MLB Player News

Astros manager Dusty Baker said Sunday that he anticipates Altuve (illness) will be ready to return from the COVID-19 injured list early in the upcoming week, Chandler Rome of the Houston Chronicle reports.

After completing a quarantine and gaining clearance to rejoin the Astros this weekend, Altuve disclosed that he had tested positive for the coronavirus. He doesn't appear to have experienced any significant symptoms as a result of contracting the virus, but he'll still likely need another day or two to regain conditioning before the Astros are comfortable activating him. Altuve was spotted fielding groundballs prior to Sunday's game, so it's at least encouraging that he's taking part in baseball activities again.

The White Sox optioned Mendick to their alternate training site Sunday, James Fegan of The Athletic reports.

Mendick hadn't appeared in any of the White Sox's last three games, so the reserve infielder was deemed expendable with the team requiring an extra reliever due to none of Liam Hendriks, Aaron Bummer and Codi Heuer being available for Sunday's series finale against the Rangers. The White Sox recalled Jonathan Stiever in a corresponding move, and he should be capable of filling multiple innings behind starter Michael Kopech.

Arroyo batted leadoff and went 0-for-4 in Saturday's 8-2 loss to the Mariners.

Arroyo was in the leadoff spot for the third time this season. Typically, Enrique Hernandez tops Boston's batting order, but he was given the day off Saturday. Arroyo, who has worked his way from backup utility infielder into a semi-regular role at second base, is hitless in his last eight at-bats.

Haggerty went 3-for-5 with a homer, a steal, a pair of RBI and a pair of runs scored Saturday against Boston.

Haggerty scored on Kyle Seager's two-run triple in the second inning. He later extended the Mariners' lead to five with a solo shot off Josh Taylor in the eighth inning, his second homer of the year. He now sits second on the team with three steals.

Short was optioned to the Tigers' alternate training site following Saturday's loss to the Royals, Cody Stavenhagen of The Athletic reports.

Short was called up by the Tigers on Wednesday and went 1-for-5 with two walks and three strikeouts while appearing in three games. However, he'll now be removed from the major-league roster to make room for Miguel Cabrera (biceps), who will be activated from the 10-day injured list ahead of Sunday's game against Kansas City.

Mayfield was designated for assignment by the Angels on Saturday.

Mayfield was optioned to the Angels' alternate training site April 14, and he'll now be removed from the 40-man roster. The 30-year-old went hitless in three at-bats with the major-league club earlier in the season.

Altuve confirmed Saturday that he had tested positive for COVID-19, but he now feels good, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.

Altuve was one of five players the Astros placed on the COVID-19 injured list last week, but the second baseman was the only one to test positive for the virus. The 30-year-old was cleared to work out with his teammates Friday since he has now cleared the league's health and safety protocols. Altuve said Saturday that he isn't sure when he'll be cleared to return to game action, but he thinks that it will be "pretty soon," Julia Morales of AT&T SportsNet Southwest reports.

Hernandez isn't starting Saturday's game against the Mariners, Pete Abraham of The Boston Globe reports.

Hernandez had recorded hits in four of the last five games and went 5-for-24 with four extra-base hits, four runs and two RBI during that time. Christian Arroyo will take over at second base and lead off Saturday.

Castro is starting at second base and batting seventh in Saturday's game against the Royals.

Castro gets the nod at second with the slumping Niko Goodrum heading to the bench. Castro is batting .294 in limited action this year, but he also batted .347 last year and .291 back in 2019, so the 27-year-old has shown that he's capable of collecting plenty of hits at the MLB level.

Lopez isn't starting Saturday's game against the Tigers.

Lopez had started each of the last five contests and went 4-for-17 with two doubles, four RBI and three runs during that time. Hanser Alberto will start at shortstop while Hunter Dozier starts at the hot corner Saturday.