MLB Player News

Gimenez went 3-for-4 with a triple in Friday's 5-4 loss to the Angels.

Gimenez entered Friday with just two hits and no walks over eight games in May. It's been a tough stretch for the second baseman but not one that's led to much of a reduction in his playing time, as he's sat out just once this month. For the season, he's slashing .231/.301/.346 with two home runs, six stolen bases, eight RBI and 21 runs scored through 36 contests. The triple was his first of the year and the sixth of his career.

Rosario went 3-for-5 with a triple, a double and a run scored in Friday's 5-4 loss to the Angels.

Rosario came up a home run shy of the cycle. This was his second multi-hit effort in his last three games after having just one in the previous 12 contests. The shortstop is slashing a modest .248/.287/.361 with a homer, seven RBI, 17 runs scored, six stolen bases, four triples and four doubles through 32 games.

Altuve (thumb) went 0-for-4 and played seven innings for Triple-A Sugar Land on Friday.

Altuve said after the game that he plans to play Saturday, according to Chandler Rome of The Athletic, and that his timing is still off at the plate, which is to be expected. The second baseman was seeing his first action since breaking his thumb during the World Baseball Classic back in March, and the most important thing is that he's finally getting reps after missing two-plus months. Altuve will likely need a few more rehab games, but it appears as though he could be playing for the Astros and hitting at the top of the order at some point next week.

Merrifield went 1-for-3 with a run scored and a stolen base in Friday's 3-0 win over Atlanta.

He scored Toronto's first run in the fifth inning on a George Springer single, giving Chris Bassitt all the support he would need as the veteran righty tossed a shutout. Merrifield has shrugged off a slow start to the season, and over his last 20 games he's batting .311 (23-for-74) with one homer, eight RBI, nine runs and six of his eight stolen bases on the year.

Lopez (appendicitis) is expected to start a rehab assignment with the Royals next week, Anne Rogers of MLB.com reports.

Lopez didn't travel with the team during its current road trip. The infielder will likely need a handful of games to get back into game shape, and he has a chance to return to the Kansas City lineup near the end of May.

Kemp is not in the starting lineup for Friday's tilt against Texas.

Kemp will take a seat against left-hander Martin Perez. Jordan Diaz will start his sixth straight game at second base and hit sixth.

Dubon (hamstring) is starting Friday against the White Sox.

Dubon sat out Wednesday against the Angels after exiting Tuesday's matchup with left hamstring discomfort. However, he was able to recover during the Astros' day off Thursday and will lead off in the series opener at Guaranteed Rate Field. Through eight games in May, he's hit .242 (8-for-33) with one steal, two RBI, four runs and seven strikeouts.

Massey is not in the lineup Friday versus the Brewers.

Massey homered Wednesday and Thursday against the White Sox, but the Royals will give him a breather during Friday night's series opener against the Brewers and ace right-hander Corbin Burnes. Maikel Garcia is playing second base and Hunter Dozier is at third.

Sosa was optioned Friday to Triple-A Charlotte.

Sosa gets the boot to clear out a 26-man roster spot for Yoan Moncada, who has been activated following a four-week absence with a lower-back injury. Sosa, 23, is slashing just .132/.145/.221 in 70 plate appearances this season at the major-league level.

Torres is in the designated hitter spot and batting leadoff for the Yankees in Friday's game versus the Rays.

Torres has mostly hit fourth or fifth this season, but the Yanks are switching things up in hopes of jumpstarting a slacking offense. Former leadoff hitter Anthony Volpe has moved down to seventh in the batting order. With Torres in the DH spot, Oswaldo Cabrera is handling second base.