MLB Player News

The Astros optioned Hensley to Triple-A Sugar Land on Friday, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.

With Jose Altuve (thumb) returning from the injured list, the struggling Hensley will serve as Houston's roster casualty. Through 86 plate appearances, he holds just a .403 OPS and has struck out 32 times (37.2 percent). The 27-year-old utility man slashed .298/.420/.478 in Triple-A last season, so perhaps he will be able to find his swing again in the minors.

Altuve is starting at second base and batting leadoff for the Astros in his season debut Friday against the Athletics, Mark Berman of FOX 26 reports.

We're exactly two months removed from Altuve suffering a fractured right thumb during World Baseball Classic play. He went just 2-for-22 during a rehab assignment and might be eased back into action with extra days off, but Altuve nonetheless should be re-inserted into fantasy lineups in most formats.

Caballero is starting at second base and batting ninth versus Atlanta on Friday, Ryan Divish of The Seattle Times reports.

Caballero had been serving on the short side of a platoon at second base but has now made two straight starts versus right-handers, consigning Kolten Wong to the bench. The rookie infielder is batting .298/.393/.362 on the season.

Hoerner (hamstring) was reinstated from the 10-day injured list Friday, Sahadev Sharma of The Athletic reports.

The 26-year-old infielder was placed on the injured list last week with a left hamstring strain but was able to return after a minimum stay. Hoerner is batting .303 on the year.

Ortiz is starting at third base and batting ninth for the Orioles on Friday against the Blue Jays, Steve Melewski of MASNSports.com reports.

It will be the first time he's played the hot corner during his brief time in the majors. Ortiz is 4-for-18 at the plate so far with the Orioles.

Alu was optioned to Triple-A Rochester on Friday, Mark Zuckerman of MASNSports.com reports.

Alu will head back to Triple-A after he was called up to replace Joey Meneses (paternity) on the active roster Wednesday. Alu went 2-for-4 in Thursday's loss to the Marlins and has now gone 3-for-13 in limited action in the majors this season. With Meneses back Friday, Alu was the odd man out and will have to wait for his next opportunity with the big-league club.

Altuve was activated from the 10-day injured list by the Astros on Friday.

Altuve appeared to still be searching for his timing while on his rehab assignment, as he went just 2-for-22 (both singles) in five games with Double-A Corpus Christi and Triple-A Sugar Land. However, the most important thing is his surgically repaired right thumb is a non-issue and he feels ready to rejoin his teammates. It's possible Altuve will receive some extra days off initially as he eases back into things, but fantasy managers certainly want to get him back into their lineups.

Edwards went 2-for-3 with a double, a run, an RBI and a stolen base Thursday in a 5-3 win over Washington.

Edwards had his best game as a major leaguer in the victory, producing his first multi-hit performance, his first extra-base hit and his first theft. He also recorded his first RBI with a run-scoring single in the fourth inning. Edwards was called back up to the big club Tuesday after going 1-for-6 during his first stint in the majors earlier this month.

Rengifo went 3-for-4 with two runs, a walk and a stolen base in a 6-5 victory versus Baltimore on Thursday.

Rengifo reached four times in the contest, the first time this season he has accomplished that feat. The utility man also swiped his third bag of the campaign and scored two of the Angels' six runs. Rengifo's three hits Thursday matched the total he had produced over his previous 10 contests, a stretch during which he went 3-for-26 without an extra-base hit.

Gorman went 3-for-5 with two homers and three RBI in Thursday's win over the Dodgers.

Gorman homered as a part of the Cardinals' four-homer third inning and then cranked a two-run shot in the eighth. He has a nine-game hitting streak and is crushing the ball in May with a .357/.449/.857 slash line. The 23-year-old is now tied for fourth in MLB with 12 homers on the season.