MLB Player News

Chavis got experience during Fall Instructional camp and the Arizona Fall League at first base, Jim Callis of MLB.com reports.

Chavis restored his prospect luster in 2017 when he bashed 31 home runs and posted a .910 OPS in stops at High-A Salem and Double-A Portland. The former shortstop who transitioned to third base a couple of seasons ago is blocked at that position in Boston by Rafael Devers. As such, the organization is preparing Chavis for first base. He's not expected to reach the majors in 2018, but he's certain to reach Triple-A Pawtucket, if not start the season there.

Houston picked up its club option of $6 million for Altuve ahead of the 2018 season, Julia Morales of AT&T SportsNet reports.

No surprise here as the Astros will gladly pick up Altuve's modest contract for next season, with another club option on the horizon the following year as well ($6.5 million). During the regular season, Altuve hit .346/.410/.547 with 24 home runs and 81 RBI, and then helped the team bring a World Series title to Houston.

Torres (elbow) revealed on his Twitter account that he has resumed hitting.

Torres' 2017 campaign was cut short by an elbow injury that required Tommy John surgery, but he is now nearly four months removed from the procedure, and is seemingly progressing as hoped with his recovery. With him already feeling good enough to take swings, he should be ready to go when spring training kicks off next year.

Merrifield went 2-for-4 with a solo home run in Friday's 2-1 win over the Diamondbacks.

The long ball was Merrifield's 19th of the season, putting him just one shy of becoming the fourth second baseman in American League history to compile 20 home runs, 30 doubles and 30 stolen bases in a season. Even if Merrifield, who is also hitting .289 on the season, falls short of that achievement, he's still been a far greater fantasy contributor than his owners could have imagined coming out of spring training. Raul Mondesi scuffled early on as the team's everyday second baseman, allowing Merrifield to claim the starting gig. He never look back on his way to becoming one of the top fantasy options at the position.

Polanco is not in the lineup for Friday's game against the Tigers, according to Rhett Bollinger of MLB.com.

Polanco has started every game since Sept. 5 and played Thursday while several other Twins regulars rested, so manager Paul Molitor decided it was his turn for a day off Friday. Ehire Adrianza will get the start at shortstop in Polanco's place.

Altuve went 3-for-4 with a double and two runs scored in Thursday's 12-2 win at Fenway Park.

Altuve bolstered his AL MVP case with this three-hit effort, though Aaron Judge of the Yankees kept pace by mashing his 51st home run of the season over in New York. The diminutive second baseman is slashing .350/.415/.555 and ranks second in MLB to Colorado's Charlie Blackmon with 203 hits.

Andrus went 2-for-4 at the dish in Wednesday's 12-2 loss to the Astros.

With the Rangers eliminated from playoff contention, manager Jeff Banister has decided to shut down Andrus' regular mate on the left side of the infield, Adrian Beltre, for the remainder of the season, but it doesn't look like a similar fate will await the shortstop. Andrus, who has put together back-to-back two-hit games, has suited up in all but three of the Rangers' contests this season, and since his health seems to be on solid ground, he'll likely be given the leeway to continue playing through the weekend. The prospect of regular at-bats over the final four games will give Andrus a shot at besting the career-high .302 average he posted in 2016; he's currently sitting at .299 for the season.

Altuve went 1-for-4 with two runs scored in Wednesday's 12-2 win over Texas.

Altuve, who returned from a one-game absence due to a forearm injury, knocked his 200th hit of the season, making it four years in a row he's accomplished that feat. The Astros head into a season-ending four-game set in Boston with a chance to overtake Cleveland for the best record in the AL. That suggests Altuve will be in the lineup as long as they have a shot.

Semien went 1-for-4 with a solo home run in Tuesday's 6-3 loss to the Mariners.

Semien is seemingly making up for lost time as the season comes to a close, as he's now smacked a trio of round trippers in the last six contests, including in two straight. The slugging shortstop was robbed of nearly two months earlier this season due to a wrist injury, and he only notched five homers in the two months between his return and Sept. 6. His recent power surge has led to eight extra-base hits (four doubles, four homers) and a .351 wOBA over the 75 plate appearances he's seen across the subsequent 16 games.

Beckham went 2-for-4 with a run in Tuesday's 6-3 win over the Athletics.

The veteran drew his first start since having his contract purchased from Triple-A Tacoma on Sept. 2 and logged his first pair of hits in 2017 at the big-league level in the process. Beckham spent his season in the minors, hitting .262 with nine home runs and 45 RBI over 355 plate appearances. He may be in line for some starts during the Mariners' remaining games.