MLB Player News

Altuve (side) completed running drills Tuesday and could appear in a game this weekend, Alyson Footer of MLB.com reports.

Manager AJ Hinch said Altuve, who has not appeared in a Grapefruit League game since March 6, will likely begin baseball activities Wednesday.

Estrada was optioned to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre on Tuesday.

Estrada played in 11 games with the Yankees this spring and went 5-for-18 (.278) with five strikeouts. The 23-year-old missed the bulk of the 2018 season due to a back injury, making only eight appearances with the RailRiders.

The Red Sox optioned Chavis to Triple-A Pawtucket on Tuesday, Alex Speier of The Boston Globe reports.

With four home runs during Grapefruit League action, Chavis bolstered his claim for being the top prospect in the organization, albeit in a Red Sox system that ranks as one of baseball's weakest. According to Michael Silverman of the Boston Herald, Chavis' main focus at this point is improving his defense while showcasing more of an ability to play multiple positions. Chavis will see most of his action at first and third base in Pawtucket but will also get some exposure to the keystone as he looks to improve his chances of earning a callup at some point in 2019.

Mendick (wrist) entered Sunday's spring game against Oakland and went 0-for-1 with a walk and a run scored.

Mendick was drilled by a pitch in the wrist during Friday's contest, but he avoided major injury and managed to return to action Sunday.

Semien went 3-for-3 with two runs scored and a triple Monday against the Rockies.

Semien singled in the second and fourth innings and finished off his day with a triple to left field in the sixth. He's been impressive thus far in spring training, going 11-for-32 with a home run, three RBI, two stolen bases and six runs scored.

Altuve (side) remains out of the lineup Monday against the Mets, Chandler Rome of the Houston Chronicle reports.

This issue of side soreness will keep Altuve sidelined for a fifth straight day. He was examined by the team physician Sunday and the team continues to label Altuve's injury as a minor concern. Altuve is still expected to be withheld from baseball activities until the weekend as the Astros attempt to aid his recovery.

Jones was reassigned to minor-league camp Sunday, Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic reports.

Jones was invited to major-league camp and got some valuable experience, but he'll head to minor-league spring training following this latest update. He reached Double-A Mobile last year and slashed .245/.335/.375 with two homers and 20 RBI over 48 contests.

Barreto will travel with the Athletics for the season-opening series against the Mariners in Japan, Martin Gallegos of The San Jose Mercury News reports.

Barreto is starting at second base in Sunday's split-squad game against the White Sox, but his transition to the outfield this spring is what's drawn heavy praise from manager Bob Melvin. The 23-year-old has been impressive at the plate as well as he is 11-for-29 (.379) with four doubles and a home run through 12 games. Barreto was a likely candidate to begin the season at Triple-A Las Vegas, but his performance this spring and increased versatility appear to have him on track to crack the Opening Day roster.

Altuve (side) visited the team physician Sunday and is expected to see game action later this week, Julia Morales of AT&T SportsNet Southwest reports.

The Astros have not expressed much concern over the issue, and Altuve's diagnosis Sunday appears to concur with that sentiment. The 28-year-old was originally expected to return to game action this weekend, but it's not surprising to see the team exhibit additional caution with the All-Star second baseman at this point in spring training.

Altuve (side) is not in the lineup for Sunday's spring game against the Nationals.

Altuve was scratched from Saturday's lineup because of his injury, and the issue will sideline him at least one more day. The Astros aren't expressing concern about Altuve's status for Opening Day, but they figure to continue taking it easy with him to ensure he will be in the lineup when the regular season kicks off.