MLB Player News

Polanco went 2-for-4 on Sunday with two runs scored and a solo shot, his first major league home run, in a win over the Indians.

Getting just his second start since being called back up from Triple-A earlier in the month, Polanco certainly made the most of his opportunity. With Twins manager Paul Molitor acknowledging after the game that both Brian Dozier and Trevor Plouffe were not quite at 100 percent right now, Polanco could see a short-term uptick in his playing time.

Drury will make his sixth straight start in right field Sunday against the Giants.

Drury has been occupying the outfield reps left behind by David Peralta (wrist), and with Peralta's placement on the DL on Sunday, he could see at least another week of steady playing time. Even when Peralta returns, manager Chip Hale will likely keep trying to find ways to get Drury and his .855 OPS into the lineup on a regular basis.

Petit will make his second straight start at shortstop Sunday against the Mariners.

With Andrelton Simmons (thumb) on the DL, the depth-starved Angels will be forced to turn to Petit and Brendan Ryan to man shortstop for the next several weeks, neither of whom profile as appealing options at the position. Petit seems to have the leg up on the job battle for now, but as a glove-first player who owns a .258 batting average and two homers over 209 career MLB plate appearances, the 31-year-old could struggle to provide much value.

Motter was recalled from Triple-A Durham on Sunday.

Motter was batting just .190 across 142 at-bats at Durham, but produced four homers and eight stolen bases. The 26-year-old figures to serve as a utility man for the Rays after Logan Forsythe (shoulder) was placed on the DL on Saturday.

Altuve went 2-for-3 with three walks and a run scored in Saturday's 6-5 extra-inning loss to the Red Sox.

Just another day in Altuve's remarkable month- and overall season to date-- as he tallied his fourth straight multi-hit effort and extended his hitting streak to seven games. He's now slashing .400/.466/.700 over 50 May at-bats.

Solarte (hamstring) has played one game in extended spring training, the Union-Tribune's Dennis Lin reports.

This is a good step forward, as he has progressed to playing in games, though he is not yet ready for a rehab assignment. Solarte could still return in late May if everything were to go smoothly, which would be huge for the Padres, as they are stretched awfully thin in the infield due to several injuries.

Espinosa is out of the lineup for Game 2 of Saturday's doubleheader against the Marlins, the Washington Post's Chelsea Janes reports.

He went 1-for-4 in the first game Saturday, which was enough to up his average to .204 on the season. Espinosa's time as the starting shortstop is nearing an end, as prospect Trea Turner is widely anticipated to be recalled at the end of May, after the team has gained an extra year of control. Stephen Drew will start at shortstop and hit eighth in the second game Saturday.

Forsythe (shoulder) will be reevaluated at the end of May.

Forsythe suffered a shoulder injury on May 10 and Friday's MRI revealed a hairline fracture in his shoulder blade. The Rays plan on reevaluating the injury three weeks from the date of the injury, at which point there figures to be a more concrete timeline for Forsythe's return to the diamond.

Forsythe was placed on the 15-day disabled list Saturday with a hairline fracture in his left shoulder blade, Steve Carney of 620 WDAE reports.

This is a difficult loss for the Rays as Forsythe had been arguably their best player to this point in the season, already reaching a 1.8 WAR, which is .8 higher than any other position player on the team. Forsythe was not only strong in the field, but he also buoyed a weak offense by slashing .308/.398/.523 with four home runs. Steve Pearce is taking Forsythe's place at second base Saturday, but Tim Beckham figures to also see some time there while Forsythe is sidelined. There's no timetable for Forsythe's return at this point.

Altuve went 3-for-4 with a double, an RBI, a walk and two runs scored in Friday's 7-6 victory over the Red Sox.

The 26-year-old has reached safely in 12 of 13 games in May and is slashing .400/.466/.700 in 50 at-bats during the month. He's also got a six-game hitting streak at the moment, including three straight multi-hit efforts. Throw in his 13 stolen bases for the season, and Altuve clearly ranks as one of the top all-around players in 2016.