MLB Player News

Astros general manager Dana Brown expressed optimism Thursday that Altuve (thumb) will be back from the injured list before June, Mark Berman of FOX 26 reports.

Brown said when Altuve had thumb surgery just over a week ago that the second baseman wouldn't be able to resume baseball activities for two months. Evidently that was either a conservative estimate, or the club expects Altuve to get back up to speed very quickly upon ramping things up again. Altuve was notably placed on the 10-day IL on Thursday rather than the 60-day IL, leaving open the possibility for an earlier return.

The Astros placed Altuve on the 10-day injured list with a fractured right thumb Thursday.

It's notable that the Astros aren't placing him on the 60-day IL yet even as he's not expected to resume baseball activities until mid- to late-May. It still seems likely Altuve eventually winds up on the 60-day IL, but the Astros are keeping their options open to begin the regular season.

Polanco (knee) was placed on the 10-day injured list. He ran the bases before the Twins departed spring training and plans to take some live at-bats this week, the St. Paul Pioneer Press reports. "I think the one thing that we all need to be cognizant of is that Jorge hasn't had a spring training this year and the smart thing, and I think the wise thing, to do is to allow him to progress along like we have allowed the 26 guys that are on our team," Twins head trainer Nick Paparesta said.

Polanco missed the final month of 2022 with a knee injury, and his progress stalled in the Grapefruit League. Just a week ago the Twins were talking about him playing in minor league games, but now it sounds like any game action may be weeks away. Paparesta's comments make it sound like his ramp up could extend into late April or early May.

Haggerty hit .290 (9-for-31) with two doubles, a triple, a home run and four RBI across 34 Cactus League plate appearances.

The valued utility player put together a line representative of his ability to contribute in a wide variety of offensive categories. Haggerty generated a solid .256 average and .738 OPS across 83 games last season, and the 28-year-old also contributed a career-high 13 stolen bases in the process. Haggerty's ability to fill in at every position except catcher and first base will be especially valued while the similarly versatile Dylan Moore (oblique) is on the injured list, which projects to be until mid-April.

Gonzalez could start in right field for the White Sox in Thursday's opener versus the Astros, Daryl Van Schouwen of the Chicago Sun-Times reports.

Oscar Colas is in line for the bulk of the playing time in right field, but with the Astros starting southpaw Framber Valdez, the left-handed hitting Colas might start on the bench in favor of Gonzalez, with Eloy Jimenez handling the designated hitter spot. Gonzalez clubbed five homers this spring, and while it's a small sample, he sports an .874 OPS versus lefties in the big leagues.

The Blue Jays reassigned Capra to minor-league camp Tuesday, Arden Zwelling of Sportsnet.ca reports.

Capra is expected to begin the season at Triple-A Buffalo after missing out on his bid for a bench role on the Blue Jays' Opening Day roster. With Toronto also optioning Otto Lopez to Buffalo on Tuesday, outfielder Nathan Lukes appears to have clinched the final reserve spot on the big club's season-opening squad.

The Astros optioned Bannon to Triple-A Sugar Land on Tuesday, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.

Bannon was battling for a spot on the Astros bench in spring training, but the 26-year-old will begin the season with Sugar Land instead. He has a shot to be up with Houston this summer as a bench option, but he's unlikely to be a regular with the club in 2023 or beyond.

Gimenez and the Guardians agreed Tuesday on a seven-year, $106.5 million contract extension that includes a $23 million club option for 2030, Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic reports.

The buyout on the option is $2.5 million, so Gimenez is guaranteed at least $109 million and could get as much as $128 million if the option is picked up and he hits all incentives. The long-term deal starts in 2023 and covers Gimenez's last pre-arbitration year, all three arbitration years as well as three and potentially four free agent years. The 24-year-old made his first All-Star team and won a Gold Glove in 2022 with Cleveland, collecting a .297/.371/.466 batting line with 17 home runs and 20 stolen bases along the way. The Guardians are also discussing a contract extension with Amed Rosario, among others, so they could lock up their middle infield for a while.

Gimenez and the Guardians are finalizing a long-term contract extension, Jeff Passan of ESPN.com reports.

The particulars of the deal aren't known at this time. Gimenez is coming off a season which saw him bat .297/.371/.466 with 17 home runs and 20 stolen bases, winning a Gold Glove and posting a 7.4 bWAR in the process. The 24-year-old is currently not yet arbitration eligible and is under team control through 2026.

Astros general manager Dana Brown told reporters Monday that Altuve (thumb) could be placed on the 60-day injured list, Michael Connor of 790 Sports Houston reports.

Brown told reporters that they will decide if Altuve will head to the 60-day IL on Tuesday. The infielder is going to miss at least two months after undergoing surgery on his fractured right thumb, and a placement on the 60-day list would open up a 40-man roster spot for Houston. It would also mean that he can't come back until June, but that seems like Altuve's most likely ETA to rejoin the Houston lineup.