MLB Player News

Jose Altuve batting leadoff for the Astros doesn't have me as jazzed as I thought it would.

For starters, his splits last year were better when he batted second (.711 OPS as No. 1 vs. .776 OPS as No. 2). Sure, he stole bases at a more imperssive rate as the leadoff hitter, but Altuve hit double-digit home runs in his last two years in the minors, as he was developing some nice power to complement the steals. It's not like leadoff hitters don't hit for power, but Altuve batting second would have fostered that power a little more than having him hit first. 

It's nitpicking because he'll probably score more runs from the leadoff spot and will get the steals, but Altuve may surprise some people with his power potential if put in the right scenario. I'd still expect him to have a brush with 10-12 homers, but it would have been nice to see what he could have done from the No. 2 spot in the lineup. 

Rangers shortstop Elvis Andrus doubled and homered against the Reds Saturday to extend his spring hitting streak to 13 games and boost his average to .415. The home run was the second in 45 plate appearances for Andrus, who only hit three home runs in 711 plate appearances last year.

The Royals optioned infielder Johnny Giavotella to Triple-A Omaha on Saturday, reports MLB.com.

Giavotella, who was hitting .267 on the spring with a homer, 11 RBI and eight strikeouts, was battling for the second base job but appears he's lost out to Chris Getz.

The Texas Rangers further pared down their roster Saturday, moving pitchers Ben Rowen and Lisalverto Bonilla and outfielder Yangervis Solarte to their minor-league camp. Texas also released catcher Konrad Schmidt after he failed to land a backup position.

Astros manager Bo Porter announced Wednesday that second baseman Jose Altuve will be the team's leadoff hitter. Porter said he chose Altuve as the every-day leadoff hitter after no one else took the "bull by the horns."

Porter added that Altuve is the only position player locked into a spot in the lineup. All other spots in the batting order will likely change.

CBSSports.com baseball insider Jon Heyman reports the Rangers will "make one more run" at signing shortstop Elvis Andrus to a multiyear deal, but if a deal can't be reached, the team will likely trade him in "10 to 12 months."

The Rangers rejected all trade offers for Andrus this offseason, but a deal would open up shortstop for elite prospect Jurickson Profar, who may begin this season in the minors due to the Rangers' lack of a regular starting role for him. It remains possible Profar could break camp with the team as a utility player.