MLB Player News

Alvarez, 19, is slashing .397/.489/.667 with five home runs, 20 RBI and two steals through 22 games for Low-A Quad Cities.

The sample size is small, but the left-handed Cuban is crushing the ball out of the gate. At 6-foot-5, 225 lbs, Alvarez has home run power as well as the ability to swipe the occasional bag. He fits right at home in the Houston organization, and the Astros likely won't even mind the fact that he's averaging more than a strikeout per game.

Canha was sent down to Triple-A Nashville on Friday.

Canha has been struggling mightily at the plate recently, going just 2-for-29 with 17 strikeouts over his past 10 games and hitting .191/.234/.393 with three home runs and seven RBI on the season. He will be replaced by Jaycob Brugman and heads back to Nashville for the first time since early May. If Canha can rediscover his groove at the plate, he is likely to return to Oakland at some point this summer.

Vogelbach, who went 1-for-4 with a two-run home run in Triple-A Tacoma's 8-3 loss to Reno on Wednesday, is slashing .286/.396/.472 with eight homers and 34 RBI over 192 plate appearances with the Rainiers.

Vogelbach has generated encouraging results during his stints at the minor-league level this season, posting a tolerable 19.1 percent strikeout rate and 14 extra-base hits in addition to his aforementioned line. His overall numbers are a notable improvement over his brief stay with the big-league club earlier in the season, during which Vogelbach hit just .176 over 20 plate appearances. However, given the recent improvement demonstrated by Vogelbach's former first-base platoon mate Danny Valencia, it appears that the former will continue getting his reps at the Triple-A level for the time being.

Lewis (knee) is set to appear at either High-A Modesto or Low-A Clinton on Sunday for his rehab assignment, Bob Dutton of the Tacoma News Tribune reports.

Lewis is still at least a week away from returning after undergoing knee surgery last July and ramped up his progress with a simulated game Monday. The outfielder will report to either one of the Mariners' Single-A affiliates by Sunday to begin his rehab assignment.

Vargas was recalled from Triple-A Rochester on Wednesday following the placement of Jorge Polanco on the bereavement list, MLB.com reports.

Vargas will serve as infield depth at first base and may only wind up being on the Twins for a few days. The switch hitter was sent down to Rochester in late May following an 0-for-8 performance at the plate. Since his demotion, Vargas has gone 3-for-22 at the Triple-A level, with one home run and three RBI.

Miller will be placed on the 10-day disabled list with a right groin strain, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

A trying season for Miller and his fantasy owners continues as the second baseman goes back on the DL just days after being reinstated. He hasn't been producing when healthy, either, as his .194/.343/.302 slash line illustrates, but he also hasn't had many chances to improve over the past month. Miller missed 15 games with his recent abdominal injury and groin strains can be tricky timetables to predict, so it's safe to lock Daniel Robertson back in at the corner stone on a regular basis. Michael Martinez, who was scheduled to be DFA'd, will keep his spot on the roster as a result.

Miller is not in the lineup for Tuesday's game against the White Sox, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Despite just having an off day Monday, Miller will ride the pine, marking his second absence in four games since his return from the DL. It seems the Rays are intent on easing Miller back into a regular role, and Daniel Robertson's success against lefties so far this year affords them that option.

Lewis (knee) played in his first simulated game Monday, according to his personal Twitter account.

He continues to trend in the right direction in his rehab, and Lewis should continue to play in sim games at extended spring training for the next couple weeks before possibly getting assigned to Low-A Clinton. Lewis is one of the best fantasy prospects from last year's draft class, boasting plus-plus raw power and above-average speed to go with a good approach.

Canha (illness) will start in right field and bat eighth Monday against the Blue Jays, Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.

Canha was scratched from the lineup for Sunday's game against the Nationals after experiencing symptoms of dizziness and nausea stemming from a case of the stomach flu, but a day off to recover was seemingly all that the outfielder needed. After meeting with a gastrointestinal specialist, Canha was given clearance to play, so he'll enter the lineup in place of Matt Joyce, who will hit the bench with southpaw J.A. Happ twirling for the Blue Jays.

Martinez went 2-for-4 with two runs scored and his 10th home run of the season in Sunday's win over the White Sox.

What makes his 10 home runs so incredible is the fact that Martinez reached that mark in just 22 games after missing the first month plus of the season due to a sprained foot. As long as he stays healthy, Martinez should remain one of the more productive players in the fantasy universe.