MLB Player News

Houston optioned Madris to Triple-A Sugar Land on Wednesday, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.

Madris had been up with the Astros since June 22, but he played in only 12 games and slashed .154/.267/.192 across 30 plate appearances. Yordan Alvarez (oblique) and Jose Altuve (oblique) are both back from the injured list ahead of Wednesday's series finale against the Rangers.

The Astros reinstated Alvarez (oblique) from the 10-day injured list Wednesday, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.

Now that he's been activated, Alvarez will presumably return to the lineup Wednesday against the Rangers for what will be his first game with the Astros since June 8. Alvarez has taken longer than expected to heal up from the right oblique injury, but the Astros are hopeful he'll be able to shake off any rust quickly to provide a much-needed boost to the lineup. Prior to being activated, Alvarez made three rehab appearances with Triple-A Sugar Land last week, going 3-for-9 with a double and two walks.

Vientos is starting at third base and batting second Wednesday versus the Yankees.

This is the highest major-league lineup spot of the year for Vientos, who has gone 4-for-10 with a double since being recalled from Triple-A Syracuse last Thursday. Brett Baty continues to struggle offensively and the underperforming Mets might move some parts at the trade deadline, so Vientos could perhaps be in for an elevated role down the stretch between the hot corner and DH.

Canha will start in left field and bat seventh in Wednesday's game against the Yankees.

Despite going hitless in the Mets' last three games to bring his batting average down to .235, Canha will stick in the lineup for the eighth time in nine contests. With Starling Marte (migraines) hitting the injured list last week, Canha looks like he'll be locked into a near-everyday role for the time being.

Vogelbach is out of the lineup Wednesday against the Yankees.

Tommy Pham (groin) is back in the lineup at DH with the Mets facing left-hander Carlos Rodon. Mark Canha, Brandon Nimmo and Jeff McNeil will start across the outfield.

Turner is starting at second base and hitting second in Wednesday's contest versus Atlanta, Mac Cerullo of the Boston Herald reports.

It will be his third start this season and eighth appearance at second base, which is actually one more appearance than he's made this year at his more familiar third base. Turner reached base three times and scored a pair of runs in the first game of the series Tuesday.

McCutchen is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Padres, Jason Mackey of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.

The Pirates are concluding their series in San Diego with a day game after a night game, so McCutchen will head to the bench in what appears to be a veteran rest day. With McCutchen out of the lineup, Ji-Man Choi will pick up a start at first base while Carlos Santana serves as the Bucs' designated hitter.

Vogelbach went 1-for-3 with a solo home run in Tuesday's win over the Yankees.

The 30-year-old hammered a Domingo German curveball over the wall in right-center in the sixth inning, going back-to-back with Pete Alonso to give the Mets a 6-0 lead. Vogelbach has gone yard in his last two starts, but he's batting just .235 (4-for-17) since the All-Star break as he struggles to get into the lineup on a consistent basis. On the season, he's slashing a rough .226/.330/.376 with seven homers and 29 RBI in 71 games.

Milwaukee placed Winker on the 10-day injured list Wednesday with back spasms.

Winker will be unavailable for at least nine more days as he tends to a troublesome back. Abraham Toro was recalled from Triple-A Nashville and will replace Winker on the 26-man active roster. Before being deactivated, Winker appeared to have lost hold of his role as a strong-side platoon man at designated hitter. He was on the bench for three of Milwaukee's last five matchups with right-handed starting pitchers.

Meneses went 3-for-4 with a double, a three-run home run and a second run scored in Tuesday's 6-5 win over the Rockies.

The 31-year-old supplied the big blow for the Nationals, taking Justin Lawrence deep in the eighth inning for the game's final runs. Meneses had a sluggish start to the season, but through 19 games in July he's slashing .268/.329/.535 with five of his seven homers on the season.