MLB Player News

Manager AJ Hinch said the Astros hope Altuve (hamstring) will be ready to begin a minor-league rehab assignment during the "latter part of the week," Jake Kaplan of The Athletic reports.

Altuve is making steady progress in his return from a left hamstring strain; he went through running drills over the weekend before taking batting practice Monday. Assuming the second baseman continues to progress without any setbacks, Altuve should be cleared to embark on a rehab stint later in the week, with his return to the big club likely not far behind.

Altuve (hamstring) took batting practice Monday, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.

Altuve appears to be nearing a return from the injured list, going through running drills over the weekend and now resuming hitting. He's expected to require a rehab assignment, so it'll be at least a few days before he's back on the field with the Astros.

Polanco went 4-for-5 with an RBI and a run scored Sunday in the Twins' 7-4 loss to the Mariners.

Polanco already has a pair of four- and five-hit games on his ledger this season, a major reason why he leads all American League qualifiers with a .343 average. He's supported the average with eight home runs, 28 runs and 21 RBI, making him one of the bigger bargains in fantasy drafts so far this season.

Semien went 2-for-4 with a double, an RBI triple and a run in against the Tigers on Sunday in a game suspended in the seventh inning due to rain.

Semien's pair of extra-base hits snapped a brief 0-for-8 slump that had encompassed his prior two games. Semien also launched a homer in the opening game of the series Thursday, which, coupled with Sunday's production, comprise his three extra-base hits thus far in May. The veteran shortstop also continues to display a discerning eye at the plate, as he's already drawn 11 walks in May to help push his on-base percentage to a career-best .355.

Lowe went 1-for-4 with a three-run home run in a loss to the Yankees on Sunday.

Lowe's third-inning 421-foot shot, his 10th of the season, erased an early 3-2 deficit for the Rays. The rookie has homered in back-to-back games, and he's now hit safely in four straight contests. Lowe is putting together a strong encore to a dynamic April, hitting .293 thus far in May after generating a .321 average last month.

Kemp entered Sunday's game after George Springer left with back stiffness and went 0-for-2 in a 4-3 loss to Boston.

Springer has already been ruled out of Monday's series opener against the White Sox, who have yet to announce a starter. Kemp could find himself in the starting lineup if Chicago goes with a right-hander.

Chavis went 2-for-4 with a solo home run Sunday against the Astros.

Chavis took Wade Miley deep in the fifth inning to record his eighth homer of the season. After a slow five-game stretch early in May, Chavis has turned it on again of late, recording a hit in five of his last six starts -- including four multi-hit efforts. The 23-year-old is now hitting .290/.389/.570 across 108 plate appearances for the season.

Drury is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the White Sox.

Drury recently transitioned from a utility role to an everyday gig in right field, replacing the demoted Teoscar Hernandez. The Blue Jays will give Drury a breather in the series finale as fourth outfielder Jonathan Davis enters the lineup as the No. 9 hitter.

Manager AJ Hinch said Sunday that Altuve (hamstring) will likely require a minor-league rehab assignment during the upcoming week before being activated from the 10-day injured list, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.

Altuve took a noteworthy step forward in his recovery from the left hamstring strain by running on the field Saturday, relaying afterward that he was "optimistic" about his progress. The second baseman will add more baseball activities to his workout regimen Monday and could be ready to join an affiliate soon after. The Astros haven't pinpointed a target date for Altuve's return from the IL, but based on Hinch's comments, the 29-year-old appears unlikely to be activated until next weekend at the earliest.

Chavis will lead off and start at second base Sunday against the Astros, Chris Cotillo of MassLive.com reports.

Chavis has typically slotted in anywhere between the fifth and seventh spots in the order, but he'll get his first turn in the leadoff spot with normal table setter Andrew Benintendi sitting out. The rise up the lineup may give Chavis' stock a boost in DFS contests, but he'll likely drop back down in the order once Benintendi returns to action Monday in Toronto.