MLB Player News

Altuve was removed in the ninth inning of Saturday's game against the Rangers due to a left side injury, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.

Altuve was holding his left side after grounding into a double play in the eighth inning and was then replaced by Nick Allen at second base. The Astros should have an update on Altuve's injury once the veteran second baseman undergoes tests Sunday, per Julia Morales of Space City Home Network. Altuve went 1-for-4 with a walk and a solo home run prior to his exit Saturday. Allen or Shay Whitcomb should be the top candidates to start at second base in Sunday's series finale if Altuve is unable to play.

Donovan was scratched from the lineup ahead of Saturday's game against the Padres.

It's unclear why the Mariners took Donovan out of the lineup, but the team will likely offer an explanation in the near future. In the meantime, Leo Rivas will fill the void at third base and bat eighth.

Keaschall isn't in the lineup for Saturday's game against Milwaukee.

Keaschall will get a chance to rest his legs Saturday after beginning May with a .244/.404/.341 slash line while starting all 13 games this month. While Keaschall sits, Tristan Gray will get the nod at second base and bat eighth.

The Athletics designated Stefanic for assignment Saturday.

Stefanic will be pushed off the Athletics' 26- and 40-man rosters following the team's acquisition of Alika Williams from Pittsburgh on Saturday. Stefanic went 2-for-5 with a run scored during his four-day stint in the majors and owns a .706 OPS through 149 plate appearances at Triple-A Las Vegas. He'll likely spend the rest of the season as organizational depth if he clears waivers.

The Pirates traded Williams to the Athletics on Saturday in exchange for Kyle Robinson.

The 27-year-old infielder will join the Athletics' active roster immediately upon coming over from Pittsburgh, replacing Michael Stefanic. Williams hasn't appeared in an MLB game since 2024, but he's earned an opportunity by slashing .317/.385/.467 with two homers, 18 RBI and 19 runs scored through 135 plate appearances at Triple-A Indianapolis. He'll provide an extra option on the left side of the infield while the A's deal with injuries to Jacob Wilson (shoulder) and Max Muncy (hand).

Vargas went 2-for-4 with a double and a solo home run Friday against the Cubs.

Vargas led off the sixth inning with his 10th home run of the season, which also extended his hitting streak to seven games. In that span, he's gone 10-for-24 with three home runs, six RBI and eight runs scored. Vargas is quietly having a breakout season, as he's also chipped in six steals while maintaining an .870 OPS across 189 plate appearances.

Mayer went 1-for-3 with a walk and a solo home run during the Red Sox's 3-2 extra-inning loss to Atlanta on Friday.

Friday's contest was a low-scoring affair, and Meyer ended up tying things at 2-2 in the seventh inning with a solo homer. It was his second home run of the season and first since April 3. Meyer has struggled at the plate as of late, but perhaps Friday's performance was a sign of things to come for the 23-year-old second baseman.

Westburg (elbow) underwent Tommy John surgery Wednesday, Andrew Golden of TheBanner.com reports.

Westburg's procedure will keep him out for the remainder of the 2026 campaign, but general manager Mike Elias said Friday that the 27-year-old infielder has a good chance to return to playing in the field full time by early 2027. Until then, Coby Mayo will likely take over as Baltimore's primary third baseman, though Jeremiah Jackson, Blaze Alexander and Weston Wilson are also candidates to make starts at the hot corner.

Altuve is not in the starting lineup for Friday's game against the Rangers, Matt Kawahara of the Houston Chronicle reports.

With Altuve getting a breather against right-hander Jack Leiter, Brice Matthews will lead off and play second base for Houston. Altuve hasn't homered since April 17 and doesn't have an extra-base hit over his last six games. On the season, the 36-year-old is slashing .245/.328/.365 with three home runs, 11 RBI, 26 runs scored, one stolen base and a 19:34 BB:K across 181 trips to the dish.

Manager A.J. Hinch said Friday that Torres (oblique) is "trending toward" beginning a rehab assignment, Evan Woodbery of MLive.com reports.

Torres is eligible to be reinstated from the 10-day injured list as of Friday, but it sounds like he's going to go out on a short rehab stint prior to rejoining the Detroit lineup. Torres has slashed .259/.389/.328 with two home runs, 11 RBI, 18 runs scored and a 25:22 BB:K across 144 plate appearances this season. Hao-Yu Lee is manning second base for the Tigers on Friday.