lineup for Tuesday's game versus the Mets.

Southpaw Sean Manaea is on the hill for the Mets, so the left-handed hitting Busch will take a seat. Patrick Wisdom will occupy first base for the Cubs on Tuesday.

Burger (oblique) will begin a rehab assignment with Triple-A Jacksonville on Wednesday, Christina De Nicola of MLB.com reports.

Burger has been upping his workouts and is ready to play in some games now. The infielder has been on the shelf for the last two weeks with a left intercostal strain. Burger shouldn't need too many rehab games before rejoining the Marlins' active roster.

Walsh signed a minor-league contract with the White Sox on Tuesday, LaMond Pope of the Chicago Tribune reports.

Walsh elected free agency after being removed from the Rangers' 40-man roster earlier this month. The 30-year-old hit just .226/.317/.321 with one home run through 60 plate appearances with Texas. He'll go to extended spring training for now before eventually reporting to Triple-A Charlotte, where he'll give the White Sox some veteran protection at first base.

The Rockies returned Toglia to Triple-A Albuquerque on Monday.

Toglia was up as the 27th man for the Rockies' two-game series over the weekend in Mexico City versus the Astros but didn't see any action. He's slashed just .106/.143/.362 across 49 big-league plate appearances this season.

Encarnacion-Strand (hand) was available off the bench for Monday's 5-2 win over the Padres, Mark Sheldon of MLB.com reports.

Encarnacion-Strand, who sat out a second consecutive game, underwent a precautionary MRI on Monday. The results of the imaging were not yet known at game time, but manager David Bell considered the first baseman available if needed.

Santana went 1-for-4 with a two-run home run during Monday's 3-2 win over the White Sox.

Santana went yard once again Monday, tallying his fourth long ball in his last five games with a two-run homer off Garrett Crochet in the second inning. He's been on an absolute tear in his last five outings, batting .333 with 10 RBI. Despite the hot streak, Santana owns a poor .185/.265/.348 slash line through 102 plate appearances.

Encarnacion-Strand (hand) underwent a precautionary MRI on Monday, Gordon Wittenmyer of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

Encarnacion-Strand has been held out of each of his club's last two games while dealing with soreness in his left hand, and the team sent him for further imaging Monday to make sure he's not dealing with anything serious. "He's feeling better, but we're just making sure," said manager David Bell. Encarnacion-Strand will continue to be considered day-to-day heading into Tuesday.

Schanuel isn't in the starting lineup for Monday's matchup versus Philadelphia, Rhett Bollinger of MLB.com reports.

Schanuel went 2-for-3 with a solo home run Sunday in a loss to the Twins, but he'll head to the bench Monday while Brandon Drury gets a start at first base. This will be Schanuel's first time out of the starting lineup since April 19.

The Astros confirmed that they will select Loperfido's contract from Triple-A Sugar Land on Tuesday, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports.

Loperfido earned his first promotion to the big leagues by slashing .287/.393/.713 with 13 home runs and five stolen bases in his first 25 games with Sugar Land this season. He also had a 30.3 percent strikeout rate, and contact has often been an issue for the 24-year-old throughout his time in the minors. However, with Jose Abreu performing so poorly at first base, the Astros appear willing to give Loperfido a look at the position even if strikeouts are abundant. Loperfido can also play the outfield, and he could be an option for at-bats there, as well, if the Astros elect to cut the playing time of Mauricio Dubon and/or Jake Meyers.