MLB Player News

Altuve has been diagnosed with left hamstring discomfort and is day-to-day, Chandler Rome of the Houston Chronicle reports.

This is relatively good news for the Astros, as it appears that Altuve escaped with a minor injury. He'll be monitored on a daily basis moving forward, though it's unlikely that Houston will rush the former MVP back into action before he's ready, especially this early in the year.

Altuve exited Friday's game against the Rangers after suffering an undisclosed injury, Stefan Stevenson of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram reports.

Altuve appeared to suffer the injury after legging out an infield single, although the extent of the injury remains a mystery. He'll be considered day-to-day until the Astros provide on update on his status.

Drury isn't starting Friday's game against the White Sox.

Drury is in line for two consecutive days off after the team benefitted from a scheduled off day Thursday. Toronto will shift Randal Grichuk to right field, allowing for Jonathan Davis, who was just called up from Triple-A Buffalo, to get the start in center.

Double-A Akron activated Clement (oblique) from its 7-day injured list Thursday.

Clement had been sidelined since April 15 with the oblique injury but should slot back into an everyday role at shortstop for Akron now that he's overcome the issue. Clement spent time at Akron, High-A Lynchburg and Low-A Lake County in 2018, slashing .289/.358/.375 between the three levels.

Castro will start at second base and bat sixth Thursday against the Angels, Jason Beck of MLB.com reports.

Castro has recorded just two hits in 12 at-bats since being promoted to the Tigers, but his defensive versatility will earn him his fourth start in the last five games. The 25-year-old saw his first two starts in the outfield, but he'll likely see most of his action in the middle infield moving forward with Christin Stewart (hamstring) healthy again and Jordy Mercer (quadriceps) joining Josh Harrison (shoulder) on the 10-day injured list.

Rodriguez will start at first base and bat fifth Thursday against the Angels, Jason Beck of MLB.com reports.

Rodriguez will draw his third start of the season at first base with the Tigers deploying Miguel Cabrera at designated hitter in the day game after the night game. Even when Cabrera resumes his usual duties at first base, Rodriguez seems likely to stick in the lineup at one of the two middle-infield spots for the foreseeable future with Jordy Mercer (quadriceps) joining Josh Harrison (shoulder) on the 10-day injured list Thursday. Rodriguez has already capitalized on the opportunity afforded to him by Harrison's absence with five multi-hit performances over his last seven starts.

Beckham will start at shortstop and bat seventh Thursday against the Angels, Jason Beck of MLB.com reports.

Beckham will draw a second straight start at shortstop after the Tigers placed their primary option at the position, Jordy Mercer, back on the 10-day injured list Thursday. While Mercer and Josh Harrison (shoulder) are both sidelined, steady playing time in the middle infield should be available for both Beckham and Ronny Rodriguez. However, with Harrison expected to return from the IL in short order, Beckham may quickly slip back into a reserve role.

Altuve went 1-for-5 with a run scored in Wednesday's 9-0 win over the Royals.

Altuve is in a two-week slide (7-for-50) that's dropped his batting average to .236. Manager AJ Hinch told David Barron of the Houston Chronicle that Altuve is getting frustrated by the lack of hits and swinging "a little bit wildly around the strike zone and putting balls in play that aren't necessarily the ones he wants." The second baseman has managed to get on base via the walk during his slide and carries a career-high 10.8 BB% for the season.

Rodriguez went 3-for-4 with a double, a triple, a run scored and four RBI in Wednesday's 10-3 win over the Angels.

Rodriguez continues to impress for the Tigers, as he now has a 1.096 OPS and 12 RBI through 14 games. He hit just .220/.256/.335 in 62 games last year, so it seems safe to say he's playing over his head right now, but fantasy owners should enjoy Rodriguez's production for however long it lasts.

Polanco went 5-for-5 with a double, a two-run home run and two runs scored Wednesday against the Blue Jays.

Polanco's big day at the plate began with a single in the first inning, but was highlighted by his seventh home run of the season in the second inning. While he appeared to be coming back to Earth after a very hot start to the season, Polanco recorded nine hits in 12 at-bats during the team's series in Toronto. He remains one of the more surprising early-season performers, hitting .344/.412/.649 across 148 plate appearances.