MLB Player News

Altuve (illness) is slated to be activated from the COVID-19 injured list ahead of Monday's game against the Mariners, Danielle Lerner of the Houston Chronicle reports.

The Astros were optimistic that Altuve would be able to return in time for Monday's game, and manager Dusty Baker confirmed that the second baseman is expected to be back in the lineup. Altuve had tested positive for COVID-19 in mid-April but rejoined his teammates over the weekend and has been participating in baseball activities ahead of his return to game action.

India (head) will bat seventh and play second base Monday against the Dodgers.

India was hit in the head by a pitch Sunday against the Cardinals. While he initially remained in the game to run the bases, he was replaced in the next half inning. The Reds called his removal precautionary, however, so it's no surprise to see him remain in the lineup Monday.

Merrifield went 2-for-5 with a run, one RBI and two stolen bases in Sunday's 4-0 win over the Tigers.

Merrifield put the Royals on the board with an RBI single in the top of the fifth inning Sunday, and his two stolen bases marked the third time that he has swiped multiple bags in a game this year. The 32-year-old is slashing .284/.322/.444 with three home runs, 14 RBI, 14 runs and eight stolen bases in 2021.

Rojas went 2-for-3 with a double and two RBI in a 7-0 win Sunday over the Braves.

Rojas started in right field in Game 2 of Sunday's doubleheader against the Braves. The utility man knocked in Nick Ahmed with a double in the first inning, then again on a single in the sixth inning. Rojas often comes off the bench but has started three of the last four games. He is batting .191 in 56 plate appearances.

Frazier went 3-for-5 with an RBI single and a run scored in Sunday's 6-2 win over the Twins.

Frazier singled and scored in the first inning. In the seventh, he contributed an RBI single to a three-run rally, plating Jacob Stallings. Through 21 games, Frazier has slashed .310/.385/.429 with no home runs, 10 RBI, 12 runs scored and two stolen bases. While he hasn't gone deep, he has six doubles and two triples on the year.

India was removed from Sunday's loss to the Cardinals in the bottom of the sixth inning due to an apparent head injury, C. Trent Rosecrans of The Athletic reports.

India was hit in the head by a pitch in the top of the sixth inning Sunday. He passed all the tests given to him on the field and initially remained in the game, but Kyle Farmer replaced him at second base in the bottom of the sixth inning. Manager David Bell said that India was removed as a precaution, and the second baseman felt good after the game. It's not yet clear whether India forced to miss any additional time.

Arroyo's X-rays on his left hand came back negative Sunday, Ian Browne of MLB.com reports.

Arroyo stayed in Sunday's game against the Mariners after he was hit by a pitch in his first at-bat of the contest. He underwent scans after the game as a precaution, but his X-rays revealed no structural damage. The 25-year-old appears to have avoided a significant injury and could be available for the start of the team's two-game series against the Mets on Tuesday.

Red Sox manager Alex Cora said that Arroyo would undergo X-rays on his left hand after the infielder was struck by a pitch during Sunday's 5-3 win over the Mariners, Alex Speier of The Boston Globe reports.

Arroyo was examined by a trainer after he was hit by the pitch in his first at-bat of the day, but he stayed in the contest and played all nine innings in the series finale. If the X-rays reveal no structural damage to Arroyo's hand, he could be available for the start of the Red Sox's two-game series with the Mets on Tuesday.

Astros general manager James Click said that he's "optimistic" Altuve (illness) will be ready to return from the COVID-19 injured list ahead of Monday's game against the Angels, Chandler Rome of the Houston Chronicle reports.

Click's comments essentially align with what manager Dusty Baker said earlier Sunday about the status of Altuve, who appears to be in the process of getting re-conditioned at this stage after recovering from a positive COVID-19 test. The Astros will have a seven-game schedule during the upcoming week, so fantasy managers could be incentivized to activate Altuve right away rather than waiting to see how he fares in his return from the illness.

Dubon will start at shortstop and bat eighth Sunday against the Marlins, Mark W. Sanchez of KNBR 680 San Francisco reports.

He'll benefit from the absence of Brandon Crawford (quadriceps) and cover shortstop for the second game in a row and the third time in four games. Unless the Giants place Crawford on the injured list, however, Dubon should soon move back into a utility role.