MLB Player News

Altuve is out of the lineup for Saturday's game against the Rangers, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.

The Astros haven't suggested that Altuve sustained an injury in Friday's 4-3 win, so his absence from the lineup is likely just a pre-planned maintenance day. With Altuve getting his first day off since returning from the 10-day injured list June 19, Tony Kemp will step in at second base.

Urias was recalled from Triple-A El Paso and will start at second base and bat seventh Saturday against the Cubs.

After overcoming a minor shoulder issue that sidelined him for a few days, Urias rejoined the Triple-A lineup Thursday, going 1-for-4 with a two-run homer in the contest. The healthy appearance was apparently all the Padres needed to see from Urias to give him another taste of the big leagues after the 22-year-old torched the Pacific Coast League to the tune of a .998 OPS over 73 games this season. Urias' brief stints in the majors both this season and in 2018 have left much to be desired, but his sound hit tool and improving power make him an intriguing speculative pickup in leagues where he's available. Expect the Padres to give Urias a spin as their everyday second baseman while Greg Garcia and Ian Kinsler move into utility roles.

Kemp started in left field and went 0-for-3 win a 4-3 win over the Rangers on Friday.

Astros manager AJ Hinch gave Michael Brantley and Josh Reddick the night off against Texas left-hander Mike Minor, so Kemp and Jake Marisnick slotted into the starting lineup. For Kemp, it was just his second start in the nine games since the All-Star break.

Diaz went 1-for-4 with a home run and a walk Friday in Triple-A New Orleans' 6-5 win over Round Rock in 10 innings.

With a 134 wRC+, Diaz has been one of the Pacific Coast League's standout performers throughout the season, but his work at the plate of late has been particularly impressive. Over his last 10 games, Diaz is batting .386 with four home runs, two stolen bases and a 4:9 BB:K. The 23-year-old has played exclusively at second base this season, but the Marlins could have Diaz begin taking reps at third in an effort to increase his versatility ahead of his promotion to the big leagues. Until that happens, however, a Starlin Castro trade or injury may represent the only path for Diaz to receive his first callup.

Semien went 3-for-4 with a walk, a double, a triple, a solo home run, a second run scored and a stolen base in Friday's 5-3 win over the Twins.

If you believe the old bromide "a walk's as good as a hit", then Semien should get credit for a cycle, but instead the shortstop will have to settle for an extremely productive night. He's now slashing .273/.350/.464 -- career highs in all three categories -- with 15 homers, five steals, 50 RBI and 68 runs through 99 games.

Lowe (lower leg) may only need one or two rehab games at High-A Charlotte before activation, Juan Toribio of MLB.com reports.

A report Thursday indicated that manager Kevin Cash had speculated Lowe could be out through next Wednesday, and this latest news more or less lines up with that timeline. Lowe isn't yet ready to head to a rehab assignment, as he's still in the process of building up his workload. "We're still waiting on a couple of other things to work [themselves] out, but each day we're doing more and more stuff," Lowe said. "I'm feeling really good right now, so hopefully it's not much longer."

Merrifield went 2-for-5 with a triple, a double, three RBI and a run scored Friday against the Indians.

Merrifield did his part in this one, clearing the bases with a triple in the sixth inning to cut his team's deficit to just one run, but the Indians would eventually cruise to a 10-5 victory in the series opener. The 30-year-old has hit safely in nine of his last 10 contests, boosting his batting average from .307 to .313 over that stretch.

Urias will be recalled from Triple-A El Paso prior to Saturday's game against the Cubs, Kevin Acee of The San Diego Union-Tribune reports.

Urias struggled with the Padres earlier this season, slashing .083/.241/.125 over 11 games, but he's in line for another chance with the big-league club. San Diego has yet to announce a corresponding move.

Guillorme was optioned to Triple-A Syracuse on Friday, Tim Healey of Newsday reports.

Guillorme is just 1-for-4 since being promoted July 2, and with the Mets in need of fresh arms following Thursday night's 16-inning affair, he'll head back down to Triple-A. Tyler Bashlor and Stephen Nogosek were recalled in corresponding moves.

Barreto sits for the third straight game Friday against the Twins.

Barreto owns an awful .152/.176/.364 slash line in 10 games so far this season, so it's hardly surprising to see him lose his temporary starting job. Jurickson Profar appears to be back in as the primary second baseman.