MLB Player News

Giavotella signed a minor-league contract with the White Sox on Saturday and will report to Double-A Birmingham.

Giavotella spent spring training with the Marlins but failed to earn a roster spot and was released from Triple-A New Orleans in early May. The 30-year-old struggled with a .214/.389/.250 slash line in 28 at-bats for New Orleans and should serve as organizational infield depth with his new organization.

Semien went 2-for-6 with a double, a run scored and four RBI in Friday's 10-5 win over the Yankees.

The A's leadoff hitter came into the game with only one RBI in his prior 14 contests, but the bottom of the order was able to provide Semien with plenty of run-producing opportunities on a night when every player in the Oakland lineup got at least one hit. The 27-year-old now carries a .265/.318/.383 slash line on the season.

Manager Aaron Boone said Drury (impaired vision) is "not all the way there yet" and won't return during the club's upcoming road trip that lasts until May 25, Coley Harvey of ESPN reports.

Though general manager Brian Cashman stated earlier this week that Drury could return "sooner rather than later", it appears as though that is no longer the case, at least when it comes to his return at the major-league level. Considering Drury's minor-league rehab assignment expires Tuesday, it's not yet clear what the Yankees intend to do. Either way, with the success of Miguel Andujar at third base and Gleyber Torres at the keystone, the team will have to make some difficult roster decisions once Drury is ready to re-enter the fold.

Altuve went 3-for-4 with two doubles, a stolen base and a run scored in Wednesday's 4-1 win over Oakland.

The stolen base was the second of the season, which is atypical behavior out of the second baseman, who has averaged 37 steals over the previous six seasons. As for Altuve's slugging -- the other area where he's experienced a noticeable dip in 2018 -- he's racked up five extra-base hits over his last 26 at-bats after compiling just seven over his first 131 at-bats.

Estrada (undisclosed) was placed on the minor-league disabled list Wednesday.

Estrada missed the first two weeks of the season with a hip injury, but it's unclear if his current injury is related as specifics remain unclear. The move is backdated to Tuesday, so he'll be eligible to return May 15 if he proves ready. The 22-year-old was hitting just .152/.176/.182 through eight games with Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre before landing on the DL for a second time this season.

Semien went 2-for-3 with a walk and two runs in a loss to the Astros on Tuesday.

Semien did his part out of the top of the order, extending his hitting streak to five games. Although he's been productive, the 27-year-old shortstop's bat has been a bit light on pop lately. Semien has only mustered one extra-base hit -- a double -- over his first eight games of May, and he hasn't homered since April 23, a span of 13 contests.

Alvarez was sent back to Double-A Frisco on Tuesday.

Alvarez was up for just one day and did not get into a major-league game. He was sent right back down when Adrian Beltre (hamstring) was activated from the disabled list. Alvarez is hitting just .196/.290/.299 for Frisco, making him an unlikely candidate for a long-term promotion.

Yankees general manager Brian Cashman said Monday that Drury (blurred vision) could return from the 10-day disabled list "sooner rather than later," though an exact date wasn't specified, Mike Mazzeo of the New York Daily News reports.

Drury, who recently shifted his rehab assignment to Double-A Trenton, has appeared in 12 minor-league games since April 25 for two different affiliates, going a collective 14-for-39 (.359 average) with a home run in those contests. The strong showing at the plate seemingly suggests that Drury's bout with impaired vision and migraines is no longer much of a concern, but the Yankees have had little incentive to rush the veteran back with rookie Miguel Andujar thriving while logging regular at-bats at third base. Once Drury is back from the DL, manager Aaron Boone could face some tough lineup decisions, as Drury won't have a clear path to playing time at the keystone either with top prospect Gleyber Torres shining in an everyday role at that position since earning a promotion April 22.

Alvarez was recalled from Double-A Frisco on Monday.

This comes as a bit of a surprise, as the 23-year-old hasn't seen any time above the Double-A level in his career. Alvarez's stats with the RoughRiders this season are also less than stellar, as he's hitting just .196 with 35 strikeouts in 107 at-bats. He'll likely fill a reserve role in the big leagues. Drew Robinson (hip) was placed on the disabled list to clear a spot on the active roster for him.

Ngoepe cleared waivers Monday and was outrighted to Triple-A Buffalo.

Ngoepe was available for any team to claim, but a 28-year-old utility infielder with a career .181/.272/.236 line doesn't make for a particularly appealing player. He'll head back to the minors and could be back up as needed throughout the season, though he shouldn't be expected to have much fantasy relevance if and when he does return.