MLB Player News

One general manager, who has interest in acquiring Rangers shortstop Elvis Andrus, indicates it is going to be difficult for the Rangers to trade Andrus now, according to CBSSports.com Baseball Insider Jon Heyman. 

While the Rangers have infield depth in the minors, it is mostly at the lower levels. Also, Jurickson Profar missing a second straight season due to shoulder problems is also making it difficult for Texas to part ways with Andrus, who is under contract through 2022.

Astros second baseman Jose Altuve has had plenty of success offensively in his MLB career, as evidence by his 2014 AL batting crown and his career .302 batting average.

However, one pitcher Altuve hasn't been able to solve has been Angels starting pitcher Jered Weaver, who will be on the mound Friday to open a three-game series against Houston.

Altuve is batting .188 (3 for 16) in his career against Weaver. All three of his hits are singles and he has no RBI or walks. He also has three strikeouts.

Altuve is carrying a six-game hitting streak into Friday's matchup. He is batting .357 (10 for 28) with one double, one home run and three RBI in that span.

Rays manager Kevin Cash said Wednesday that infielder Nick Franklin (oblique) is not ready to begin a rehab assignment, the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Franklin has been able to take part in batting practice, but he has yet to play in a game since being placed on the disabled list before the beginning of the season.

Rangers shortstop Elvis Andrus went deep for his first home run of the season, snapping the longest active streak in the majors without a home run (481 at-bats) during Tuesday's contest against the Angels.

Andrus took Jose Alvarez deep for a solo home run in the sixth inning for his first home run since May 21, 2015. He added a single and finished 2 for 4 with two runs scored, a stolen base and an RBI in an 8-2 victory. He is hitting .184 (7 for 38) with a home run and four RBI in nine games.

Rays left fielder Brandon Guyer is leading off Tuesday as the team uses an all-rightly lineup against the Blue Jays and left-handed starter Daniel Norris.

The Rays actually have eight righties and one switch hitter in the lineup, loading up against the rookie southpaw. Guyer is just 2 for 11 this season but hit .297/.366/.396 in 111 at-bats against lefties in 2014.

In addition to Guyer, the Rays have Logan Forsythe at second base, Rene Rivera at first base, Tim Beckham at shortstop and Bobby Wilson at catcher in the final four spots of the lineup.

The Rays are underdogs (+135) against the Blue Jays Tuesday.

Athletics third baseman Brett Lawrie, short stop Marcus Semien and designated hitter Billy Butler all collected their first home runs of the season during Monday's 8-1 win over the Astros.

"One through nine, you never know what can happen, any given day," Lawrie said, per MLB.com. "We've been stringing hits together, and when you can do that you can be loose and just play and not worry too much. You know someone's going to pick you up. It's good to know anyone who gets in the box can do some damage."

All three home runs came of pitcher Scott Feldman. The home runs were the only hits for Lawrie and Butler, with Semien going 2 for 4.

Second baseman Jose Altuve was the lone bright spot for the Astros during Monday's 8-1 loss to the Athletics.

Altuve produced three hits including a solo home run, which was his first of the season. Only two players collected a hit for the Astros on Monday.

Gordon Beckham and Alexei Ramirez each delivered clutch hits in the eighth inning as the White Sox pulled away from the Twins en route to a 6-2 triumph Sunday. 

Ramirez tallied his second hit of the game, a single, to score Avasail Garcia and give the Sox a 4-2 lead, and Beckham, coming on as a pinch-hitter, crushed a two-run homer to left to provide the final margin. 

Angels right fielder Kole Calhoun is not in the starting lineup for Sunday's game against the Royals.

Calhoun went 2 for 4 with a double, a home run and three RBI Saturday. The Angels will use shortstop Erick Aybar as the leadoff man with Calhoun on the bench, and Collin Cowgill will play right field and bat seventh Sunday. The Angels are also starting Taylor Featherston over Johnny Giavotella at second base.

The Angels are favorites (-115) against the Royals Sunday.

Astros second baseman Jose Altuve had two hits in four at bats in Saturday's 6-2 loss to Texas. 

Altuve drove in one of Houston's two runs on the day, on a bases-loaded walk.