MLB Player News

Bregman ran Thursday for the first time since suffering the hamstring injury, Angel Verdejo Jr. of the Houston Chronicle reports.

Thursday's activity represented a positive step forward for Bregman and he said he felt "fine" afterward, but the 22-year-old acknowledged that he is still without a timetable. With just 10 days remaining in the regular season (after Thursday), there's little reason for optimism in regard to Bregman's chances to play again in 2016, but a return has not been officially ruled out. General manager Jeff Luhnow said earlier this week that Bregman's injury typically requires 4-to-6 weeks of recovery time.

Longoria went 1-for-4 with a solo homer in a 14-4 loss at the hands of the Yankees.

Longoria has been white hot the past week, hitting four home runs in his last seven games. He now has 36 home runs on the season, extending his career high. Longoria also has 95 RBI, the most since 2011 when he hit 99.

Arenado went 2-for-3 with a grand slam, two runs and a walk in the 11-1 victory over the Cardinals on Wednesday.

The homer moves him back into first place with 39 bombs in the National League, one ahead of Cubs third baseman Kris Bryant. Arenado also leads the NL with 128 RBI and nobody is even within 20 RBI of him. He is also hitting .294 with 111 runs and two stolen bases.

Ramirez went 3-for-3 with a walk, three doubles, one RBI and scored a run in Wednesday's game against the Royals.

Ramirez has now hit safely in 17 of 19 games this month, pushing his average to .315, its highest mark since June 6, and good for seventh-best in the AL. Furthermore, the 24-year-old's 22 stolen bases this year ranks fifth in the AL, while his 42 doubles are fourth-best in all of MLB. Ramirez has been tearing it up all season, and the third baseman is showing no signs of slowing down as the 2016 campaign nears the end.

Asuaje's contract was selected from Triple-A El Paso on Wednesday.

He was named the Pacific Coast League's Rookie of the Year after leading all Triple-A players this season with 172 hits and being tied for first with teammate Manuel Margot with 98 runs scored. He hit .321/.378/.473 with nine home runs and 10 steals (in an extreme hitting environment), playing primarily second base while also seeing time at third base and left field. It remains to be seen if his slight 5-foot-9, 160-pound frame will allow him to barrel big league pitching, but given the Padres' lack of quality infield depth, he should get a chance to prove himself over the rest of the season and in the first half of 2017.

Asuaje will be called up from Triple-A El Paso, AJ Cassavell of MLB.com reports.

Part of the Padres' return for Craig Kimbrel, he put together a fine season with El Paso, slashing .321/.378/.473 with nine homers, 10 steals and a 13.7 percent strikeout rate. However, Asuaje may play primarily off the bench over the final 11 games, and his modest power and speed put a cap on his upside long term despite the solid plate skills.

Valencia is in the lineup Tuesday against the Astros, Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.

After starting 10 consecutive games, Valencia had initially been out of Tuesday's lineup. However, Khris Davis was scratched from Tuesday's lineup with an illness, so Valencia will head to right field and hit cleanup against Joe Musgrove and the Astros.

Valencia is out of the lineup Tuesday against the Astros.

He has started the last 10 games, primarily getting the nod in right field and with one start coming at first base over that stretch. Jake Smolinski will start in right field while Brett Eibner gets a rare start in center field Tuesday.

Bregman's hamstring injury usually needs 4-to-6 weeks of recovery time, according to Astros GM Jeff Luhnow, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.

Luhnow did say that recovery time can be pushed a bit, but even so, Bregman has only missed one week. With just under two weeks left in the regular season, expecting Bregman to make a return seems wildly optimistic. Perhaps he can make a postseason appearance if the Astros manage a deep run, but his fantasy season is most likely over.

Alvarez is not in the lineup Monday against the Red Sox.

Alvarez has been scuffling in the month of September, batting a mere .212 with five RBI since the calendar turned. With that in mind, he'll head to the bench for a day off while Mark Trumbo takes over as the designated hitter and Michael Bourn garners a start in right field to fill out the lineup.