MLB Player News

Astros second baseman Jose Altuve missed Thursday's game with a groin injury, and is hoping to return Saturday, according to the Houston Chronicle. 

Altuve is likely to miss Friday's game, though it's unclear if he'll be available to pinch hit. He would be eligible to return Saturday against Royals starter Ervin Santana. 

Altuve is hitting .297/.335/.397 in 232 at-bats this season. 

Nationals shortstop Danny Espinosa had an MRI on his fractured right wrist as well as his left shoulder, neither of which revealed anything surprising. In fact, the MRI on his shoulder showed that the torn left rotator cuff he suffered last season is not a big problem.

While the team did not go into much detail, MLB.com described it as just "a little injury," indicating that it has healed well without surgery.

Espinosa is expected to resume baseball activities in four to five days after having a cortisone shot in his wrist. 

Nationals second baseman Danny Espinosa received a cortisone injection into his injured wrist, manager Davey Johnson told reporters Thursday. He should be cleared to resume baseball activities in 4-5 days.

Astros second baseman Jose Altuve has a slight groin issue, which is why he's not in the team's lineup Thursday, according to the Houston Chronicle. 

Altuve is expected to return Friday against Royals starter James Shields. Marwin Gonzalez will replace Altuve at second and hit ninth Thursday. 

Rangers shortstop Elvis Andrus broke open a 1-all game with a two-run double in the seventh inning Wednesday against the Red Sox, sending Texas to a 3-2 win. Since May 3, Andrus is batting .279 (34 for 122) in his last 30 games, sending his average from .241 to .261.

Andrus also has a triple, four doubles, nine stolen bases, 10 walks, 12 RBI and 22 runs in his last 30 games. But he has yet to homer in 57 games this season.

Astros second baseman Jose Altuve is not in the team's lineup Thursday.

Altuve has played in 56 games and doesn't often miss time. He's coming off a game in which he hit his third home run of the season. He'll be replaced by Marwin Gonzalez, who will hit ninth. 

Altuve is hitting .297/.335/.397 in 232 at-bats. 

Astros second baseman Jose Altuve had his third home run of the season Wednesday against the Orioles. 

In the bottom of the fourth inning, Altuve took a Steve Johnson changeup to left field for a solo home run. Altuve added a single and scored two runs. He is hitting .297/.335/.397 in 232 at-bats.

White Sox second baseman Gordon Beckham had an excellent game in Wednesday's wild 7-5 16-inning win in Seattle. 

Beckham finished the game 4 for 7 with a double, his first of the year, and his first two stolen bases. He scored a run and is batting .333. 

Beckham was recently activated from the disabled list and has five hits in his last two games and 11 on the year to this point. 

Nationals second baseman Danny Espinosa visited with a specialist Wednesday to undergo MRIs on his right wrist and left shoulder. However, general manager Mike Rizzo didn't share the results with reporters Wednesday afternoon.

One of the reasons why I have had Jose Altuve ranked fourth among second basemen in Rotisserie formats is that I figured he would hit 10 or more homers to go along with 30-plus steals and a .300 batting average. The latter two marks are within reach, but Altuve has only two home runs after 55 games.

My hopes for Altuve to experience at least a minor power boost were based on his minor-league record, which showed that the Astros' 5-foot-5 two-hole hitter had surprising clout. His spray chart on TexasLeaguers.com shows that he still has the capability to hit the ball deep. With just a little more distance, Altuve would already be delivering on some of the promise he showed as a prospect.

Factor in a 25 percent line drive rate, and Altuve is already providing some evidence that he could be a sneaky source of extra-base power going forward.