MLB Player News

Hernandez went 2-for-5 with a home run, three RBI, a run scored and a walk in Sunday's 12-1 win over Seattle.

Hernandez's last home run came way back on July 20, the first game back from the All-Star break. This year, he's up to 18 long balls and 43 RBI as he continues setting new career highs in nearly every offensive category.

Astros general manager Jeff Luhnow said Sunday that it's "not out of the realm of possibility" that Altuve (knee) could be activated from the 10-day disabled list prior to Tuesday's game against the Mariners, Chandler Rome of the Houston Chronicle reports.

Sidelined since July 25 with a sore right knee, Altuve was cleared to begin a minor-league rehab assignment at Triple-A Fresno on Sunday. He's expected to get about three or four at-bats while playing six or seven innings in the field for the affiliate before rejoining the Astros in Seattle on Monday. If all goes well when he's examined by team doctors, Altuve would likely rest for the series opener before returning to action as soon as Tuesday. The return of the reigning AL MVP would provide a massive boon to an Astros squad that has squandered its huge lead in the AL West since Altuve hit the shelf.

Hernandez will start in center field and bat sixth Sunday against the Mariners, Andy McCullough of the Los Angeles Times reports.

Hernandez will remain in the lineup for the fifth time in six games, but all of those starts have come against left-handed pitching. The utility man still looks to be a short-side platoon man for the Dodgers, thereby hindering his rest-of-season fantasy outlook.

Kemp is out of the lineup Sunday against the Athletics.

Kemp will be withheld from the starting nine against Oakland left-hander Sean Manaea, enabling Marwin Gonzalez to pick up a turn in left field. The 26-year-old has delivered a .761 OPS over 20 appearances since the All-Star break, which has helped him retain a semi-regular spot in the Houston lineup.

The Mariners optioned Beckham to Triple-A Tacoma on Sunday.

Beckham appeared in one game during his brief stint with the Mariners, recording a base hit in a pinch-hit appearance Friday against the Dodgers. He'll likely rejoin the big club when rosters expand in September unless an injury forces a need for another utility infielder before then.

Rodriguez is out of the lineup Sunday against the Twins.

The utility man had started the Tigers' previous four games, with his last three appearances coming at shortstop in place of the injured Jose Iglesias (thumb). With Iglesias cleared to rejoin the lineup in the series finale, Rodriguez appears set to reprise a bench role during the upcoming week.

Kemp went 1-for-3 with a solo home run in Saturday's 7-1 loss to the Athletics.

Kemp supplied the lone run with his fifth homer of the season in the ninth inning, just the team's second hit off Oakland pitching. He's been getting steady playing time, which could begin to erode when Jose Altuve (knee) returns. Altuve embarks on a rehab assignment Sunday and could be activated early this week. That would allow utility player Marwin Gonzalez to get some time in the outfield. Kemp (.794 OPS), however, has been a more productive hitter than Gonzalez (.703) and could still get four or five starts per week while Gonzalez moves around the diamond to give rest to everyday regulars.

McNeil went 2-for-4 with a triple, an RBI, a run scored and a stolen base in Saturday's 3-1 win over the Phillies.

McNeil added a key insurance run in the seventh inning after an RBI triple in the seventh pushed the lead to three. After being called up to the big leagues July 24, McNeil is batting .278 with seven extra-base hits and six RBI through 24 games with the Mets.

Altuve (knee) will begin a rehab assignment with Triple-A Fresno on Sunday, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.

Fresno will be playing away against Tacoma, while the Astros will be in nearby Seattle starting Monday. It's unclear whether or not he'd be ready to return after just one rehab game, as he's been out since July 25.

Merrifield went 2-for-2 with a double, a run, an RBI and two walks in Friday's loss to the White Sox.

Merrifield slashed an RBI double -- his 32nd two-bagger of the year -- in the third inning off James Shields. He's now matched his doubles total from last year (which he did in 145 games) and he's currently tied for second among all MLB second basemen in the category. The 29-year-old has an excellent .373 on-base percentage and is 26-for-33 in stolen base attempts.