MLB Player News

Altuve (side soreness) could have played Thursday if it were a regular-season game, according to manager AJ Hinch, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.

He was apparently a little sore after batting practice, so the Astros didn't hesitate to scratch him and plug in Tony Kemp. Friday was going to be Altuve's scheduled day off, but he may be able to play in that game. Otherwise the Astros expect him back at some point this weekend.

The Astros scratched Altuve from their lineup for Thursday's Grapefruit League game against the Marlins due to "general left side soreness," Chandler Rome of the Houston Chronicle reports.

It's only a minor concern for Altuve, who is being viewed as day-to-day. Nick Tanielu was added to Houston's lineup as the second baseman while Tony Kemp moved up to the two hole, the spot in the order Altuve is expected to occupy once the regular season arrives.

Altuve was scratched from the Astros' lineup for Thursday's Grapefruit League game against the Marlins, Chandler Rome of the Houston Chronicle reports.

The Astros haven't provided an explanation behind Altuve's removal, but an update should come within the next few hours. The second baseman didn't report to spring training with any known health concerns.

Ibanez is expected to miss the rest of spring training with a strained right oblique, T.R. Sullivan of MLB.com reports.

While he is far from a high-end prospect, Ibanez was roughly a league-average hitter (99 wRC+) over a full season at Triple-A last year, so he could get a few cups of coffee in the majors this season. It is possible he will open the year on the minor-league injured list.

Biggio went 1-for-4 with a walk, a solo home run and a second run scored in Wednesday's Grapefruit League game against the Phillies.

Getting the start at first base before shifting to the keystone, Biggio hit his first homer of the spring off bona fide major leaguer Vince Velasquez. The 23-year-old can get lost in the shuffle among the Jays' other, more highly touted second-generation prospects, but Biggio still posted an .887 OPS with 26 home runs in 132 games for Double-A New Hampshire last season, and his blend of power and patience should get him to the Show within a year or two, even if it's only as a utility player.

Rosario (hand) is out of the lineup for Thursday's Grapefruit League game against the Nationals, Deesha Thosar of the New York Daily News reports.

Rosario hasn't played since Monday, when he was removed from the Mets' exhibition against the Rays after taking a pitch off his left hand. With X-rays on Rosario's hand returning negative, the Mets are just taking a cautious approach with their star young shortstop while he contends with some soreness. He should check back into the lineup within a few days.

Albies left Wednesday's game after being hit by a pitch on the left foot, Mark Bowman of MLB.com reports.

The injury doesn't appear to be serious -- Braves manager Brian Snitker said Albies was nearly due to come out of the game anyway, and the removal was only precautionary. After a team off-day Thursday, the second baseman is expected back in the starting lineup Friday against the Phillies.

Urias (hamstring) remains out of the lineup Thursday against the Rangers.

There was a report Wednesday that Urias could be ready to return to action for this contest, but that will not be the case. He completed a full workout Wednesday, uninhibited, but given the hamstring issues he has dealt with over the past six months, the team appears to be exercising caution.

Solarte logged six innings in left field in the Giants' last spring training contest Monday.

Solarte was brought in to the Giants' camp on a minor-league deal to compete for a utility-infield role. Monday's usage in the outfield hints that the club may have a larger utility role in mind. Adding outfield eligibility certainly wouldn't hurt.

Manager Craig Counsell said Dubon's (illness) condition is improving but the shortstop isn't yet ready for game action, Tom Haudricourt of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reports.

Counsell expressed confidence that Dubon would have enough time to regain health ahead of the start of the Triple-A season, which suggests the 24-year-old is more of a week-to-week timeline and not on track for a multi-month absence. In any case, Dubon's absence for most of the Brewers' Cactus League slate is harmful to his development after a torn ACL wiped out the majority of his 2018 campaign.