MLB Player News

Altuve (COVID-19 protocols) is unlikely to return during the Astros' current five-game road trip, Jake Kaplan of The Athletic reports.

Altuve was placed on the COVID-19 injured list along with five other Astros on Wednesday. While it's not yet clear whether Altuve has tested positive for the virus, manager Dusty Baker said Friday that he wasn't optimistic that any of the players would be able to return before the team returns home Thursday. Aledmys Diaz and Alex De Goti should continue to fill in at second base in Altuve's absence.

Albies left Friday's win over the Cubs after he was hit by a pitch on the right calf, David O'Brien of The Athletic reports.

Albies suffered the injury in the ninth inning of Friday's contest and was immediately removed from the game. Manager Brian Snitker said that the team would know more regarding Albies' status later in the night Friday. If Albies is forced to miss additional time, Ehire Adrianza could see increased playing time at second base.

Lux (wrist) isn't starting Friday's game against the Padres, David Vassegh of AM 570 LA Sports reports.

Lux was scratched from Thursday's lineup against the Rockies due to a sore right wrist. Zach McKinstry will start at second base for Friday's series opener against San Diego, batting seventh.

Rengifo has been recalled by the Angels and will start Friday's game against Minnesota.

Rengifo was unable to break camp with the Angels this year, but he'll join the major-league roster after Jack Mayfield was sent down Wednesday. Rengifo will start at third base and bat ninth in Friday's matchup.

Kemp went 1-for-3 with two walks and a run in a win over the Tigers on Thursday.

Kemp, who manned left field, made his first start since April 8, while the hot-hitting Jed Lowrie handled second base. Kemp has been assigned keystone duties in just three games thus far, making the remainder of his five appearances in left field. The 29-year-old's .118 average over 24 plate appearances speaks to his considerable struggles when putting the ball in play, but his .348 on-base percentage, built largely on the strength of six walks, has been encouraging.

Andrus, who went 1-for-3 with an RBI sacrifice fly, a double, a walk and a run in a win over the Tigers on Thursday, has hit safely in five of his last six games.

The veteran shortstop is still slashing an abysmal .133/.180/.200 across 50 plate appearances, so there's massive room for improvement at the plate. Nevertheless, Andrus has at least begun to emerge from a season-opening 1-for-24 slump that encompassed his first seven games, and he continues to see regular playing time as manager Bob Melvin exercises considerable patience with the 32-year-old.

Arroyo went 1-for-3 with a double, a stolen base and a run scored in Thursday's 4-3 loss to Minnesota.

Arroyo has hit safely in eight of 10 games, going 10-for-32 (.313) with six doubles to start the season. He's giving manager Alex Cora flexibility without any drop off in offense. Arroyo can spell Xander Bogaerts at shortstop but has primarily played second base while Enrique Hernandez is deployed in center field.

Marte (hamstring) continues to get treatment and has not yet begun baseball activities, Steve Gilbert of MLB.com reports.

Marte, who is on his feet and doing light movement, is eligible to come off the injured list April 18, but it's unlikely he'll return by then. Tim Locastro will continue to be the primary fill-in at center field.

X-rays to on Biggio's right hand came back negative Thursday, Shi Davidi of Sportsnet.careports.

Biggio exited Thursday's game in the seventh inning after taking a line drive off of his hand. It appears he dodged anything significant, though he may have aggravated a similar injury he was dealing with toward the end of spring training. Biggio will have an immediately opportunity to return to the lineup, as the Blue Jays will take on the Royals for the next game of their series on Friday.

Biggio exited Thursday's game with pain in his right hand.

Biggio was hit on the hand by a line drive in the third inning, the cause of the injury according to Shi Davidi of Sportsnet.ca. It's possible that play aggravated a finger injury that he dealt with late in spring training, though he is undergoing further evaluation Thursday night, which should provide more clarity. Joe Panik filled in at third base in Biggio's absence and would likely see an uptick in playing time if Biggio remained sidelined.