MLB Player News

Altuve went 1-for-4 with a solo home run in Sunday's 6-5 loss to the Rangers.

Altuve went yard in the fourth inning to get the Astros on the board. The second baseman has homered three times over his last six games, though he's at just 11 long balls on the year. He's also batting .235 with a .711 OPS, 27 RBI, 45 runs scored, 13 doubles, one triple and two stolen bases across 74 contests. He's been declining for a few years, but his OPS would be his lowest since he had a .630 mark in the abbreviated 2020 campaign.

Hader (3-1) allowed a run on three hits while failing to record an out, taking the loss Sunday versus the Rangers.

Hader was called upon in a non-save situation Sunday, but he failed to keep the game tied at 5-5. He allowed a walk-off single to Brandon Nimmo. It's just the second time in 17 appearances Hader has given up a run this season, and he remains a perfect 10-for-10 in save chances. Hader has added a 1.17 ERA, 0.91 WHIP and 25:8 K:BB over 15.1 innings as the Astros' unquestioned closer since making his season debut June 3.

Javier allowed three runs on four hits and three walks while striking out four over three innings in a no-decision versus the Rangers on Sunday.

Javier made his first start and third appearance since returning from a three-month absence due to a shoulder injury. The results weren't great, as he struggled heavily in the second inning, though the Astros were able to get him off the hook later in the contest. Javier has pitched to a 9.98 ERA and 12:15 K:BB across 15.1 innings over six appearances (four starts) this season. With reinforcements on the way from the injured list in the latter part of July, Javier will need to show a better overall performance if he's to stay in the conversation for a rotation spot.

Nimmo went 3-for-5 with two RBI in Sunday's 6-5 win over the Astros.

Nimmo's three hits were all singles, and two of them drove in runs. His last of the game was a walk-off knock against Josh Hader. Since recovering from a brief absence due to a shoulder injury, Nimmo has gone 8-for-29 (.276) with five RBI over eight games. He's batting .263 with a .756 OPS, nine home runs, 34 RBI, 38 runs scored, 21 doubles, three triples and four stolen bases over 90 contests this season.

Higashioka went 1-for-4 with a solo home run in Sunday's 6-5 win over the Astros.

Higashioka went yard in the eighth inning, tying the game at 5-5 a half-inning after the Astros had pulled ahead. Higashioka has started three of the last four games behind the dish for the Rangers, perhaps suggesting he's clawing back some playing time from Elias Diaz. Higashioka is batting .220 with a .670 OPS, seven homers, 17 RBI, 19 runs scored, three doubles and no stolen bases over 177 plate appearances.

Taveras went 2-for-4 with a home run, three RBI and an additional run scored in Sunday's 8-2 win over the Royals.

Taveras tallied his second-highest RBI output of the season, last collecting at least three RBI during the April 20 win in Kansas City. The switch-hitting outfielder had gone hitless in his prior 15 at-bats to Sunday and remains stuck in a part-time role, slashing an uninspiring .237/.314/.364 with 19 extra-base hits, 34 RBI, 10 stolen bases and 35 runs scored over 290 plate appearances this year.

Gore allowed one run on two hits and a walk while striking out four over four innings in a no-decision versus the Astros.

Jacob deGrom was scratched due to a glute injury, and Gore stepped up to pitch on short rest. Gore threw 39 of 65 pitches for strikes and limited the damage to a Jose Altuve solo shot in the fourth inning. Gore had given up 12 runs over his previous 10 innings. The southpaw is now at a 4.63 ERA, 1.29 WHIP and 115:41 K:BB through 105 innings over 20 starts this season. Expect him to go back to normal rest after the All-Star break, though his effectiveness Sunday in a shorter outing could be something to keep an eye on.

Lugo took a no-decision Sunday against the Orioles, allowing two runs on four hits and two walks in four innings. He struck out six.

Just one of the hits allowed went for extra bases, though it was a two-run home run off the bat of Leody Taveras in the second inning. The 36-year-old right-hander looked spry to begin the campaign, posting a 1.15 ERA and 0.93 WHIP over his first five appearances, but he's limped to a 6.01 ERA and 1.65 WHIP while failing to produce a scoreless start across his last 14 outings. For the season, Lugo has a pedestrian 4.56 ERA, 1.43 WHIP and 86:34 K:BB through 104.2 innings.

Baz took a no-decision Sunday against the Royals, allowing two runs (one earned) on seven hits and no walks in 4.2 innings. He struck out nine.

It was a mixed bag for Baz, who gave up three extra-base hits in an abbreviated start but matched a season high in punchouts. Although the 27-year-old right-hander had a 5.48 ERA and 1.56 WHIP through his first eight outings of the year, he's fared far better lately with a 3.21 ERA and 1.26 WHIP across his last 11 appearances. For the campaign, Baz has a 4.11 ERA, 1.38 WHIP and 99:42 K:BB over 111.2 innings in his first year with the Orioles.

Guzman went 2-for-4 with a solo home run in Sunday's 4-2 loss to the Twins.

Guzman had gone 15 games without a homer, hitting .236 with two doubles in that span. The infielder provided the Angels' second run of the game when he went deep off Taj Bradley in the seventh inning. Guzman is now hitting .262 with a .718 OPS, four homers, 14 RBI, 11 runs scored, four doubles and one stolen base over 114 plate appearances this season.