MLB Player News

Although Astros second baseman Jose Altuve is back in the lineup after missing three games with a hamstring injury, the Houston coaching staff have put some restrictions on him until he gets back to 100 percent.

"We put the red light on him when he came back -- no steals," manager A.J. Hinch told MLB Network Radio on Wednesday. "He's a smart player and we don't want to lose him."

Altuve has 17 stolen bases in 62 games.

Nationals second baseman Danny Espinosa was a perfect 5 for 5 at the plate to lead the Nationals to a 16-4 win over the Rays on Tuesday.

Despite the five hits Tuesday, Espinosa did not drive in a run, but he did score three runs. The five hits were a season high for Espinosa.

Over his last 11 games, Espinosa is 13 for 38 with two home runs and four RBI.

Slumping Athletics shortstop Marcus Semien is getting the day off on Tuesday, as he is being held out of the lineup against the Padres. Semien had started 12 of 13 games for the A's this month, but is batting .195 with one extra-base hit over that span. He has also committed four errors this month.

Eric Sogard will get the start at shortstop and bat second on Tuesday, in what is likely just a rest day for Semien. 

Astros second baseman Jose Altuve was back in the starting lineup Tuesday against the Rockies after missing three games due to a hamstring injury.

Altuve heads into Tuesday's game batting .262 (11 for 42) with one double, two RBI, three runs, seven strikeouts and two stolen bases in 11 June games.

Rays second baseman Logan Forsythe went 3 for 5 at the plate to help lead the Rays to a 6-1 win over the Nationals on Monday.

Forsythe also drove in two runs during the contest. Over his last 15 games, Forsythe is 12 for 52 with two home runs and nine RBI.

Padres third baseman Yangervis Solarte is in the starting lineup for Monday's game. It's Solarte's second straight start

It's also the third game in a row that regular starter Will Middlebrooks has not been in the lineup at the position. 

The weekend absence of Astros second baseman Jose Altuve has now extended beyond the weekend. He is sidelined again Monday against Colorado with a hamstring problem.

Altuve, who sustained the injury Friday, has not played since. But he is available off the bench Monday and should return to action Tuesday, per MLB.com.

He was in a rare slump before going down with just three hits in his last 20 at-bats.

Athletics shortstop Marcus Semien's recent struggles at the plate continued during an 8-1 win Sunday against the Angels. Semien went hitless in five at-bats, which included three strikeouts.

Semien is batting just .184 (7 for 38) with one double, no RBI, four walks, one run and 12 strikeouts in 11 June games. 

Unfortunately, Semien's hitting woes have lasted nearly a month. In his last 25 games, he has just a .189/.247/.233/.481 slash line. He has one triple, two doubles and one RBI in that span.

The Padres have given Wil Myers the day off for Sunday's series-finale against the Dodgers. 

Myers came off of the disabled list on Thursday after recovering from a wrist injury and played the past three games. 

Yangervis Solarte will play Sunday and he's slated to hit second. Solarte will man third base in the infield. 

Astros second baseman Jose Altuve is not starting for the second consecutive game due to a hamstring injury. 

Altuve sustained the tweak on Friday, though it's not a serious injury. Altuve is expected to be back in the Astros lineup this week. This season, Altuve is hitting .290 with 27 RBI. 

"He'll be day to day for the next couple days until he feels back to 100 percent," Astros manager A.J. Hinch said Saturday, via MLB.com. "But I know he and our trainer were encouraged by how he was evaluated today. We avoided a worse injury."