MLB Player News

Astros general manager Dana Brown said Wednesday that a decision hasn't been made regarding whether Altuve (oblique) will go on the 10-day injured list, but the second baseman could be held out of the lineup through the All-Star break, Danielle Lerner of the Houston Chronicle reports. "I don't think there's any rush to bring him back," Brown said.

After he tweaked his left oblique during batting practice Tuesday, Altuve was sent in for an MRI on Wednesday, and the Astros plan to review the results of those tests Thursday before determining whether the 33-year-old will require a trip to the IL. Mauricio Dubon has started at second base in Altuve's stead over the past two games and appears likely to hold down a regular spot in the lineup the rest of the week, barring Altuve showing dramatic improvement. Since Altuve last played Monday, he would still be eligible to return for the Astros' first game after the break July 14 against the Angels if Houston decides to place him on the IL.

Donovan (arm) is serving as the Cardinals' designated hitter and batting leadoff Wednesday versus the Marlins.

Donovan will be on a no-throw program through the All-Star break as he battles through some arm pain, but he's able to swing the bat without issue and will function as the Cardinals' tablesetter Wednesday in Miami. Nolan Gorman is covering second base and batting sixth.

Kim went 1-for-4 with a run and a stolen base Tuesday in an 8-5 win over the Angels.

Kim has settled in as San Diego's leadoff hitter, as he's batted atop the lineup in 10 of his past 11 starts. He's been more power than speed during that span, slashing .289/.377/.644 with five home runs, 10 RBI and Tuesday's theft. Nonetheless, Kim offers value in both areas -- he's already swiped a career-high 14 bags this season and is one shy of his career-best mark with 10 long balls. Kim's appeal as a leadoff hitter is further buoyed by his career-high 11.7 percent walk rate on the campaign.

Bannon (finger) is slashing .256/.375/.385 across 11 games since being reinstated from Triple-A Sugar Land's 7-day injured list June 20.

Bannon had been on the shelf for just under two months due to a fractured right index finger. The 27-year-old utility man has logged 151 plate appearances overall at Sugar Land this season, batting .252 with six home runs and four stolen bases.

Altuve (oblique) will undergo an MRI on Wednesday, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.

Altuve tweaked his left oblique during batting practice Tuesday and will now get checked out to determine the severity. He also dealt with an oblique issue last month, missing four games but ultimately avoiding the injured list. The Astros might play things more cautiously this time around, but we'll have to wait and see what the MRI says.

Altuve (oblique) is not in the starting lineup Wednesday against Colorado, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports.

Altuve will remain on the bench for a second straight game as he nurses an oblique injury. Mauricio Dubon will draw the start at second base and bat leadoff Wednesday versus the Rockies.

Frazier went 1-for-2 with a two-run homer in Tuesday's 8-4 loss against the Yankees.

Frazier tied the game 3-3 with a two-run shot off Clarke Schmidt in the fifth inning. It's Frazier's 10th home run of the year, matching his career high through just 80 games this season. The 31-year-old Frazier's gone just 3-for-13 (.231) over his last five games, though two of his hits were homers. It's been an atypical season overall for Frazier, primarily known for a contact-over-power approach. He's slashing .228/.299/.398 with 37 RBI, 37 runs scored and seven steals through 283 plate appearances on the campaign.

Gonzales went 3-for-4 with two doubles, a walk, two RBI and two runs scored in Tuesday's 9-7 win over the Dodgers.

He began his career with three hitless efforts, but he's now racked up three straight multi-hit games. Gonzales has showed solid power with two home runs, three doubles and a triple among his 11 hits through 11 games. He's added nine RBI and eight runs scored and should continue to split time between second base and shortstop while Ji Hwan Bae (ankle) is out.

Merrifield went 2-for-4 with a double, two RBI and a stolen base in Tuesday's 4-3 win over the White Sox.

Merrifield opened the scoring with a two-run double in the fourth inning. Tuesday saw him record multiple hits for the first time in his last seven games. The veteran hit .268 in June but faded toward the end of the month. For the season, he's at 19 steals, 32 RBI, 32 runs scored, 17 doubles, two home runs and a .285/.341/.367 slash line through 77 contests.

Albies went 2-for-3 with a pair of home runs, a walk and three RBI in Tuesday's 6-5 extra-inning loss to the Guardians.

Albies tied the game with each of his homers, which came in the fifth and ninth innings. The second baseman has gone deep four times over four games in July, upping his power again after he slugged seven long balls in 25 games in June. For the season, he's up to 22 homers, 63 RBI, 46 runs scored and six stolen bases while slashing .264/.318/.525 through 85 contests. His career high in homers is 30, which he established in 2021.