MLB Player News

Valdez is starting at second base and batting seventh for the Red Sox in Wednesday's game against the Blue Jays, Chris Cotillo of The Springfield Republican reports.

Valdez got a day off Tuesday versus a lefty, but this will be his sixth start at second base in the last seven games. The 24-year-old is limited defensively, but he's 8-for-24 with a homer and three doubles as his big-league career gets underway.

Altuve (thumb) said Wednesday that he's been cleared to field groundballs and test his grip on a bat, but he hasn't been cleared to swing as of yet, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports.

Altuve said that the next two weeks of his rehab are "really important" with regard to shaping his timeline for a return from the 10-day injured list. The infielder has missed all of the 2023 season after breaking his right thumb during the World Baseball Classic. It's a positive sign that Altuve is able to start fielding grounders and potentially grip a bat, but he still has several checkpoints to hit in his recovery before he'll be able to contribute for Houston and fantasy teams.

Arroyo went 1-for-4 with a solo home run in Tuesday's 7-6 win over the Blue Jays.

Getting the start at second base and batting seventh, Arroyo took Yusei Kikuchi deep in the second inning for his first homer of the year. The veteran infielder appears to have fallen to the short side of a platoon at the keystone with rookie Enmanuel Valdez getting regular work against right-handed pitching, and while Arroyo's tepid .246/.288/.348 slash line through 74 plate appearances doesn't make a strong case for more playing time, he does have six hits, five RBI and four runs in his last three starts.

Diaz is out of the starting lineup for Tuesday's series opener against the Mariners, Martin Gallegos of MLB.com reports.

Diaz has seen consistent playing time since being brought up from Triple-A Las Vegas, but he'll begin Tuesday's contest against Bryce Miller and the Mariners on the bench. Tony Kemp is playing second base and hitting eighth while Jace Peterson hits fifth and plays third.

Altuve (thumb) fielded grounders pregame at Minute Maid Park on Tuesday, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports.

It appears to be the first bit of baseball activity Altuve has performed since he had surgery in late March to repair a fractured right thumb. Altuve is also slated to be examined by the doctor Tuesday to gauge his progress. Based on how that visit goes, we might get a clearer picture on his timetable.

Dubon went 3-for-5 with a double, a stolen base, two RBI and two runs scored Monday against the Giants.

Dubon was the driver of the Houston offense for most of Monday night, as he tallied RBI hits to tie the game and to give the team the lead in the fifth and seventh innings, respectively. He had been in a cold spell at the plate entering the contest, going just 6-for-29 with no RBI and four runs scored across his previous seven games. Overall, Dubon has still had an impressive start to the season, maintaining a .340 on-base percentage and tallying 40 runs across 106 plate appearances while regularly serving as the leadoff hitter.

Gonzalez was placed on the 10-day injured list Tuesday, retroactive to May 1, with right shoulder inflammation.

Gonzalez will miss at least the next nine days while recovering from what sounds like a minor shoulder issue. The 26-year-old utilityman had gone just 5-for-36 (.139) with a .333 OPS through 21 games this season with Chicago.

Lopez was placed on the 10-day injured list by the Royals on Tuesday due to appendicitis, Anne Rogers of MLB.com reports.

Presumably, Lopez will need a few weeks of recovery time following an appendectomy. The infielder hasn't had a set starting position this season but has essentially been a regular between third base, second base and shortstop. Maikel Garcia is taking his roster spot.

Hernandez started at shortstop and went 1-for-4 in Monday's 6-5 win over Toronto.

Hernandez returned to the lineup after missing two days with ankle soreness. His biggest impact on the game came in the field, as Hernandez committed two throwing errors in the eighth inning that allowed the Blue Jays to tie the game. He ranks last among shortstops at minus-6 OAA. That poor fielding could result in more starts for Christian Arroyo at short, as the the Red Sox attempt to get by until Trevor Story's expected return from an elbow injury during the second half of the season.

Valdez started at second base and went 2-for-4 with a two-run home run and a stolen base in Monday's 6-5 win over the Blue Jays.

Valdez, who made his fifth straight start at second base, drilled a 427-foot bullet to center field, giving Boston a 5-3 lead in the sixth inning. It was the first home run of his MLB career. The 25-year-old infielder was called up to Boston when Yu Chang (wrist) landed on the IL and has produced better than his .184 average at Triple-A Worcester suggested he might. Valdez has hit safely in six of seven games, going 8-for-24 with three RBI, one stolen base and three runs.