MLB Player News

Polanco is not in the starting lineup Saturday against the Orioles, LaVelle E. Neal III of the Minneapolis Star Tribune reports.

Polanco has been ice cold at the plate recently, hitting just .107/.167/.179 over his last seven games, so he heads to the bench for the second time in the last five contests. Ehire Adrianza will take over at shortstop and bat seventh against probable Baltimore starter Wade Miley.

Altuve, as expected, is not in the starting lineup Saturday against the Blue Jays.

Manager A.J. Hinch said Altuve would get a rest day Saturday, and that's exactly the case. Marwin Gonzalez will fill in at second base and bat fifth, pushing Josh Reddick into the No. 2 hole. Altuve has recorded three hits in four consecutive games, raising his season OPS to a blistering .950.

Altuve will get the day off Saturday, Keegan Matheson of MLB.com reports.

Altuve recorded his fourth consecutive three-hit game Friday against Toronto and is now hitting a brilliant .342/.410/.539. He has taken just four days off all season and just one since May 14th, so he'll get a chance to rest before heading off to take part in the All-Star Game festivities.

Altuve went 3-for-5 with a run scored in Friday's 12-2 win over the Blue Jays.

Since moving to the second spot in the batting order four games ago, Altuve has blown up, going 12-for-20 and producing three hits in each game. Altuve's added five runs and seven RBI during that run.

Semien (wrist) went 1-for-4 with a walk, a stolen base and two runs in Thursday's 7-4 win over the Mariners.

Semien wasted no time getting back into the swing of things in his first game action since April 14, even getting the green light on the basepaths. The 26-year-old had been scuffling at the plate before his injury, but had only logged 35 official at-bats before being sidelined. With what Semien and the team hope will be a much more extended sample in front of him, the slugging shortstop will look to get back to the type of production he proved capable of in a breakout 2016 campaign (56 extra-base hits, 75 RBI).

Giavotella's contract was selected from Triple-A Norfolk on Thursday.

Although it's not saying much, Giavotella has been having an excellent season with the Tides. He's batting .306 while walking nearly as often as he strikes out (34:41 BB:K). He'll forego his Triple-A All Star selection to head to the majors to provide some infield depth off the bench. To make room for him on the active roster, Jayson Aquino was optioned to Triple-A and David Washington was designated for assignment.

Semien (wrist) was reinstated from the disabled list Thursday.

As anticipated, the 26-year-old shortstop will resume his regular duties for the Athletics ahead of Thursday's series opener with the Mariners. Semien did miss a good chunk of time due to this injury, so it wouldn't be surprising to see the Athletics ease him back into action. Once he does get back to full duty, however, he'll likely take over as the primary shortstop and knock Franklin Barreto to the bench. To make room for him on the active roster, Jharel Cotton (finger) was sent to the disabled list and Andrew Triggs (hip) was moved to the 60-day DL.

Altuve went 3-for-5 with a double, two runs scored, an RBI and a stolen base in Wednesday's 10-4 win over the Braves.

It's his second straight three-hit performance, extending his on-base streak to 13 games, and Altuve now has five steals in his last seven games and 17 on the year, putting him on pace for his sixth straight season with 30 or more.

Espinosa is out of the lineup Wednesday against the Twins.

It will mark the second consecutive game that Espinosa will be on the bench, an indication that his hold on an everyday role at the keystone is slipping. The Angels will go with their third different second baseman is as many days with Cliff Pennington receiving the start Wednesday after Nick Franklin handled the position Tuesday.

Andrus was put on the paternity list prior to Wednesday's series finale against Boston, Stefan Stevenson of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram reports.

Andrus will miss Wednesday's game and could be out until Sunday if he winds up spending the full three games away from the team. This marks the first time in nine years since Andrus is not on the active roster for Texas. In a corresponding move, the team recalled Jurickson Profar from the minors to start at shortstop while Andrus is away.