MLB Player News

Merrifield is not in the starting lineup Saturday versus the Orioles.

Merrifield will get a day off after he went 1-for-3 with a walk and two strikeouts in the Blue Jays' loss Friday. Merrifield has operated as regular in the lineup this season, and although he's batting just .200 since the beginning of May, he doesn't appear to be in danger of losing his starting role. Santiago Espinal will take over at second base and bat eighth against Baltimore.

Altuve went 0-for-4 with a walk Friday against the Athletics.

Altuve made his season debut after returning from a thumb injury and immediately occupied the leadoff spot in the order. He failed to reach base in each of his first four plate appearances but did manage to earn a walk in the bottom of the eighth inning. It may take a few games for Altuve to knock off the rust from his extended absence.

Polanco (hamstring) is not in the starting lineup against the Angels on Friday, Do-Hyoung Park of MLB.com reports.

Polanco was diagnosed with a mild left hamstring strain after leaving Wednesday's game against the Dodgers, and he'll miss at least one more game while recovering. Willi Castro gets the start at second base in Polanco's absence.

Valdez is not in the starting lineup against the Padres on Friday, Chris Cotillo of The Springfield Republican reports.

Valdez is platooning at second base with Pablo Reyes right now, and Reyes will get the start against southpaw Blake Snell in the opener against San Diego on Friday.

Andrus (oblique) is hitting off a tee and taking grounders Friday, James Fegan of The Athletic reports.

Andrus is eligible for activation from the injured list Tuesday, and it would seem he has a shot at a minimum IL stint as he's already resumed hitting. The veteran infielder has been sidelined since early May with a left oblique strain.

The Astros optioned Hensley to Triple-A Sugar Land on Friday, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.

With Jose Altuve (thumb) returning from the injured list, the struggling Hensley will serve as Houston's roster casualty. Through 86 plate appearances, he holds just a .403 OPS and has struck out 32 times (37.2 percent). The 27-year-old utility man slashed .298/.420/.478 in Triple-A last season, so perhaps he will be able to find his swing again in the minors.

Altuve is starting at second base and batting leadoff for the Astros in his season debut Friday against the Athletics, Mark Berman of FOX 26 reports.

We're exactly two months removed from Altuve suffering a fractured right thumb during World Baseball Classic play. He went just 2-for-22 during a rehab assignment and might be eased back into action with extra days off, but Altuve nonetheless should be re-inserted into fantasy lineups in most formats.

Caballero is starting at second base and batting ninth versus Atlanta on Friday, Ryan Divish of The Seattle Times reports.

Caballero had been serving on the short side of a platoon at second base but has now made two straight starts versus right-handers, consigning Kolten Wong to the bench. The rookie infielder is batting .298/.393/.362 on the season.

Ortiz is starting at third base and batting ninth for the Orioles on Friday against the Blue Jays, Steve Melewski of MASNSports.com reports.

It will be the first time he's played the hot corner during his brief time in the majors. Ortiz is 4-for-18 at the plate so far with the Orioles.

Altuve was activated from the 10-day injured list by the Astros on Friday.

Altuve appeared to still be searching for his timing while on his rehab assignment, as he went just 2-for-22 (both singles) in five games with Double-A Corpus Christi and Triple-A Sugar Land. However, the most important thing is his surgically repaired right thumb is a non-issue and he feels ready to rejoin his teammates. It's possible Altuve will receive some extra days off initially as he eases back into things, but fantasy managers certainly want to get him back into their lineups.