MLB Player News

Lowe (quad) played in a simulated game at Tropicana Field on Saturday and suffered no setbacks, Juan Toribio of MLB.com reports.

Lowe played four innings at second base and turned a couple double plays. He also drew three plate appearances, collecting two hits and a walk. The Rays are expected to make a decision regarding the activation of Lowe soon, as he won't be able to make any minor-league rehab appearances.

Torres (hamstring) is not expected to start Sunday against the Blue Jays, Bryan Hoch of MLB.com reports.

The news on Torres is positive; his MRI was negative and he said he feels ready to play already after leaving Friday's game with weakness in his legs. However, manager Aaron Boone indicated he will play it safe and hold Torres out of the finale against Toronto to take advantage of Monday's off day.

Semien, who went 1-for-5 with an RBI double in a win over the Rangers on Friday, has hit a career-high 40 two-baggers this season and is tied with multiple players for third in that category in the American League.

Semien's latest milestone is just another component of a stellar contract season, one that he should be able to parlay into a handsome payday this offseason. The doubles benchmark is the latest among a collection of 2019 career bests for Semien, who has an eye-popping 78 extra-base hits overall thanks to a new high-water mark in home runs (31) and a career-high-tying seven triples.

An MRI on Torres' right hamstring came back negative, Brendan Kuty of The Newark Star-Ledger reports.

Torres reported feeling good Saturday after leaving Friday's game with leg weakness, but the Yankees weren't taking any chances with their star infielder. They can breathe a sigh of relief knowing it's nothing serious. A return Sunday has not been ruled out, but it would make sense if the team sat Torres at least through Monday's off day.

Torres will undergo an MRI on his right hamstring Saturday, Meredith Marakovits of YES Network reports.

Manager Aaron Boone said Torres reported feeling good upon arrival to the ballpark, but the Yankees want to be absolutely sure that there's nothing serious behind the leg "weakness" that forced Torres from Friday's game. Tyler Wade is starting at second base in Torres' absence.

Torres (legs) is not in the lineup for Saturday's game against the Blue Jays, Pete Caldera of The Bergen Record reports.

After leaving Friday's game with weakness in his legs, Torres was to be checked out by the medical staff Saturday. It's not clear if he's been evaluated yet as there has been no follow-up from the Yankees. Tyler Wade is set to man second base in place of Torres, who should be considered day-to-day until further notice.

Chavis (oblique) will play winter ball in Puerto Rico, Chris Cotillo of MassLive.com reports.

Chavis, who is likely to be shut down for the remainder of the regular season, will play first base, second base and get some repetitions in left field while playing for Caguas Criollos. The 24-year-old has never played left field in the majors but will try to add position flexibility moving forward.

Rangers general manager Jon Daniels said Andrus will face competition for the starting shortstop job next season, Evan Grant of the Dallas Morning News reports.

The Rangers would love to see Andrus grab hold of the job, but nothing will be guaranteed for the 31-year-old, who is looking at a second straight season with a sub-.700 OPS and fifth season overall below .700 with more than 600 plate appearances. Shortstops with Gold Gloves can get by with those figures, but Andrus is not an elite fielder. "I think [competition] would be healthy," Daniels said of Andrus' role as the club's starting shortstop going into 2020. "Elvis has got to perform at a higher level. He's capable of more and we need more." The Rangers can look at Danny Santana as an in-house option to challenge Andrus, who said he plans to shed weight during the offseason leading into the final year of his contract.

Altuve went 1-for-4 with a solo home run in Friday's 6-4 win over the Angels.

Altuve got a five-run first inning started, leading off with his 30th home run. It marked the first 30-homer season for the second baseman, who cleared the fences for a second straight game and the fifth time in the last nine games.

Torres (knee) was removed from Friday's game against the Blue Jays as a precaution, and he'll be re-evaluated Saturday, Matt Ehalt of Yahoo Sports reports.

Torres reportedly felt weakness in his legs, per Marc Carig of The Athletic, though the Yankees don't appear to be too concerned at this point. A better idea of his availability for the rest of the weekend should become clear prior to first pitch Saturday.