MLB Player News

Andrus (personal) is expected to be activated from the paternity list Saturday and start at shortstop later in the evening against the Angels, Sam Butler of MLB.com reports.

Andrus has been away with the team since Wednesday while awaiting the birth of his son, Elvis Jr. With Andrus having used the maximum three days to spend time with mother and child, he'll report back to the Rangers for the team's final two contests before the All-Star break. After finishing fourth in the American League balloting for the Esurance MLB All-Star Game Final Vote, it looks like Andrus, who owns a career-best .820 OPS this season, will be denied a third All-Star appearance unless he receives the call as an injury replacement.

Giavotella is starting at second base and hitting eighth Saturday against Minnesota.

Jonathan Schoop will move over to shortstop as manager Buck Showalter continues to experiment with his starting second baseman. Giavotella will be the beneficiary, receiving his first start as an Oriole after logging 228 games with the Angels over the last two seasons.

Polanco is not in the starting lineup Saturday against the Orioles, LaVelle E. Neal III of the Minneapolis Star Tribune reports.

Polanco has been ice cold at the plate recently, hitting just .107/.167/.179 over his last seven games, so he heads to the bench for the second time in the last five contests. Ehire Adrianza will take over at shortstop and bat seventh against probable Baltimore starter Wade Miley.

Altuve, as expected, is not in the starting lineup Saturday against the Blue Jays.

Manager A.J. Hinch said Altuve would get a rest day Saturday, and that's exactly the case. Marwin Gonzalez will fill in at second base and bat fifth, pushing Josh Reddick into the No. 2 hole. Altuve has recorded three hits in four consecutive games, raising his season OPS to a blistering .950.

Altuve will get the day off Saturday, Keegan Matheson of MLB.com reports.

Altuve recorded his fourth consecutive three-hit game Friday against Toronto and is now hitting a brilliant .342/.410/.539. He has taken just four days off all season and just one since May 14th, so he'll get a chance to rest before heading off to take part in the All-Star Game festivities.

Altuve went 3-for-5 with a run scored in Friday's 12-2 win over the Blue Jays.

Since moving to the second spot in the batting order four games ago, Altuve has blown up, going 12-for-20 and producing three hits in each game. Altuve's added five runs and seven RBI during that run.

Semien (wrist) went 1-for-4 with a walk, a stolen base and two runs in Thursday's 7-4 win over the Mariners.

Semien wasted no time getting back into the swing of things in his first game action since April 14, even getting the green light on the basepaths. The 26-year-old had been scuffling at the plate before his injury, but had only logged 35 official at-bats before being sidelined. With what Semien and the team hope will be a much more extended sample in front of him, the slugging shortstop will look to get back to the type of production he proved capable of in a breakout 2016 campaign (56 extra-base hits, 75 RBI).

Giavotella's contract was selected from Triple-A Norfolk on Thursday.

Although it's not saying much, Giavotella has been having an excellent season with the Tides. He's batting .306 while walking nearly as often as he strikes out (34:41 BB:K). He'll forego his Triple-A All Star selection to head to the majors to provide some infield depth off the bench. To make room for him on the active roster, Jayson Aquino was optioned to Triple-A and David Washington was designated for assignment.

Semien (wrist) was reinstated from the disabled list Thursday.

As anticipated, the 26-year-old shortstop will resume his regular duties for the Athletics ahead of Thursday's series opener with the Mariners. Semien did miss a good chunk of time due to this injury, so it wouldn't be surprising to see the Athletics ease him back into action. Once he does get back to full duty, however, he'll likely take over as the primary shortstop and knock Franklin Barreto to the bench. To make room for him on the active roster, Jharel Cotton (finger) was sent to the disabled list and Andrew Triggs (hip) was moved to the 60-day DL.

Altuve went 3-for-5 with a double, two runs scored, an RBI and a stolen base in Wednesday's 10-4 win over the Braves.

It's his second straight three-hit performance, extending his on-base streak to 13 games, and Altuve now has five steals in his last seven games and 17 on the year, putting him on pace for his sixth straight season with 30 or more.