MLB Player News

Massey went 3-for-4 with a two-RBI triple in Sunday's win over the Guardians.

Massey recorded his first three-hit game of the season and the second of his career. He helped give the Royals some breathing room with a two-run triple in the sixth to put them up 4-1 and head into the All-Star break on a high note. Prior to Sunday's outing, Massey had gone just 1-for-12 in four games since coming off the injured list and is now slashing .220/.277/.320 with 11 extra-base hits, 22 RBI, 15 runs and a 14:62 BB:K in 220 plate appearances.

Julien went 2-for-4 with a solo home run and an RBI double in Sunday's 15-2 loss to the Orioles.

Julien accounted for half of the Twins' hits and all of their run production. The second baseman has three homers and two doubles over his last five games. He's at a respectable .271/.349/.504 slash line with seven homers, 13 RBI, 19 runs scored, 10 doubles and a stolen base through 153 plate appearances. Jorge Polanco (hamstring) is likely out another week, so Julien should maintain a strong-side platoon role at second base early in the second half.

Astros general manager Dana Brown said Sunday that Altuve (oblique) is healing faster than anticipated, but the second baseman isn't expected to be activated from the 10-day injured list when first eligible July 14, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports.

Brown's comments came after Altuve was able to take grounders at second base prior to Sunday's game against the Mariners, per Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports. Though the GM didn't put a firm target date on Altuve's return from the IL, Brown suggested that the eight-time All-Star is about a week behind slugger Yordan Alvarez (oblique) in their respective recovery programs. Alvarez is expected to begin a rehab assignment shortly after the All-Star break, so if all goes well in Altuve's recovery over the next week, the 33-year-old could be cleared to join a minor-league affiliate the week after. Mauricio Dubon should continue to handle the keystone on an everyday basis until Altuve is deemed ready to return from the IL.

President of baseball operations Derek Falvey said Sunday he hopes Polanco (hamstring) will be able to begin a rehab assignment with Triple-A St. Paul "around next weekend," Betsy Helfand of the St. Paul Pioneer Press reports.

The 30-year-old returned to baseball activities in late June and is hoping to ramp up his running program this week, which could be the final hurdle before being cleared for game action. Polanco landed on the shelf June 10 with a hamstring strain and will likely require a handful of games in the minors before rejoining the Twins.

Dubon will start at second base and bat leadoff in Sunday's game against the Mariners.

Dubon will close out the Astros' first-half schedule with his 10th consecutive start. He made the first four of those starts at shortstop while Jeremy Pena dealt with neck tightness, but Dubon has since shifted over to second base as a replacement for the injured Jose Altuve (oblique). Additionally, Dubon has assumed Altuve's role as the Astros' table setter, as Dubon will lead off in a sixth straight game after going 5-for-21 with a triple, two RBI and a run scored in the prior five contests.

Frazier is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Twins, Roch Kubatko of MASNSports.comreports.

Frazier is 6-for-19 with a double, a home run and five RBI over his past six games, but he'll head to the bench Sunday for the second time during the three-game set in Minnesota. Jordan Westburg will shift to second base while Ramon Urias starts at the hot corner.

Lowe is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against Atlanta, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Even though Atlanta is bringing right-hander Bryce Elder to the bump for the series finale, the lefty-hitting Lowe will take a seat and get an early start on the All-Star break. Taylor Walls will check in at the keystone for Lowe, who has gone 3-for-11 with two doubles, three walks, one stolen base and two RBI while starting in four of six games since being reinstated from the injured list Tuesday.

Caballero is not in the lineup for Sunday's game against the Astros, Shannon Drayer of Seattle Sports 710 AM reports.

The 26-year-old made a string of six straight starts from June 11-17, but Kolten Wong, who is starting Sunday, has since reclaimed primary duties at second base with 13 starts in 20 games. Caballero had an .825 OPS in his first 25 games of the season but has struggled to a .619 OPS over the past six weeks.

Short is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Blue Jays.

Short had started in four of the Tigers' previous five games, but he's unlikely to stick around as a regular in the lineup with Detroit recently welcoming two everyday players in Riley Greene and Akil Baddoo back from the injured list. Second base likely represents Short's most realistic path to playing time, but Andy Ibanez appears to be the Tigers' preferred option at the position at the moment.

Diaz is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Red Sox.

Diaz had started each of the last five games and went 6-for-19 with a home run over that span, but he benefited from the Athletics facing off against four left-handed starters during that stretch. The 22-year-old will be on the bench Sunday versus right-hander Tayler Scott and looks as though he could be stuck in a short-side platoon role for the time being.