MLB Player News

Manager Joe Espada said Sunday that Alvarez (hand) has a "strong possibility" of returning from the 60-day injured list when the Astros begin their homestand Tuesday versus the Rockies, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports.

Alvarez is on track to make his fourth and likely final rehab appearance for Double-A Corpus Christi on Sunday. Through his first three games on the farm, he's made two starts at designated hitter and one in left field, going 5-for-11 with three doubles, three runs, one RBI, one stolen base and a 2:2 BB:K. Alvarez initially injured his right hand on a swing in late April, but he played through the injury before being placed on the IL on May 5.

Stanton went 1-for-4 with a solo home run in Saturday's loss to the Red Sox.

On a day when the Yankees suffered a blowout loss to their division rival, Stanton at least made sure his team didn't get shut out when he took Garrett Crochet deep in the fourth inning. It was the continuation of a lengthy power surge by the veteran slugger, who has gone deep four times in his past five games and 12 times in his last 25 contests. Stanton is up to 16 long balls on the campaign as he pushes to reach 20 home runs for the fifth straight season despite not getting into any games until mid-June due to elbow injuries.

Carlson is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Astros.

Carlson is out of the lineup for the third game in a row and looks to have moved into a reserve role while Jeremiah Jackson and Dylan Beavers get extended looks in outfield. Though Carlson had begun to show signs of life at the plate by going 9-for-27 (.333 average) with two home runs and a 5:8 BB:K in his last nine games, he's slashing just .206/.262/.344 over 195 plate appearances for Baltimore this season.

Holliday is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Astros.

Holliday had started 22 straight games, so he's likely just receiving a routine day off as Baltimore wraps up its series with Houston. Luis Vazquez will pick up a start at second base.

Mayo is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Astros.

Mayo took a pitch off his right hand Friday, but he was cleared to start Saturday and went 0-for-3 with a walk. The Orioles haven't indicated that Mayo experienced any setbacks, so his absence Sunday looks to be a routine rest day. The 23-year-old has held down a near-everyday role throughout August, but he's slashing just .154/.236/.277 with a 38.9 percent strikeout rate so far this month.

Sanchez is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Orioles.

Sanchez and Jacob Melton will head to the bench while the Orioles send lefty Trevor Rogers to the bump. Mauricio Dubon will replace Sanchez in left field and bat seventh.

Melton is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Orioles.

Melton and Jesus Sanchez will head to the bench while the Orioles send lefty Trevor Rogers to the bump. Chas McCormick will replace Melton in center field and bat ninth.

The Astros optioned Blubaugh to Triple-A Sugar Land on Sunday.

Blubaugh's latest stint with the big club lasted just one day, as the right-hander was put to work in long relief in Saturday's 9-8 win over the Orioles and was unlikely to be available for at least the next few days. The Astros recalled John Rooney from Triple-A to join the bullpen as a replacement for Blubaugh, who struck out four and gave up two earned runs on three hits and one walk over four innings during Saturday's appearance en route to picking up his second win.

The Astros recalled Rooney from Triple-A Sugar Land on Sunday.

Houston optioned AJ Blubaugh to Triple-A to make room for a fresh bullpen arm. Acquired from the Marlins on Aug. 3, Rooney will be joining the big club for the second time this month after failing to make his MLB debut during his initial stint with Houston.

Keith was scratched from the lineup for Sunday's game against the Royals due to an illness, Evan Woodbery of MLive.com reports.

Keith had been slated to start at third base and bat leadoff, but instead Zach McKinstry will get the nod at the hot corner while center fielder Wenceel Perez sets the table. Assuming the illness isn't anything too debilitating, Keith should return to the lineup Monday versus the Athletics. He'd gone 0-for-8 with one walk and five strikeouts over his last three starts, on the heels of a five-game hitting streak.