MLB Player News

The Astros plan to test Altuve (knee) on the field this weekend, Christian Boutwell of MLB.com reports. "As soon as he can do more, he will do more," manager A.J. Hinch said.

Oakland is only 4.5 games out, but the Astros aren't panicking as they continue to take things "slow and steady" with Altuve. At this stage, the team is unsure if Altuve will require a minor-league rehab assignment. Right knee discomfort interrupted another stellar season from the star second baseman (.329/.392/.464, nine homers, 14 steals), putting Altuve on the disabled list for the first time in his eight-year career.

Forsythe hit leadoff and went 1-for-4 in Thursday's loss at Cleveland. He's hitting .429 (9-for-21) since being traded to Minnesota.

It looks like Forsythe will remain the everyday second baseman in the near future. After hitting sixth or later in the order, he was moved up Thursday which could continue, during his hot streak.

Polanco went 1-for-4 with a three-run home run in Thursday's loss to the Indians.

Polanco tied the game in the sixth inning after launching a three-run homer over the fence in right field, although the Indians would take the series finale on a walk-off single. The 25-year-old shortstop has appeared in just 33 games due to an 80-game suspension to begin the season, slashing .280/.353/.392 with 14 extra-base hits, 13 RBI and four stolen bases.

Torres is not in the lineup Thursday against the Rangers.

Torres will head to the bench for the first time all month following a string of 10 consecutive starts. The rookie is hitting just .167 (6-for-36) over that stretch, though he's produced three homers and drawn eight walks. Neil Walker will man the keystone and hit seventh Thursday.

Semien went 2-for-4 with a run in a win over the Dodgers on Wednesday.

Semien was back at the top of the order against southpaw Clayton Kershaw and delivered his third multi-hit effort of August. The shortstop also crossed the plate on Khris Davis' fielder's choice with what would turn out to be the winning run, ultimately being called safe when the home-plate umpire noted Yasmani Grandal failed to hold onto the ball. Semien has been consistent at the plate during the season's second half (.275/.367/.348), but he's provided just five extra-base hits (all doubles) in 80 plate appearances during that stretch.

Frazier went 3-for-5 with a pair of doubles against Colorado on Wednesday.

He also made a potentially game-saving defensive play at second base. Wednesday's start was Frazier's first since Sunday, but he's produced whenever he's played. Since his recall in late July, the 26-year-old is slashing .432/.447/.757 with 10 extra-base hits in 38 plate appearances.

Rengifo is hitting .298/.362/.436 with one home run, three steals and a 7:10 K:BB in 106 plate appearances with Triple-A Salt Lake.

He has walked more than he struck out at High-A, Double-A and Triple-A this season, which is a big part of why he has received two promotions this season. A switch-hitting 5-foot-10 middle infielder, Rengifo looks the part of a super-utility player, but he also has some traits that could allow him to overshoot that projection. He has 27 doubles, 10 triples, five home runs and 38 steals (on 52 attempts) this season across the top three levels of the minors, and is now the third youngest hitter in the Pacific Coast League (behind Luis Urias and Yordan Alvarez). Look for him to finish out the season at Triple-A and return to that level at the start of next season, positioning him to make his big-league debut next summer.

Torres went 1-for-3 with two walks, a strikeout and a stolen base in Wednesday's win over the White Sox.

The 21-year-old flashed decent speed in the minors, swiping over 20 bases in both 2015 and 2016, but this was just his third steal of the year. The rookie has been slumping at the plate of late, going just 6-for-36 (.167) since July 29, and that stretch has dropped him to a .274/.344/.526 slash line.

Garcia went 3-for-5 with one run, four RBI and a steal in Tuesday's game for High-A Potomac.

Garcia turned 18 in mid-May, so the fact that he's even at High-A is incredibly impressive. He is now hitting .313/.339/.438 in 119 plate appearances in the Carolina League -- good for a 117 wRC+. Garcia will unlock more power as he continues to mature and he is at least an above-average runner, so he should chip in double-digit steals early in his big-league career. However, the big selling point is the hit tool, which is looking like one of the best in the minors. He may be assigned to Double-A next year before he turns 19.

Rodgers is hitting .241 with zero home runs, zero walks and seven strikeouts in his first seven games (29 plate appearances) with Triple-A Albuquerque.

He was promoted from Double-A on July 31 after hitting .275/.342/.493 with 17 home runs and 12 steals in 402 plate appearances with the Yard Goats. While his aggressive, pull-heavy approach would typically portend subpar batting averages in the big leagues, he will presumably have the luxury of calling Coors Field home, which will help a lot in that regard. Rodgers has received starts at shortstop, second base and third base since his promotion, which makes sense, as it's unclear where he will play when he reaches the big leagues. Garrett Hampson is closer to being big-league ready, so he and Ryan McMahon will likely compete in spring training to replace DJ LeMahieu (who is a free agent after this season) at second base. If neither of those players impresses as an everyday second baseman, Rodgers could get his chance there at some point next summer, while also representing a replacement option if Nolan Arenado or Trevor Story gets hurt in 2019.