MLB Player News

Forsythe started at shortstop and went 1-for-3 with a home run in Saturday's game against the Reds.

Forsythe, who was a late addition to the Rangers' camp, has three extra-base hits in his last four games. He's vying to be the backup infielder. His main competition is Matt Davidson, who struck out in two at-bats Saturday and is without a hit in his last 17 at-bats, during which he's struck out 10 times. Forsythe has played mostly second base and third base during his career, but he has exposure to shortstop (18 games) and first base (20).

Rengifo was optioned to Triple-A Salt Lake on Saturday.

Rengifo got to start spring with the big-league club, but with just 46 Triple-A games under his belt, his odds of breaking camp with the team were slim. He could push for a promotion at some point this year with strong numbers at Salt Lake.

Polanco has been out of the spring training lineup since Tuesday due to a personal issue, the St. Paul Pioneer Press reports.

It doesn't appear to by anything that will put his Opening Day status in doubt. Polanco hasn't done much at the plate this spring by hitting .250 (6-for-24) with just two extra-base hits (both doubles), but he's set to begin the season as the starting shortstop.

Altuve went 1-for-2 with a walk and played five innings at second base during Friday's game against the Cardinals.

Altuve played for the first time since May 6, when he was scratched from a game due to soreness in his side. He will get a day off Saturday before returning to the field Sunday, Alyson Footer of MLB.com reports. There is still plenty of time for the elite second baseman to get ready for the start of the regular season.

Mathias was reassigned to minor-league camp Friday.

Mathias got to spend some time in big-league camp but was never a candidate to open the season on the major-league roster, as he's yet to reach Triple-A. He's spent the entirety of the last two seasons stuck at Double-A, and it remains to be seen whether his .232/.338/.370 line for Akron last season will be enough for him to start this season at the next level.

Altuve (side) is in the lineup for Friday's game against the Cardinals, Hunter Atkins of the Houston Chronicle reports.

Altuve had been out of the lineup for over a week while dealing with side soreness. With his return Friday, he should still have enough time to get fully up to speed by the start of the regular season.

Kemp went 0-for-2 with a walk, a stolen base and a run scored in Thursday's game against the Marlins.

Kemp is hitting .240 (6-for-25) with two extra-base hits and three stolen bases in Grapefruit League competition. The 27-year-old Kemp has probably done enough to break camp with the Astros. His position versatility -- all three outfield spots and second base -- and that he's out of options work in his favor.

Altuve (side) will play Friday against the Braves, Alyson Footer of MLB.com reports.

Altuve has been held out of game action while recovering from soreness in his left side. He last played March 6.

Andrus went 3-for-3 with three RBI in Thursday's spring game against Kansas City.

Andrus plated a pair of runs in the third inning on a single to right field, and he drove in another during the fifth on another single to right. The 30-year-old shortstop is looking good at the plate thus far and is now 10-for-17 with a home run, eight RBI and two runs scored in spring games.

Lopez has gone 11-for-35 (.314 average) at the plate with three stolen bases in Cactus League play entering Thursday's game against the Rangers.

The excellent bat-to-ball skills Lopez has demonstrated throughout his career have again surfaced during spring training, as the 23-year-old has struck out in just five of his plate appearances. All but one of Lopez's 11 hits have gone for extra bases, however, and his lack of power will likely put a cap on his fantasy ceiling once he reaches the big leagues. Lopez has made a compelling case for the Opening Day roster, but it's most likely the Royals will send him back to Triple-A Omaha to play on an everyday basis with Whit Merrifield and Adalberto Mondesi already entrenched as the big club's starting middle-infield tandem.