MLB Player News

Alvarez (hand) will serve as Houston's designated hitter and No. 3 batter in the second game of Thursday's doubleheader with the Yankees, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.

Houston activated Alvarez from the 10-day injured list prior to Game 1, but he was withheld from the lineup for the early contest, as manager Dusty Baker understandably wasn't keen on having the team's top hitter play 18 innings in one day in his first game back from an injury. Alvarez still made a cameo off the bench as a pinch hitter in the Astros' 3-2 win in Game 1, walking in his lone plate appearance. As expected, he'll now re-enter the lineup for what will be his first start since July 9.

Ramirez (thumb) was placed on the 10-day injured list Thursday, retroactive to July 18, Neil Solondz of the Rays Radio Network reports.

Ramirez suffered a right thumb fracture after he was hit by a pitch Sunday against the Athletics. He's expected to be re-evaluated at the end of the month and is not eligible to return until July 28, though he's unlikely to be healthy by that point. The Rays signed Roman Quinn to a major-league contract on Thursday, and the outfielder will replace Ramirez on the active roster.

Cabrera is out of the lineup for the first game of Thursday's doubleheader in Oakland.

Following his appearance in Tuesday's All-Star Game as a legacy selection, the 39-year-old Cabrera will get a breather as the Tigers open up their second-half schedule. Expect Cabrera to re-enter the lineup for the nightcap, while Javier Baez gets a turn as the Tigers' designated hitter in the early game.

Miller was placed on the 10-day injured list with a neck strain Thursday, retroactive to July 18.

Miller was out of the lineup for Thursday's game against Miami, and his absence was apparently due to a neck issue that will keep him sidelined for at least a week and a half. He'll be eligible to return as early as July 28, but it's not yet clear when the Rangers expect to have him back in action. Ezequiel Duran was called up to provide additional infield depth, while Elier Hernandez should see an uptick in playing time during Miller's absence.

Mariners general manager Jerry Dipoto confirmed that Lewis (concussion) is on track to return from the 7-day injured list for Friday's series opener with the Astros, Shannon Drayer of 710 ESPN Seattle reports.

Unless Lewis suffers a setback in his recovery from the concussion in the next 24 hours, he looks like he'll be ready to play for the big club for the first time since late May. Before the All-Star break, Lewis wrapped up a 10-game rehab assignment between Triple-A Tacoma and High-A Everett, during which he slashed .261/.400/.913 with five home runs and six walks against six strikeouts. Upon returning from the IL, Lewis could take on a near-everyday role in right field, where utility men Sam Haggerty and Dylan Moore have been picking up most of the reps of late.

Alvarez (hand) was reinstated from the 10-day injured list Thursday, but he'll be on the bench for the first game of the Astros' doubleheader with the Yankees.

Manager Dusty Baker will roll with Chas McCormick as the team's designated hitter and Aledmys Diaz as the team's left fielder in Game 1, but Alvarez is fully expected to rejoin the lineup for the nightcap at one of those two positions, per Danielle Lerner of the Houston Chronicle. The doubleheader marks the start of a stretch of 19 games in 18 days for the Astros, so it wouldn't be surprising if Alvarez rests one at least one more occasion in the next two and a half weeks, even if his right hand doesn't present any issues.

The Astros reinstated Alvarez (hand) from the 10-day injured list ahead of the first game of Thursday's doubleheader with the Yankees, Mark Berman of Fox 26 Houston reports.

Houston optioned outfielder Jose Siri to Triple-A Sugar Land to clear room on the 26-man active roster for Alvarez, who ended up spending the minimum amount of time on the IL due to right hand inflammation. Since Houston is opening its second-half schedule with 19 games in 18 days, Alvarez will be a candidate to rest at least once or twice during that stretch, but he'll otherwise be a fixture in the everyday lineup if his hand provides him no further complications. Before hitting the shelf and having to miss the All-Star Game as a result of the injury, Alvarez hit .306 with 26 home runs, 60 RBI and 57 runs in 75 games.

Stanton is not in the starting lineup for Game 1 of Thursday's doubleheader against the Astros.

Stanton will get a breather for the early game after he played in Tuesday's All-Star Game in Los Angeles, launching a two-run homer and winning the game's MVP award in the American League's 3-2 victory. Joey Gallo will get the start in right field and bat ninth in Thursday's matinee.

Miller is out of the lineup for Thursday's game in Miami.

Though the Marlins are bringing right-hander Pablo Lopez to the hill for the make-up game in Miami, the lefty-hitting Miller will cede his role as the Rangers' designated hitter to the righty-hitting Elier Hernandez. It's not clear if manager Chris Woodward is abandoning the platoon between the two players, but Miller hasn't made a compelling case of late to deserve the larger share of playing time. Dating back to June 15, Miller is hitting .158/.200/.175 over a stretch of 20 games.

Astros manager Dusty Baker said Sunday that Brantley is in the "same spot" with his recovery from right shoulder discomfort since initially landing on the injured list June 28, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports. "We just hope for the better. That was the shoulder he got operated on years ago. He's still a little sore," Baker said of Brantley.

Baker indicated that Brantley appeared to take a step forward after he was cleared to hit last Thursday, but the 35-year-old had to be shut back down while he continued to experience discomfort. With that in mind, Brantley doesn't look like he'll be ready to come off the IL following the All-Star break, and a clearer timeline for his return likely won't be available until he resumes baseball activities.