MLB Player News

Julien went 2-for-4 with a solo home run and an RBI double in Sunday's 15-2 loss to the Orioles.

Julien accounted for half of the Twins' hits and all of their run production. The second baseman has three homers and two doubles over his last five games. He's at a respectable .271/.349/.504 slash line with seven homers, 13 RBI, 19 runs scored, 10 doubles and a stolen base through 153 plate appearances. Jorge Polanco (hamstring) is likely out another week, so Julien should maintain a strong-side platoon role at second base early in the second half.

Vargas was optioned to Triple-A Oklahoma City on Sunday, Bill Plunkett of The Orange County Register reports.

The Dodgers' top prospect entering the season, Vargas is slashing .146/.273/.293 with two home runs and one steal in 29 games since June 1. His 21 percent strikeout rate and 13 percent walk rate are right in line with expectations, but he has been a bit unlucky on balls in play this season (.224 BABIP) and could maybe use a mental reset. Chris Taylor (knee) is expected to be activated from the injured list after the All-Star break.

Astros general manager Dana Brown said Sunday that Altuve (oblique) is healing faster than anticipated, but the second baseman isn't expected to be activated from the 10-day injured list when first eligible July 14, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports.

Brown's comments came after Altuve was able to take grounders at second base prior to Sunday's game against the Mariners, per Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports. Though the GM didn't put a firm target date on Altuve's return from the IL, Brown suggested that the eight-time All-Star is about a week behind slugger Yordan Alvarez (oblique) in their respective recovery programs. Alvarez is expected to begin a rehab assignment shortly after the All-Star break, so if all goes well in Altuve's recovery over the next week, the 33-year-old could be cleared to join a minor-league affiliate the week after. Mauricio Dubon should continue to handle the keystone on an everyday basis until Altuve is deemed ready to return from the IL.

President of baseball operations Derek Falvey said Sunday he hopes Polanco (hamstring) will be able to begin a rehab assignment with Triple-A St. Paul "around next weekend," Betsy Helfand of the St. Paul Pioneer Press reports.

The 30-year-old returned to baseball activities in late June and is hoping to ramp up his running program this week, which could be the final hurdle before being cleared for game action. Polanco landed on the shelf June 10 with a hamstring strain and will likely require a handful of games in the minors before rejoining the Twins.

Kim (toe) is starting at second base and batting leadoff Sunday against the Mets, Jeff Sanders of The San Diego Union-Tribune reports.

The 27-year-old sat out Saturday after he jammed his right big toe during Friday's contest, but he'll return to action for the final game before the All-Star break. Kim has enjoyed a strong finish to the first half of the season with a .968 OPS, five homers and five steals in his past 21 games.

Dubon will start at second base and bat leadoff in Sunday's game against the Mariners.

Dubon will close out the Astros' first-half schedule with his 10th consecutive start. He made the first four of those starts at shortstop while Jeremy Pena dealt with neck tightness, but Dubon has since shifted over to second base as a replacement for the injured Jose Altuve (oblique). Additionally, Dubon has assumed Altuve's role as the Astros' table setter, as Dubon will lead off in a sixth straight game after going 5-for-21 with a triple, two RBI and a run scored in the prior five contests.

Miller will start at first base and bat fifth in Sunday's game against the Reds.

After fading into a short-side platoon role toward the end of June, Miller looks to have emerged as a fixture in the lineup against both right- and left-handed pitching since the Brewers placed Rowdy Tellez (forearm) on the injured list Wednesday. Miller will draw an eighth consecutive start Sunday despite posting a .491 OPS and striking out 10 times in the previous seven contests.

Frazier is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Twins, Roch Kubatko of MASNSports.comreports.

Frazier is 6-for-19 with a double, a home run and five RBI over his past six games, but he'll head to the bench Sunday for the second time during the three-game set in Minnesota. Jordan Westburg will shift to second base while Ramon Urias starts at the hot corner.

Donovan is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the White Sox, Jeff Jones of the Belleville News-Democrat reports.

The 26-year-old has been limited to serving as St. Louis' designated hitter over the past week while dealing with arm pain, though he's still found plenty of success at the plate with a 1.004 OPS in his last eight contests. Donovan is scheduled to start a throwing program during the All-Star break, per Jones, though it'll likely be at least a couple more weeks before he's potentially cleared to play in the field.

Lowe is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against Atlanta, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Even though Atlanta is bringing right-hander Bryce Elder to the bump for the series finale, the lefty-hitting Lowe will take a seat and get an early start on the All-Star break. Taylor Walls will check in at the keystone for Lowe, who has gone 3-for-11 with two doubles, three walks, one stolen base and two RBI while starting in four of six games since being reinstated from the injured list Tuesday.