MLB Player News

Altuve is out of the lineup Saturday against the Angels due to oblique discomfort, Danielle Lerner of the Houston Chronicle reports.

Altuve "felt something" in his oblique while taking a swing Friday, per Astros manager Dusty Baker. The veteran's absence Saturday is being labeled as precautionary, but this is certainly a situation worth monitoring. Mauricio Dubon will cover second base and bat leadoff versus the Angels.

Dubon is starting at second base and batting leadoff Saturday against the Angels.

Dubon will fill in for Jose Altuve, who has the day off. The 28-year-old Dubon has seen a predictable dip in playing time since Altuve returned two weeks ago from March surgery for a fractured thumb.

Altuve is not in the lineup Saturday against the Angels.

This would appear to be a designed day of rest as the Astros try to keep Altuve healthy. He's slashed .286/.388/.500 in 11 games (49 plate appearances) since returning May 19 from spring surgery for a fractured right thumb. Mauricio Dubon is playing second base and batting leadoff Saturday.

Massey is out of the lineup Saturday against the Rockies.

Matt Duffy is starting at second base and batting ninth with left-hander Kyle Freeland set to toe the slab for Colorado. Massey has actually fared pretty well versus lefties this year, but he carries a rough .235/.290/.340 overall season slash line through 169 plate appearances.

Valdez is not in the lineup for the first half of Saturday's doubleheader against the Rays.

Pablo Reyes will start at second base and bat ninth for the Red Sox in the early tilt at Fenway Park. Valdez figures to get the nod in the nightcap. He's cooled off considerably since his immediate outburst in late April and early May, but the 24-year-old still holds a respectable .740 OPS through his first 29 major-league games.

Kemp went 0-for-2 with a walk and a stolen base in a loss to the Marlins on Friday.

The veteran, back in the lineup after consecutive off days, was able to achieve at least a modicum of offensive success while operating out of the bottom of the order. Kemp's walk marked only his third time reaching safely in the last eight games (20 plate appearances), with all of those instances coming via a free pass.

Espinal (hamstring) is slated for a third rehab game Saturday with Low-A Dunedin, Arden Zwelling of Sportsnet.ca reports.

Espinal has the night off Friday after going 2-for-6 with a double in his first two rehab games Wednesday and Thursday. On the shelf since May 20 due to a right hamstring strain, the 28-year-old utility infielder should be ready to return to the Blue Jays' active roster next week.

Drury went 2-for-5 with a solo home run and a double in Thursday's loss to Houston.

The blast came in the fifth inning and gave the Angels a 2-1 lead at the time, though Houston responded with three runs in the bottom of the frame. Drury has begun to heat up at the plate again, collecting five multi-hit performances over his past nine contests. Over that span, he's slashing .333/.421/.758 with three homers, five RBI and seven runs.

Rosario isn't starting Friday against the Twins, Zack Meisel of The Athletic reports.

Rosario has collected just one hit in 18 at-bats across his last four games. He'll get a day off Friday to regroup while Brayan Rocchio picks up a start at shortstop.

Andrus isn't in the White Sox's lineup Friday against the Tigers.

Andrus was reinstated from the 10-day injured list Friday after dealing with an oblique injury, but his return to the lineup will have to wait another day. Romy Gonzalez will instead get the nod at second base and bat ninth.