MLB Player News

Altuve went 1-for-3 with a solo home run, two runs and a stolen base during Saturday's loss to Tampa Bay.

Already up to nine runs and seven stolen bases with a .304 batting average and .380 on-base percentage, Altuve is kick-starting 2017 as expected. His power outburst last year will likely prove to be tough to duplicate, but his ability to reach base, post a high-end batting average, touch home plate and steal bases makes Altuve an elite fantasy asset.

Andrus is not in the lineup for Friday's contest with the Royals.

Andrus is batting below the Mendoza Line in his past seven games, so he'll head to the bench for a night off. Jurickson Profar will slide over to shortstop to fill the void while Delino DeShields Jr. takes over in left field for the evening.

Motter belted a two-run home run, doubled and scored in the Mariners' 9-6 loss to the Athletics on Thursday.

The utility infielder got back to his hot-hitting ways, and Motter now leads the team with a stellar 1.067 OPS. Although Jean Segura (hamstring) is expected to return from the disabled list early next week, given Motter's early success, it's hard to see the Mariners not making an effort to keep his hot bat in the lineup.

Semien (hand) was transferred to the 60-day disabled list Thursday.

This doesn't come as too much of a surprise, as the 26-year-old just had six screws inserted into his scaphoid bone to help repair a fracture. Semien will be reevaluated in six weeks, at which point there may be a clearer timetable for his return. He is eligible to come off the DL in mid June, though it remains uncertain whether he'll be activated then. In the meantime, Adam Rosales and Chad Pinder will continue to fill in at shortstop in his stead.

Chavis (elbow) is active and has seven hits, including four home runs, in 15 at-bats at High-A Salem.

He hit the 7-day DL after sustaining a minor elbow injury, which is why he has only played in four games, but the 21-year-old third baseman has really made up for lost time. Injuries are the only reason Chavis has not advanced to Double-A at this stage in his minor-league career. If he continues to abuse Carolina League pitching, he should receive a promotion sometime this summer.

Torres was placed on the 7-day minor league disabled list, retroactive to April 18, with mild rotator cuff tendinitis.

While initially considered day-to-day, Torres' injury is significant enough to warrant a trip to the DL. Nonetheless, it doesn't seem like a severe injury, so it is likely he will return by late next week. With Double-A Trenton, Torres had been hitting .237 in 38 at-bats before the injury.

Torres was diagnosed with right shoulder inflammation and is not expected to be sidelined for any extended period, the Bergen Record's Pete Caldera reports.

It sounds like he is simply day-to-day, although he will likely be given at least a couple days off just to be safe. This should not affect Torres' value in dynasty or single-season leagues. Torres was hitting .237/.341/.342 with no home runs and one steal in 44 plate appearances prior to the injury.

Andrus is batting sixth in Wednesday's game versus the Athletics, Evan Grant of the Dallas Morning News reports.

Andrus has gotten off to a scorching start at the plate, batting .321 with three home runs. However, with Shin-Soo Choo's recent walking frenzy, the Rangers opted to move Choo into the two-hole while Andrus slides down to the sixth spot. It's a shame to see this happen when the 28-year-old infielder is playing so well, but if there's a silver lining, this move may allow more people to be on base when he comes to the plate.

Andrus went 2-for-4 with an RBI, a run scored and a pair of stolen bases in Tuesday's 4-2 loss to the Athletics.

Andrus' surprising power surge has been the main reason behind his early-season success, but the 28-year-old is still capable of wreaking havoc on the basepaths, too. With four stolen bases in five attempts through the Rangers' first 14 games, Andrus is well on his way to a ninth straight season of 20-plus steals.

Merrifield got the start in right field Tuesday and hit eighth, going 2-for-3 with two walks and a solo home run in a 2-1 extra-inning loss to the Giants.

With Jorge Soler (oblique) still on the mend, Merrifield could find a regular home in right field in the short term. Raul Mondesi is slashing just .114/1.62/.200 through 13 games, though, so second base could be where Merrifield sees most of his playing time before the season is over.