MLB Player News

Jose Altuve knocked a three-run homer Friday in the Astros' victory over the Blue Jays.

Jose Altuve's home run was his fifth of the season. 

"He's certainly hunting for the opportunities to do damage," manager A.J. Hinch said to the Houston Chronicle. "There's a powerful swing in there. He's going to some big parts of the ballpark. That's big-man territory when he hits the ball on the barrel."

The second baseman hit seven homers all of last year during his batting-title winning season (.341).

Mets second baseman Dilson Herrera will be placed on the disabled list because of a broken right middle finger, reports MLB.com.

Herrera suffered the injury while taking fielding drills Friday. In 34 at-bats this season, he is batting .235. Third baseman Eric Campbell will replace Herrera on the roster. Campbell hit .200 in 50 at-bats this season. 

Mets second baseman Dilson Herrera was a late scratch Friday night against Milwaukee due to torn fingernail, according to ESPN. Manager Terry Collins swapped Herrera with Ruben Tejada in the lineup.

Herrera is hitting .235 (8 for 34) with a home run, three RBI, two walks and nine strikeouts in 10 appearances.

New York is favored (-125) at home against Milwaukee, per VegasInsider.com.

For the first time since May 8, Astros second baseman Jose Altuve is in the lead-off spot on Friday against the Blue Jays. Altuve has been hitting second over the last five games, while Jake Marisnick was atop of the batting order.

But Marisnick struggled as the lead-off batter for manager A.J. Hinch, going just 3 for 21 over that stretch. Marisnick is being dropped back down to ninth in the order with Altuve back in the lead-off spot. 

Astros second baseman Jose Altuve went 2 for 3 in Thursday's win over Toronto. Altuve doubled, his ninth of the year, and scored twice. He walked once and saw his average increase to .333.

Altuve also stole two bases, giving him 13 on the season. 

Mets infielder Daniel Murphy was given the day off Thursday and is out of the starting lineup against the Cubs. He had started all but two of the Mets' games so far this season, but with a lefty on the mound, manager Terry Collins opted to give Murphy a breather. Murphy is hitting just .154 against left-handed pitching in 2015. 

In his place, Ruben Tejada will get the start at third base and bat eighth. This is the first appearance at the hot corner for Tejada, either in the big leagues or the minor leagues. He did get some reps at third during spring training, however. 

Dilson Herrera will make his second consecutive start at second base on Thursday.

Dodgers outfielder Joc Pederson and shortstop Enrique Hernandez both hit home runs in Wednesday night's 5-4 loss to the Marlins. 

Both hit their home runs in the fifth inning. Hernandez hit a two-run homer and Pederson hit a solo shot. The Dodgers scored three runs in the inning. 

For Pederson, that's his 10th homer of the season. Hernandez hit his first of the year. 

Athletics shortstop Marcus Semien hit his sixth home run of the season in Tuesday's 9-2 win over the Red Sox. 

Semien finished the game 3 for 5 and also hit his first triple of the season. He hit a single and would have hit the cycle if he hit a double. Semien now has 15 RBI this season. 

Semien now has three home runs in his past three games. 

Padres third baseman Will Middlebrooks, who didn't start in San Diego's last five games, returned to the starting lineup at the eighth spot Tuesday night at Seattle, per U-T San Diego. 

Yangervis Solarte replaced Middlebrooks in four of the five games he was held out. Solarte is the designated hitter for the Padres at Safeco Field.

Middlebrooks is hitless in his last 19 at-bats, and is hitting .205 on the season.

San Diego is considered an underdog (+135) in Seattle, per VegasInsider.com.

With Billy Burns receiving the night off in favor of Sam Fuld, the Athletics moved Coco Crisp to the leadoff spot and Marcus Semien to the No. 2 hole Tuesday night against Boston, Comcast SportsNet Bay Area reports.

Semien is hitting .295/.340/.810 with five home runs on the season.

Oakland is considered a home favorite (-120) against the Red Sox, per VegasInsider.com.