MLB Player News

Merrifield went 3-for-4 with a pair of home runs, six RBI and three runs scored in Tuesday's rout of the Mariners.

Merrifield led off the game with a single and came around to score on a hit by Alex Gordon. He then helped put the game out of reach with a three-run blast in the fourth inning and a sacrifice fly for a run in the sixth before capping the scoring with a two-run blast in the eighth. The multi-homer game was the second of Merrifield's career, while the six RBI established a career high. He is putting together another fine season, complementing a .306/.353/.510 slash line with 10 homers, 39 RBI, 52 runs and 11 stolen bases.

Hernandez belted a grand slam and walked in a victory over the Giants on Tuesday.

Hernandez came on as a pinch hitter for Joc Pederson in the sixth inning and was walked intentionally, then made the most of his only official at-bat by crushing a 416-foot grand slam to left field to break the game open in the seventh. Both outcomes were positive signs for Hernandez, who had struggled coming into the game by taking only one walk and belting only one home run while hitting a meager .160 in June. Overall, he is slashing .213/.281/.391 with 11 home runs and 37 runs batted in this season.

McNeil went 3-for-5 with a walk, a solo home run and three runs scored Tuesday against the Braves.

McNeil had already reached base three times before stepping to the plate in the ninth inning, but he capped off his performance by taking Josh Tomlin deep. He now has four homers on the season, and has continued to display strong plate skills (.404 on-base percentage and 11 percent strikeout rate). He's now hitting .333 and slugging .470 across 245 plate appearances for the season.

Hernandez is not in the lineup for Tuesday's game against the Giants.

Hernandez has fallen off after a hot start and now sits with just a .210/.276/.376 line for the season. Max Muncy slides over to second base Tuesday, with Matt Beaty starting at first.

Altuve (hamstring) is expected to be activated from the injured list ahead of Wednesday's game against the Reds, Julia Morales of AT&T SportsNet Southwest reports.

Altuve returned to the team Tuesday to be re-evaluated, and it appears he's passed his tests with flying colors. The 29-year-old star was placed on the injured list May 11 due to a left hamstring strain, but he'll be eager to return to form after playing below his standards to kick off the 2019 campaign. Altuve is slashing .243/.329/.472 with nine homers, one stolen base and 21 RBI over 39 games this season.

Arraez was recalled from Triple-A Rochester prior to Tuesday's game against the Red Sox.

Ehire Adrianza was placed on the 10-day injured list in a corresponding move. Arraez has been a hitting machine in the minors and majors this season, but he will likely only serve as a part-time player while Adrianza is on the shelf. We could see him competing to be the Twins' starting second baseman in spring training next year, so he is worth stashing in dynasty leagues.

Manager AJ Hinch told MLB Network Radio on SiriusXM that Altuve (hamstring) will join the team in Cincinnati on Tuesday for an evaluation and could be activated from the 10-day injured list as soon as Wednesday.

Altuve made his third rehab appearance with Triple-A Round Rock on Monday, assuming designated-hitter duties in that contest and going 1-for-4 with a triple, walk and two strikeouts. Since Altuve played second base for the affiliate the day before and was already scheduled to receive Tuesday off, the Astros elected to take a look at him rather than having him stick around in Round Rock. If the Astros' assessment of Altuve reveals nothing concerning, he'll likely re-enter the big-league lineup for Wednesday's series finale with the Reds. Tony Kemp is expected to transition into a utility role once Altuve is back in the fold.

Barreto, who went 1-for-4 with a grand slam home run, five RBI overall and a walk in a win over Triple-A Nashville on Monday, is slashing .286/.381/.538 with 11 homers and 42 RBI across 64 games with Triple-A Las Vegas.

Barreto's line is also partly comprised of 18 doubles, four triples, 11 stolen bases and 58 runs, making the 23-year-old one of the Aviators' most well-rounded contributors. Barreto has logged a pair of relatively brief majors stints over the last two seasons, but he's found consistent contact against big-league arms to be especially elusive. Another late-season promotion this season is certainly a possibility, although Jurickson Profar, the keeper of the keystone for the Athletics, seems to slowly be figuring things out at the plate after an abysmal start to the season.

Kemp went 0-for-4 in Monday's 3-2 loss to the Reds.

Kemp started at second base, like he's done several times while Jose Altuve (hamstring) has been sidelined; however, Monday's game may have been his last in that gig. Altuve played a second consecutive day while on rehab at Triple-A Round Rock, and his return is imminent, per Chandler Rome of the Houston Chronicle.

Altuve (hamstring) went 1-for-4 with a triple and a walk while serving as the designated hitter for Triple-A Round Rock on Monday.

That makes back-to-back days for Altuve, who is said to be nearing a return to Houston. He played all nine innings at second base Sunday followed by Monday's turn at DH. He'll be evaluated Tuesday before any decision is made. Round Rock has one more home game before embarking on a road trip Wednesday, so the Astros could give Altuve one more game on rehab.