MLB Player News

Lowe (neck) said Wednesday that he feels "100 times better" and expects to return to the lineup for Thursday's series finale with the Blue Jays, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Lowe was a late scratch ahead of Tuesday's 20-1 loss due to a stiff neck, and while he probably could play Wednesday, he'll sit out again since the Blue Jays are starting a left-hander (Yusei Kikuchi). He could still be available off the bench Wednesday in some capacity.

Altuve (illness) is not in the starting lineup Wednesday against the Brewers.

After exiting Tuesday's 6-0 loss to the Brewers early due to an illness, Altuve will remain on the bench Wednesday in Milwaukee. The Astros have a day off Thursday, so Altuve will have an extra day to rest up ahead of Houston's three-game series with Oakland starting Friday. Mauricio Dubon will draw the start at second base and bat leadoff in the series finale with the Brewers.

Julien will start at second base and bat leadoff in Wednesday's game against the Giants.

Joey Gallo had served as the Twins' table setter in two of the previous three games, but since he'll be resting for the series finale, Julien will receive his first look atop the lineup since being called up from Triple-A St. Paul on Saturday. The rookie had served as the Twins' cleanup or No. 5 batter in each of the previous three games, going 1-for-7 with a walk and four strikeouts. Though he's mustered a .194/.256/.361 slash line through his first 40 plate appearances in the majors, Julien should continue to see regular starts at the keystone so long as Jorge Polanco (hamstring) remains on the injured list.

Merrifield went 3-for-6 with a double, three runs scored and a steal in Tuesday's win over the Rays.

Merrifield extended his hitting streak to five games, having gone 10-for-19 with a home run and two steals in that span. The 34-year-old second baseman has looked like his old self after a down 2022 season. Merrifield is now slashing .295/.345/.397 with two homers, 19 RBI, 24 runs scored and 14 steals (in 15 attempts) through 171 plate appearances.

Gonzalez will start at second base and bat eighth in Wednesday's game against the Guardians.

Gonzalez will pick up a fourth consecutive start, including his third straight at the keystone while Hanser Alberto (shoulder) has been banged up. The White Sox haven't revealed whether Alberto will require a trip to the 10-day injured list, but even if that's the case, Gonzalez may not be in store for a long-term run as an everyday player. Elvis Andrus (oblique) is expected to head out on a rehab assignment next week and could be ready to return from the IL within the first week of June to reclaim duties as Chicago's primary second baseman.

Haggerty stole a base as a pinch runner for Ty France (wrist) in Tuesday's 3-2 win over the Athletics.

France may not be available to play Wednesday, so there could be a chance for Haggerty to nab a rare start at first base. Haggerty has served as a bench option lately -- he hasn't started since May 14. The utility man has four steals and a .147 batting average through 38 plate appearances.

Astros manager Dusty Baker said that Altuve left Tuesday's game against the Brewers due to an illness, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports.

Altuve is still being evaluated, but his removal from the contest was deemed precautionary, according to Brian McTaggart of MLB.com. The second baseman went 1-for-3 before being replaced by Mauricio Dubon. Altuve should be considered day-to-day with a chance to return to the lineup for Wednesday's series finale in Milwaukee.

Altuve left Tuesday's game against the Brewers with an apparent injury, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports. He went 1-for-3 before his exit.

Altuve has been replaced by Mauricio Dubon at second base. The infielder should be considered day-to-day until there are further updates.

Kemp is out of the lineup for Tuesday's game in Seattle.

Kemp has started at second base in three of the Athletics' last four matchups with right-handed pitchers, but he'll head to the bench Tuesday with southpaw Marco Gonzales on the hill for Seattle. Even though Oakland recently sent Jordan Diaz back to Triple-A Las Vegas to remove competition for Kemp at second base, the 31-year-old may not be guaranteed a strong-side platoon role while he's holding down an ugly .167/.250/.227 slash line for the season.

Caballero isn't in the Mariners' lineup Tuesday against Oakland.

After homering twice over his last two games, Caballero will get an off day against the A's. Kolten Wong will take over at second base and bat eighth.