MLB Player News

Kemp started at second base and went 1-for-4 with a stolen base and a run scored in Tuesday's 9-6 win over the Cubs.

Houston received a double-dose of bad news about its double-play combination Tuesday that could lead to consistent at-bats for Kemp. Jose Altuve (hamstring) suffered a setback in his rehab and Carlos Correa was scratched with an injury to his ribs that could cost him a couple of weeks. The top fill-in at both positions, Aledmys Diaz, is currently on the injured list with a hamstring injury. Jack Mayfield started at shortstop alongside Kemp at second base Tuesday. Manager AJ Hinch can also move first baseman Yuli Gurriel around the infield (second base, third base) and third baseman Alex Bregman to shortstop to cover the absence of his starting middle infield.

Mayfield started at shortstop in place of the injured Carlos Correa (ribs) and went 0-for-3 with a walk and a run scored in Tuesday's 9-6 win over the Cubs.

Mayfield was called up to be a stop-gap at second base until Jose Altuve (hamstring) was ready to return, but Altuve's injury has lingered and Correa was scratched with an injury that is expected to keep him out a couple of weeks. That means Mayfield may stick around longer than the two games his stay was originally projected to last. With holes at second base and shortstop, Mayfield could get regular at-bats over the next 10-to-14 days.

Semien went 1-for-4 with a solo home run and a walk in Tuesday's 6-4 loss to the Angels.

Semien's solo shot came in the first inning, but the A's were unable to build an effective rally for much of the game, collecting just seven hits as a team. The shortstop is up to six homers, 24 RBI and 34 runs scored in 57 games this season.

Manager AJ Hinch said after Tuesday's win over the Cubs that the Astros received "encouraging" news on Altuve (hamstring), and that he will require time to "strengthen his lower half," Chandler Rome of the Houston Chronicle reports.

General manager Jeff Luhnow said earlier Tuesday that Altuve's injury shouldn't impact him beyond the next couple weeks, but there's still a lack of specifics regarding his current return timeline. The 29-year-old appeared to be nearing his activation until he was sent home Tuesday from the rehab assignment at Triple-A Round Rock with right leg fatigue.

Altuve's leg fatigue could delay his return to action by at least a couple weeks according to general manager Jeff Luhnow, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.

Altuve's rehab from his hamstring strain was put on hold due to leg fatigue in his other leg Tuesday. Luhnow doesn't appear to be referring to a precise timeline, as his comments came in the context of downplaying the injury as a long-term one. Regardless, Altuve's return to the lineup doesn't appear to be imminent. A more exact timeline should emerge once he visits with team doctors.

Altuve (hamstring) was sent home from his rehab assignment due to right leg fatigue Tuesday, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.

Altuve's hamstring strain was on his left leg, but his right knee was the one on which he had surgery back in October. He had appeared to be close to a return from the injured list but will now be delayed. The severity of the setback is not yet clear.

Biggio's absence from the lineup Tuesday against Tampa Bay is due to illness, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

An illness has been traveling around the Blue Jays' roster, with Biggio the latest victim. He was sent back to the team hotel so he's likely unavailable off the bench. Eric Sogard starts at second base.

Rodriguez is not starting Tuesday against Baltimore.

Rodriguez has gone hitless in his last five contests and is hitting 4-for-41 with 22 strikeouts over his last 11 games. Gordon Beckham will start at shortstop.

Biggio is not starting Tuesday against Tampa Bay.

Biggio started four straight games after getting his first major-league callup Friday. He went hitless in three of those games but went 3-for-4 with a homer in the other. Eric Sogard gets the start at second base.

Lowe is not starting Tuesday against Toronto.

Lowe has gone 2-for-14 at the plate over his last four games. Andrew Velasquez gets the start at second base.