MLB Player News

Astros center fielder Jake Marisnick has been bumped up to lead off in Houston's batting order for Saturday's game against the Angels, moving Jose Altuve to second, the team announced.

It's the first time all season someone other than Altuve will lead off for Houston. Marisnick, who has hit in the bottom third of the lineup all year, is hitting .325 with three home runs in 83 at-bats this season. However, Marisnick is hitting .121 in 33 at-bats from the lead off role. 

"I'm excited," Altuve said. 'It's fun. … I'm kind of hoping we feed off each other and get rolling and get this offense going a little bit. We've been a little bit sluggish here the last couple of games. It would be nice to get it rolling."

For just the second time this season, someone not named Evan Longoria will start at third base for the Rays on Thursday. Longoria will be the designated hitter for manager Kevin Cash as the Rays start a four-game series against the Rangers.

Longoria has been hitting the ball well lately, batting over .300 in his last 10 games, including a two-homer night on Wednesday. He'll cede third base duties to Logan Forsythe on Thursday.

Never mind the five-game hitting streak - Athletics second baseman Marcus Semien is out of the Thursday lineup in Minnesota for the first time this season.

Semien has started every game at that position in 2015. He is also on a fine run with seven hits in the last five games to improve his slash line to .283/.331/.434.

Angels infielder Johnny Giavotella has never had more than 181 at-bats in any single season. So far in 2015, he has 84, and is likely in line for many more this season. 

Giavotella has become the starting second baseman for manager Mike Scioscia, as he has started all but two of the team's 28 games this season. And he has rewarded his skipper's faith by hitting a clean .286 with 12 RBI, including a walk-off double in Wednesday's 4-3 victory over the Mariners. It was his fifth game-winning RBI of the season.

"He's just a tough out," Scioscia said, per MLB.com. "He's been a tough out his whole life, at every level in the Minor Leagues. Now he's getting an opportunity in the big leagues, and he's shown that he gives a tough at-bat every time. It's important to our club. We talk about the guys that we need to get into their game, but Johnny Giavotella has been one of the bright spots."

As long as he stays healthy and productive, Giavotella should easily surpass his career-high of 181 at-bats, among other offensive categories.

Rays infielder Nick Franklin played in his second rehab game on Wednesday, going 0 for 2 with two walks. He was checked out by a trainer after taking a swing, but was able to stay in the game. The Rays are looking to get Franklin 20-30 at-bats in his rehab before activiating him from the disabled list, according to the Tampa Bay Times.

Angels second baseman Johnny Giavotella drove in the winning run during Wednesday's 4-3 win over the Mariners.

With the game tied at 3-3 in bottom of the ninth inning, Giavotella hit a double to drive in Erick Aybar for the game-winning run. The double was Giavotella's only hit in four at-bats during the game. He has now hit safely in three-consecutive games.

The Yankees have reinstated infielder Jose Pirela from the 15-day DL and sent infielder Gregorio Petit to the 15-day DL with a right hand contusion, the team announced.

Pirela has been on the disabled list since the beginning of the season after crashing into the outfield wall in spring training. He is in the starting lineup Wednesday, batting ninth.

Petit suffered his injury in Tuesday's game against the Blue Jays when he was hit in the hand by a pitch. Petit is hitting .200 with five RBI in 35 at-bats this season.

Athletics shortstop Marcus Semien went 1-for-3 in Tuesday's 2-1 victory over the Twins. The individual performance is certainly nothing to write home about. But he has now reached base safely via a hit or a walk in nine consecutive games, including hits in four straight.

On the season, Semien is slashing .273/.322/.427 with three home runs and 12 RBI. He should continue to be the regular at shortstop for manager Bob Melvin for the foreseeable future. 

Yankees manager Joe Girardi told reporters he subbed Alex Rodriguez in for Gregorio Petit at third base late in Tuesday's 6-3 victory over Toronto because Chase Headley is dealing with soreness in his lower back, per Newsday. Petit was drilled in the hand in the eighth inning, which prompted the change by Girardi in the bottom of the ninth.

Headley is expected to be back in the lineup Wednesday.

"I'll be fine," Headley said.

Headley is hitting .247 with 10 RBI in 97 at-bats this season.

Rays second baseman Nick Franklin went 1 for 3 at the plate in his first rehab game for Triple-A Durham on Tuesday.

Franklin, who is currently on the 15-day DL with an oblique injury, hit a single and struck out once in the appearance. Franklin is yet to appear in a game for Tampa Bay this season after picking up the injury just before the beginning of the season.