MLB Player News

Nationals second baseman Danny Espinosa was on the bench for a second straight game Monday against the Giants, mired in a 1-for-30 slump. Manager Davey Johnson noted, however, he had a "good talk" with Espinosa.

"I think he's a little beat up right now," Johnson said, per MLB.com. "I hate to just sit him out, but he's certainly not doing things he knows he's capable of doing. So it's frustrating for him and he feels like he's letting everybody down. But he's trying to do his best. Sometimes just getting away from it a little bit helps."

Johnson said he's "surprised" Espinosa hasn't taken a step forward this season, but he's confident the 26-year-old infielder will turn it around.

"How you handle adversity is a large part of your success," Johnson said. "We'll get through this. Coming in this year I felt like Danny was a key guy, and if he started doing the things that he's capable of doing, it could make the year a whole lot of fun. I still feel that way."

White Sox second baseman Gordon Beckham played shortstop during Monday's rehab game.

Beckham played shortstop in college, but has been used as a second baseman during his major-league career. The team has Alexei Ramirez at short, so there's no immediate need for Beckham to play the position. The White Sox are currently three games under .500, and could be looking to see whether Beckham can handle the position for trade purposes. Beckham is hitting .316/.333/.316 in 19 at-bats. 

White Sox second baseman Gordon Beckham started at shortstop for Triple-A Charlotte Monday during his rehab assignment, MLB.com reports.

He's had five hits over starts at DH and at second base. 

Manager Robin Ventura mentioned that Beckham could rejoin the team this weekend. 

"Sometime by the end of the week you would think, but again, you never know how that hand is going to react," Ventura said of Beckham and his recovery from a fractured left hamate bone. "It's probably been sore because this is the first time he's been hitting on a daily basis. You would hope so, but nothing's guaranteed."

Rangers shortstop Elvis Andrus was slotted atop the team's lineup with Ian Kinsler out for a second-straight day, and he responded with a 5-for-5 performance that included a double, triple, three runs, two RBI and two stolen bases.

Andrus bumped his batting average 20 points, giving him a .282/.328/.350 line with 12 stolen bases in 192 plate appearances. Despite the excellent outing, Andrus won't retain the lead-off spot in the lineup when Kinsler returns.

Making his return from the bereavement list, Astros second baseman Jose Altuve had three hits in five at-bats against the Pirates Saturday night. He also drove in a run.

Altuve, who has also been dealing with a jaw injury, has hit .342/.378/.449 in 172 plate appearances.

White Sox second baseman Gordon Beckham opened his rehab assignment as Triple-A Charlotte's designated hitter Saturday, going 2 for 4 with a walk and scoring three runs.

On the disabled list with a wrist injury, Beckham is expected to return to the White Sox for next weekend's series against the Marlins.

The Astros activated second baseman Jose Altuve off the bereavement list Saturday. Altuve will start in Pittsburgh.

He had been out since Tuesday following the death of a family member. He was also dealing with a jaw injury but is 100 percent healthy.

Astros second baseman Jose Altuve will return from the bereavement list Saturday against Pittsburgh, MLB.com reports. Altuve has been out of action since May 13 due to the death of his grandmother.

White Sox infielder Gordon Beckham is expected to return to the club in time for next weekend's series against Miami, the Chicago Sun-Times announced.

Will Beckham play, though? The 2008 first round pick has just a .239/.303/.361 (78 OPS+) line since 2010. Meanwhile, Conor Gillaspie (.294/.360/.451, 115 OPS+) is looking like a rookie of the year candidate. Perhaps Jeff Keppinger (.188/.191/.210, 7 OPS+) heads to the bench for Beckham, but there is competition now. Beckham will have to hit to guarantee playing time -- a new situation for him, given how the White Sox have lacked infield depth for most of his career.

Padres infielder Logan Forsythe (foot) took batting practice on the field for the first time since he had the protective boot removed from his right foot.

Forsythe also took some grounders prior to Thursday's game against the Nationals. He is eligible to come off the 60-day disabled list on May 22.

"He's on the field doing baseball activities stuff, so he's on the way back," manager Bud Black told MLB.com. "He's on the mend."