MLB Player News

Royals second baseman Johnny Giavotella is in the team's starting lineup Thursday against the Mariners.

Giavotella will replace Chris Getz at second. Giavotella is hitting .206/.289/.265 in just 34 at-bats. 

Rangers shortstop Elvis Andrus, who missed his fourth straight game Wednesday due to back tightness, expects to be back his team's starting lineup Friday to open a series against the Angels.

"I’m good to go," Andrus told the Dallas Morning News Wednesday. "I kind of knew I wouldn’t play [Wednesday]. They were trying to give me one more game and as much rest as possible. We have the day off and after that I’ll be ready to play."

Andrus finished August with a .303/.353/.394 line along with one home run, 16 RBI, 18 runs and 11 stolen bases in 109 at-bats.

Rangers shortstop Elvis Andrus remained out of action Wednesday against Oakland, MLB.com reports. It was the fourth straight game he's missed due to tightness in his back.

Andrus remains day to day for the Rangers. He is batting .263 on the season with 49 RBI, 75 runs scored and 35 stolen bases. 

The Rangers continued to play without shortstop Elvis Andrus Tuesday in Oakland. He is day to day due to back stiffness and has missed the last three games, MLB.com. Andrus is hitting .263/.324/.315 this year.

The Kansas City Royals promoted the following six players to the roster Tuesday before a game against Seattle, the Kansas City Star reports. 

As expected, Louis Coleman and Wade Davis have rejoined the bullpen from Class A Wilmington. The Royals also promoted for Triple-A Omaha players as infielder Johnny Giavotella and reliever Donnie Joseph were recalled and Carlos Pena and Pedro Ciriaco had their contracts purchased. 

Kansas City cleared space on the 40-man roster by moving pitcher Noel Arguelles to the 60-day disabled list and designating infielder Edinson Rincon for assignment. Rincon was at Double-A Northwest Arkansas. 

Astros second baseman Jose Altuve had an excellent afternoon in a losing effort Monday against Minnesota. Altuve recorded four hits for Houston in the 10-6 loss.

Altuve, who also stole his 31st base of the season, went 4 for 5 with four singles. He scored twice and drove in a run for the Astros in the game. Altuve is batting .275.

The 23-year-old has gone 8 for 13 over a three-game hit streak with seven singles and one double. He's 31 for 40 on stolen base attempts this year with 43 RBI.

Rangers shortstop Elvis Andrus remains out Monday with back tightness, MLB.com reports.

Andrus was pulled from Saturday's game with the issue and hasn't played since. It's unclear when he'll be back, but the Rangers won't need to use the disabled list thanks to expanded rosters. Andrus is hitting .263/.324/.315 this year.

The White Sox have added Marcus Semien to the 40-man roster and called him up from Triple-A Charlotte, MLB.com reports. Semien, 22, hit .290/.420/.483 in 105 games with Double-A Birmingham and .262/.333/.459 in 31 games with Charlotte.

Rangers manager Ron Washington told ESPN after Sunday's game against the Twins that he doesn't expect injured shortstop Elvis Andrus to play in Monday's series opener against the Athletics. The Rangers are one game ahead of the A's in the AL West.

Andrus has missed back-to-back games with lower back tightness. He batted .263/.324/.315 with 49 RBI in 524 at-bats before the injury.

Astros second baseman Jose Altuve posted a three-hit game in Houston's win Sunday over Seattle.

Altuve finished with two singles and a double in four at-bats. He also scored a run. Altuve's season remains disappointing, however, as he is hitting just .270/.306/.346.