MLB Player News

Altuve hit a solo home run in a 3-for-4 game in Tuesday's loss to Texas.

Altuve was off to a slow start in September, with just a .178/.245/.267 batting line and one home run in 11 games. His effort wasn't enough to bring a win to Houston on Tuesday, but if the Astros are going to compete for a playoff spot, they'll need more games like this from Altuve. This marks Altuve's 21st three-hit game of the season, a remarkable feat from one of the American League's foremost MVP candidates.

Polanco went 3-for-4 with a walk, home run, four RBI and two runs in Tuesday's win against the Tigers.

Polanco's two-run shot in the third inning was his second of the season, and his first since May 15. The switch-hitting shortstop hit an impressive .321 in August, but has faltered a bit in September. Before busting out Tuesday, he was hitting just .222 with three RBI and three runs in 36 at-bats this month. Polanco's big game in Detroit may be what he needed to get back on track heading toward the finish line of 2016.

Drury went 4-for-5 with a home run and three runs scored in Monday's win over the Rockies.

Drury has been getting fairly regular at-bats lately in left field, although he started at second in this one. He's been pretty solid with the bat all season, so when he is starting, Drury makes for a good bargain play in daily leagues. This is especially true when he's at home, where his OPS has been more than 100 points higher this year.

Polanco is not in the lineup Monday against the Tigers.

Polanco had a modest four-game hitting streak prior to Sunday's matchup, but he'll take a day off after batting just .185 over the past seven games. Eduardo Escobar will slide over to shortstop to fill in for him while Miguel Sano slots in at the hot corner to fill out the left side of the infield.

Frazier will man left field and hit leadoff in Monday's game against the Phillies.

Frazier will atop the order Monday with Josh Harrison (groin) out and the Pirates facing a right-handed starter. The rookie will then play the outfield Monday with Starling Marte (back) still out, but with Harrison likely miss the rest of the season, Frazier could see more opportunities both at second base and out of the leadoff spot moving forward.

Forsythe went 1-for-4 with a solo homer and walk in Sunday's 4-2 victory over the Yankees.

The leadoff man took Luis Cessa deep with a 410-foot shot in the sixth, extending the Rays' lead to 3-1 at the time. Forsythe is off to a terrific start in September, with hits in eight of the last nine games, including four straight. That level of production has led to a .361/.477/.556 line over his first 36 at-bats of the month, while his 19 homers on the season are a new career high.

Franklin went 3-for-4 with a run scored in Sunday's win over the Yankees.

Since recovering from a concussion in late August, Franklin has hit .304 (14-for- 46) with two homers and six runs scored in 15 games, making him a solid addition to your stretch run roster.

Altuve (illness) is in the lineup at second base and batting third in the order Sunday against the Cubs, MLB.com's Brian McTaggart reports.

Altuve came down with an illness during Saturday's contest and was forced to exit early, but his presence in the lineup for the series finale suggests he's gotten over the worst of the sickness. Don't expect the temporary setback to derail Altuve's MVP-worthy season.

Andrus is out of the lineup Sunday against the Angels.

The Rangers will give some of their veterans a day off on getaway day, with Andrus, Jonathan Lucroy and Carlos Beltran all hitting the bench. In Andrus' place, Jurickson Profar will get the starting nod at shortstop.

Altuve (illness) told manager A.J. Hinch that he will be fine to play Sunday, Jake Kaplan of the Houston Chronicle reports.

Altuve was able to play seven-plus innings Saturday despite reportedly getting sick before and during the game, finishing 1-for-3 with a run scored. It sounds like he's confident he'll be able to tough it out Sunday, but Hinch will have the final say.