MLB Player News

Astros second baseman Jose Altuve showed no ill effects from Friday's collision with Carlos Correa, going 2 for 4 Saturday with a walk and two solo shots, giving him 14 home runs on the season.

Correa cranked two home runs of his own in the game, but the Astros aren't likely to encourage their two star middle infielders to bump into each other again looking for a repeat performance. Altuve's 14 homers double his previous career high, but his .315 batting average and 38 steals are right in line with expectations.

Utility man Enrique Hernandez (hamstring) will join the Dodgers for the series in San Francisco next week, the Los Angeles Times' Dylan Hernandez reports.

The Dodgers have maintained that Hernandez would return this season, and it looks like that could happen as soon as Monday. That said, there won't be an everyday role for him and there are precious few games remaining on the schedule, so he probably won't be a big-time difference maker in fantasy leagues.

Astros second baseman Jose Altuve (head) is still in the lineup for the key battle Saturday against Texas after leaving Friday due to a collision.

Altuve took a forearm to the head in the frightening crash, but he showed no concussion-like symptoms after the game and should be considered good to go as the Astros continue battling for a playoff spot.

Astros second baseman Jose Altuve has no concussion-like symptoms, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports. "We feel like we dodged a little bit of a bullet there. Maybe something went our way," said manager A.J Hinch following Friday's loss.

Altuve was involved in a scary collision with Carlos Correa during Friday's contest and left the game after being examined by team trainers. While it's certainly a positive sign that Altuve appears to have avoided suffering a concussion, his availability for Saturday may be in question.

Astros second baseman Jose Altuve exited Friday's game after colliding with teammate Carlos Correa, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.

Correa and Altuve collided in shallow center field going after an Elvis Andrus blooper. Altuve made the catch but remained down on the field after taking a forearm to the head. He was replaced by Jonathan Villar at second base and further information on the extent of Altuve's injury should be made available following Friday's contest.

Padres infielder Yangervis Solarte (hamstring) remains out of the lineup Friday against the Diamondbacks.

Solarte was initially in Thursday's lineup, but was a late scratch due to the lingering hamstring issue. The injury doesn't seem overly serious, but the team will likely take things relatively slow with him to avoid re-injury. Cory Spangenberg will once again receive the start at third base, while Alexi Amarista wil join the lineup at shortstop.

Angels second baseman Johnny Giavotella (illness) is back in the lineup Friday against the Mariners.

Giavotella was placed on the disabled toward the end of August with a condition known as fourth nerve palsy, but he has apparently been progressing well despite the issue. He's back in the lineup as the second baseman, batting ninth, and figures to see the majority of the starts down the stretch.

Diamondbacks rookie third baseman Brandon Drury will likely remember his second career homer more fondly than he will his first. His second came Thursday against no less than Dodgers stud lefty Clayton Kershaw. Drury finished 2 for 4 with a solo home run and a double in the loss.

Drury has been on a tear. Over the last four games, he is 7 for 16 with two homers. two doubles and five RBI. After it appeared Jake Lamb would be the third baseman of the future for the Diamondbacks, Drury is now giving him a run for his money.

Padres infielder Yangervis Solarte was a late scratch from Thursday's lineup against the Giants.

Solarte was likely scratched due to a hamstring injury he suffered during Wednesday's contest. As a result, Cory Spangenberg will replace him at third base.

Nationals second baseman Danny Espinosa (hamstring) is done for the season, CSN Mid-Atlantic's Mark Zuckerman reports. 

It will require four weeks of rehab for Espinosa to be able to return from the slight tear of his hamsting, so his season is over.

It will be interesting to see what his role is in 2016 with Ian Desmond likely leaving in free agency and Trea Turner and Wilmer Difo seemingly ready to step into significant roles in the middle infield. Espinosa had a .753 OPS against lefties and a .709 OPS against righties while playing above average defense this season.