MLB Player News

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.

Altuve (hamstring) ran Saturday for the first time since being placed on the 10-day injured list, Chandler Rome of the Houston Chronicle reports.

Altuve is eligible to come off the IL on Tuesday, but Friday, manager AJ Hinch put the brakes on talk of that happening. Altuve reported feeling "very optimistic" about his progress, though: He's expected to resume baseball activities Monday when the Astros return home.

Forsythe entered Saturday's game as a pinch runner after Danny Santana was hit by a pitch on the ankle.

Santana, who filled in at shortstop for the injured Elvis Andrus (hamstring), told T.R. Sullivan of MLB.com following the game the ankle "hurts a lot." That suggests he could miss a few days, which means the hot-hitting Forsythe (10 hits in his last 19 at-bats) could return as Andrus' fill-in the next few games.

Merrifield went 2-for-4 with two doubles, a run scored and two RBI in Saturday's 6-3 loss to the Angels.

He was the only Royal on the night to have multiple hits, or to have an extra-base hit. Merrifield is now slashing .306/.351/.569 through 17 games in May with two homers, two steals, 11 RBI and 13 runs.

Lowe went 1-for-4 with a solo homer in a 2-1 win over the Yankees on Saturday.

Leading off the seventh inning, Lowe tied the score at 1-1 with his ninth homer to right field, tying Yandy Diaz for the team lead. Lowe also leads the team with 24 RBI and has a .292/.344/.556 slash line for the season.

Forsythe is out of Saturday's lineup against the Cardinals.

He has been swinging a red-hot bat, tallying 10 hits in 19 at-bats over his last five games. Danny Santana will start at shortstop and hit seventh in his stead.

Biggio went 2-for-5 with a double, a run scored and an RBI for Triple-A Buffalo on Friday.

The performance was a pretty typical one for the 24-year-old given his .320/.447/.533 slash line on the year, but more important for his chances of a promotion was the fact that Biggio got the start in left field Friday after spending the prior two games patrolling right field. He's now played five different positions this season for Buffalo, highlighting his future as a likely super-utility player in the majors, but his quickest path to a job in Toronto this season lies in the outfield.

Kemp entered Friday's game at second base after Aldemys Diaz was removed with a hamstring injury.

Kemp went hitless in three plate appearances but flashed leather in the field, making a run-saving stop in the fourth inning. He played second base in the minors, winning a Gold Glove in 2014, but he's played just 45 innings there in the majors. Pending Diaz's status, Kemp could be in line for a start at second base Saturday.

Manager AJ Hinch said Altuve (hamstring) is not expected to be activated off the 10-day injured list when eligible May 21, Chandler Rome of the Houston Chronicle reports.

"I'm not anticipating him making it back in time for the 10 days, which is not that big a deal. Once we decided to put him on the IL, we wanted to make sure that he's right," said Hinch, who added that he "thinks it's a good idea" to have Altuve spend time on a rehab assignment. Altuve is pain-free, according to the manager, and he's expected to initiate baseball activities over the weekend. The second baseman has been riding a stationary bike and doing other forms of indoor rehab.