MLB Player News

Altuve went 2-for-6 with a solo home run Wednesday against the Athletics.

Altuve got the Astros off to a quick start by smacking a home run as the first batter of the contest. It was his fifth round tripper of the season, four of which have come in his last 12 games. He has a hit in every game in that same span, highlighted by nine multi-hit contests, nine RBI and 10 runs scored. For the season, Altuve is now hitting .308/.362/.466 across 32 games.

Hernandez went 3-for-5 with a solo home run, a double and two total runs scored in Wednesday's 7-3 win over Toronto.

The 29-year-old hit a leadoff single in the first inning and scored on an Alex Verdugo two-run homer. In the second, Hernandez went yard to extend Boston's lead to 6-1. The utilityman hasn't missed a beat in two games since returning from a hamstring injury. He's seeing regular playing time in center field. Hernandez is slashing .254/.308/.459 with five homers, 11 RBI and 21 runs scored across 133 plate appearances.

Mayfield was called up from Triple-A Tacoma and will bat seventh as the second baseman Wednesday against Detroit, Corey Brock of The Athletic reports.

The infielder was called up to fill the spot of Dylan Moore (calf), who went to the injured list Wednesday. Mayfield had three hitless at-bats with the Angels in early April and has shuttled between the Rainiers and the big-league club since latching on with the Mariners organization April 27.

Torres (COVID-19 protocols) is batting fifth and playing shortstop Wednesday against the Rangers.

Positive COVID-19 tests have kept Torres out of action since May 11, but the shortstop finally returns to New York's starting lineup. Torres has struggled at the plate this season but was beginning to heat up with six RBI in his last seven games before going to the COVID-19 list.

Lowe went 2-for-5 with an RBI single in a win over the Orioles on Tuesday.

Lowe has now reached safely in eight straight games following Tuesday's multi-hit effort, which also vaulted his average over the .200 mark for the first time since April 10. The 26-year-old is still striking out at an unacceptable 30.2 percent rate, but he sports an impressive .280/.400/.560 line with a double, two home runs, four RBI, four walks, one hit by pitch and six runs during his aforementioned streak.

Castro went 3-for-4 with a double and a run scored Tuesday in the Tigers' 5-0 win over the Mariners.

Castro has now turned in multi-hit efforts in five of his last seven contests, lifting his season average to .323. Given that the Detroit offense that's been one of MLB's least productive units this season, Castro could be in store for an enhanced role while he's wielding a hot bat.

Hernandez (hamstring) went 1-for-4 in Tuesday's 8-0 loss to the Blue Jays.

Hernandez was activated off the injured list and immediately placed in the starting lineup. He was in center field and slotted in at his customary leadoff spot.

Gimenez was optioned to Triple-A Columbus on Tuesday, Mandy Bell of MLB.com reports.

The 22-year-old began the season as the primary shortstop for Cleveland, but he started only one of the past five games and will make his way to Triple-A. Gimenez has posted a .179/.226/.308 slash line and 29.4 percent strikeout rate through 85 plate appearances this season.

Biggio (neck) was moved to DH for Tuesday's game against the Red Sox, Ben Nicholson-Smith of Sportsnet.ca reports.

The neck soreness is making it difficult for Biggio to throw, according to manager Charlie Montoyo. The issue appears to be minor, but it's yet to be seen whether the infielder's hitting will suffer as well from the neck soreness.

Torres (illness) is joining the team in Texas and could be activated from the COVID-19 injured list Wednesday, Lindsey Adler of The Athletic reports.

The 24-year-old has been sidelined since testing positive for COVID-19 last week, but he was cleared by the joint committee and is traveling to join the Yankees on Tuesday. It appears likely Torres will be back for Wednesday's matchup with the Rangers, barring any setbacks.