MLB Player News

White Sox manager Robin Ventura told Comcast SportsNet Chicago that Gordon Beckham will not be switching from second base to shortstop, despite playing shortstop during Monday's rehab game.

Ventura worked out Beckham at shortstop during spring break but never used him in a game. Ventura wants to see if he is capable of handling a limited role at shortstop on days when Alexei Ramirez is not in the lineup.

"When everybody starts getting healthy you can only fit so many people in certain spots," Ventura said. "Alexei is the shortstop. But in case you need somebody there, is (Beckham) able to do that? That's more of a reason to have him do it. I want him to play second base here. But for one game, or if something happens before you could get somebody up here, would he be able to do it? … You start to find out if he's comfortable."

Beckham, who played shortstop in college, has gone 6 for 13 with two RBI in three rehab games and could be back with the White Sox at the end of the week.

Astros second baseman Jose Altuve has dropped Scott Boras as his agent, according to MLB.com.

Altuve rejoined Scott Pucino and Wil Polidor of Octagon, where he left about a year ago for Boras. Altuve is still under team control through the 2017 season, so he won't be a free agent anytime soon. He won't be arbitration-eligible until 2015. Altuve is hitting .327/.361/.430 in 165 at-bats. 

Nationals second baseman Danny Espinosa was on the bench for a second straight game Monday against the Giants, mired in a 1-for-30 slump. Manager Davey Johnson noted, however, he had a "good talk" with Espinosa.

"I think he's a little beat up right now," Johnson said, per MLB.com. "I hate to just sit him out, but he's certainly not doing things he knows he's capable of doing. So it's frustrating for him and he feels like he's letting everybody down. But he's trying to do his best. Sometimes just getting away from it a little bit helps."

Johnson said he's "surprised" Espinosa hasn't taken a step forward this season, but he's confident the 26-year-old infielder will turn it around.

"How you handle adversity is a large part of your success," Johnson said. "We'll get through this. Coming in this year I felt like Danny was a key guy, and if he started doing the things that he's capable of doing, it could make the year a whole lot of fun. I still feel that way."

White Sox second baseman Gordon Beckham played shortstop during Monday's rehab game.

Beckham played shortstop in college, but has been used as a second baseman during his major-league career. The team has Alexei Ramirez at short, so there's no immediate need for Beckham to play the position. The White Sox are currently three games under .500, and could be looking to see whether Beckham can handle the position for trade purposes. Beckham is hitting .316/.333/.316 in 19 at-bats. 

White Sox second baseman Gordon Beckham started at shortstop for Triple-A Charlotte Monday during his rehab assignment, MLB.com reports.

He's had five hits over starts at DH and at second base. 

Manager Robin Ventura mentioned that Beckham could rejoin the team this weekend. 

"Sometime by the end of the week you would think, but again, you never know how that hand is going to react," Ventura said of Beckham and his recovery from a fractured left hamate bone. "It's probably been sore because this is the first time he's been hitting on a daily basis. You would hope so, but nothing's guaranteed."

Rangers shortstop Elvis Andrus was slotted atop the team's lineup with Ian Kinsler out for a second-straight day, and he responded with a 5-for-5 performance that included a double, triple, three runs, two RBI and two stolen bases.

Andrus bumped his batting average 20 points, giving him a .282/.328/.350 line with 12 stolen bases in 192 plate appearances. Despite the excellent outing, Andrus won't retain the lead-off spot in the lineup when Kinsler returns.

Making his return from the bereavement list, Astros second baseman Jose Altuve had three hits in five at-bats against the Pirates Saturday night. He also drove in a run.

Altuve, who has also been dealing with a jaw injury, has hit .342/.378/.449 in 172 plate appearances.

White Sox second baseman Gordon Beckham opened his rehab assignment as Triple-A Charlotte's designated hitter Saturday, going 2 for 4 with a walk and scoring three runs.

On the disabled list with a wrist injury, Beckham is expected to return to the White Sox for next weekend's series against the Marlins.

The Astros activated second baseman Jose Altuve off the bereavement list Saturday. Altuve will start in Pittsburgh.

He had been out since Tuesday following the death of a family member. He was also dealing with a jaw injury but is 100 percent healthy.

Astros second baseman Jose Altuve will return from the bereavement list Saturday against Pittsburgh, MLB.com reports. Altuve has been out of action since May 13 due to the death of his grandmother.