MLB Player News

Altuve went 3-for-5 with two homers, two runs and six RBI on Sunday against the Angels.

Altuve launched a three-run homer to put the Astros on the board in the first inning before crushing his 17th bomb of the year in the following inning, leading to a blowout victory. He's now posted multiple hits in six of his last seven games, while slashing .360/.428/.575 on the season.

Giavotella is out of the lineup Sunday against the Astros, Jeff Fletcher of the Orange County Register reports.

With Giavotella stuck in a 2-for-23 slump dating back to July 9, his playing time has become a little more sporadic of late. Giavotella will now sit for the fourth time in seven games, giving way to Gregorio Petit at the keystone.

Merrifield is not in the lineup for Saturday's game against the Rangers, Josh Vernier of 610 Sports Radio Kansas City reports.

Merrifield has already lost his spot in the top third of the lineup and his playing time is now trending in the wrong direction, as Saturday's absence marks his fourth in the team's last seven games. He's batting just .180/.255/.260 in July. Christian Colon will get the nod at second base Saturday.

Semien is not in Friday's lineup against the Rays.

Semien will get the day off for the first time this season after making 96 straight starts to begin 2016. In his place, the club will turn to Arismendy Alcantara at shortstop for Friday's contest versus Jake Odorizzi.

Giavotella is not in the lineup for Friday's game against the Astros, Pedro Moura of the LA Times reports.

Giavotella will be on the bench for the third time in the past five games. For Friday's contest, Gregorio Petit will make another start at second base while batting ninth in the order.

Marte (illness) was placed on the disabled list Friday with mono, Bob Dutton of the Tacoma News Tribune reports.

Marte didn't make the trip to Toronto with the team this weekend after losing some weight in the past couple days. He will miss some time recovering from the illness, while the team will let Shawn O'Malley and Luis Sardinas split time at short until he returns.

Marte, who has missed the last three games with an illness, did not make the trip to Toronto for the Mariners' weekend series, the Tacoma News Tribune reports.

"He's lost some weight, too, and that's a concerning thing," manager Scott Servais said. "His tonsils are really swollen. He is on antibiotics, and I hope that kicks in. But he is not feeling good." Luis Sardinas is expected to recalled prior to Friday's series opener.

Altuve went 2-for-3 with two walks in Wednesday's 7-0 win over the Athletics.

Over his last four games, Altuve is 12-for-17 and has scored five runs. Baseball's leading hitter is slashing .357/.427/.563 with fifteen round-trippers, 54 RBI and 73 runs. Altuve also has 25 steals on the year, which puts him on pace to swipe 40-plus bags for the second time in his six-year career.

Jones, 18, is hitting .326/.392/.485 with two homers and 10 steals (on 13 attempts) in 132 at-bats in the Pioneer League.

The Angels have been rightfully crucified for how bad their farm system has been in recent seasons, but Jones, along with 2016 first-round pick Matt Thaiss, are starting to turn that narrative. At 6-foot, 215 pounds, Jones is the exact type of rookie ball hitter dynasty league owners need to be rostering. It will be four or five years before he reaches the majors, but there is legitimate five-category upside here.

Marte (illness) is not in the lineup Wednesday against the White Sox, Bob Dutton of the Tacoma News Tribune reports.

Marte will miss a third straight game Wednesday as he continues to battle an illness. At this point, the team is unsure if he'll be able to fly to Toronto following Wednesday's game, so his status remains clouded for Friday's series opener following an off day Thursday. Shawn O'Malley will start at short Wednesday and bat ninth.