MLB Player News

Altuve (oblique) took BP, ran the bases and fielded grounders Saturday, and he's slated to face live pitching in the coming days, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports.

Altuve continues to show accelerated progress in his recovery from the left oblique strain that has sidelined him since mid-May. In fact, manager Joe Espada said earlier this week that the team is considering having the veteran infielder skip a minor-league rehab assignment in lieu of taking simulated at-bats. If Altuve's upcoming sessions against live pitching go well, he could be back with the Astros in the early part of June.

Foscue was not in the starting lineup for a third consecutive game Friday. He did enter to play first base in the final inning of Texas' 9-1 win over the Royals.

Foscue had been a regular presence at second base but has watched from the bench as the recently signed Nicky Lopez started the last three games, all against right-handers. Foscue has appeared in all three contests, either as a pinch hitter or a late-game substitution. The Rangers are scheduled to face Kansas City right-hander Seth Lugo on Saturday, which could mean a fourth straight game on the bench for Foscue.

Lopez started at second base and went 1-for-4 with a home run and two RBI in Friday's 9-1 win over the Royals.

The left-handed-hitting Lopez, who started a third consecutive game at second base since signing with the Rangers, connected for his first hit in a Texas uniform. All three of the starts have come against right-handers, indicating he may be involved in a platoon at the keystone with Justin Foscue.

Julien went 1-for-4 with a stolen base Friday against the Giants.

Julien had slipped into a reserve role in the last week, but he started his second consecutive game Friday. He helped the Rockies take a 1-0 lead in the second inning, reaching base on a single and then executing a double steal with Ezequiel Tovar. Julien is hitting only .204 across 155 plate appearances, and his playing time will likely slip further once Mickey Moniak (ankle) is able to return.

Bazzana went 1-for-4 with a stolen base in Friday's 4-3 win over Boston.

Bazzana is thriving as the Guardians' current leadoff batter. He's hit in all six games (9-for-23) since being deployed at the top of the order, and the rookie stole his eighth base (caught twice) in 28 games.

Grissom went 2-for-4 with a double, two RBI and a run scored during the Angels' 8-5 loss to the Rays on Friday.

Grissom put the Angels on the board with an RBI single in the third before driving in another run with a double in the eighth. He's up to 23 RBI on the season, eight of which have come over his last four games. Grissom is slashing .235/.305/.383 with 11 extra-base hits and 10 runs scored across 132 plate appearances.

Holliday went 2-for-4 with a solo home run and an additional run scored during the Orioles' 6-5 loss to the Blue Jays on Friday.

Holliday scored the Orioles' first run of the game in the second inning before extending his team's lead to 4-0 with a solo homer off Austin Voth in the fourth. It was Holliday's second home run of the season and third multi-hit game. He has gone 7-for-27 (.259) with three steals, seven RBI and six runs scored in his 10 games since being activated from the 10-day IL in mid-May.

X-rays on Williamson's left hand came back negative following his removal from Friday's game against the Angels, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Williamson took a 98.6 mph sinker off his left hand in the sixth inning of Friday's contest, but he seemingly escaped the incident without any severe damage. Manager Kevin Cash added that the 25-year-old could play Saturday, though the Rays may err on the side of caution and give him a day off to recover.

Williamson was removed from Friday's game against the Angels after getting hit on the hand by a pitch, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Williamson had been making his return from a back strain that sent him to the injured list last week, but he was pulled from Friday's contest immediately after taking a 98.6 mph sinker off his left hand in the sixth inning. He'll presumably head in for X-rays to determine whether he suffered a fracture, and Tampa Bay may have more information on his status after the game.

Interim manager Chad Tracy said Friday that Sogard is dealing with a nagging right side injury, Tim Healey of The Boston Globe reports.

Tracy added that Sogard's side bothers him more while hitting left-handed, so the Red Sox will keep him on the bench during Friday's matchup against right-hander Slade Cecconi. Caleb Durbin will draw the start at the hot corner in Sogard's stead, and the 28-year-old switch hitter can be considered day-to-day for now.