MLB Player News

Altuve said that MRI results showed a "minor" issue with his left oblique Thursday, Matt Kawahara of the Houston Chronicle reports.

Altuve also noted that the results were better than he was expecting. While he didn't comment on a specific return timeline, he expressed optimism about potential being activated shortly after the All-Star break. The 33-year-old second baseman tweaked his left oblique during batting practice Tuesday and will be eligible to be reinstated July 14.

Massey isn't in the Royals' lineup Thursday against Cleveland.

Massey has gone 1-for-6 with two strikeouts in two games since returning from the injured list, and he'll get a breather Thursday. Nicky Lopez will fill in at second base and bat ninth.

Hensley was recalled from Triple-A Sugar Land on Thursday, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.

Hensley managed just a .403 OPS in 26 games earlier this season with the Astros and wasn't great at Sugar Land, either, with a .700 OPS. However, Houston needs some infield protection with Jose Altuve (oblique) going down, which Hensley will provide.

The Astros placed Altuve on the 10-day injured list Thursday with left oblique discomfort.

After tweaking his oblique during batting practice Tuesday, Altuve will officially be sidelined through the All-Star break. The move is retroactive to July 4, so Altuve will be eligible to return as soon as the break is over. Mauricio Dubon will presumably handle second base while Altuve is out, and David Hensley was recalled from Triple-A Sugar Land to fill Altuve's roster spot.

Frazier isn't in the Orioles' lineup Thursday against the Yankees.

Frazier is 2-for-9 with a homer and three RBI during Baltimore's current series against New York, and he'll get a breather for Thursday's finale. Jordan Westburg will slide to second base in Frazier's absence, allowing Ramon Urias to start at third and bat ninth.

Manager Gabe Kapler said Thursday that Estrada (hand) is expected to be sidelined for the next 4-to-6 weeks, Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.

That timeline will be extended if Estrada requires surgery, but for now he's just in rest-and-treatment mode. The dynamic 27-year-old suffered a fracture in his left hand when he was hit by a pitch Sunday against the Mets, and the Giants officially placed him on the injured list Monday. Casey Schmitt should continue to draw most of the starts at second base in Estrada's absence.

Merrifield isn't in the Blue Jays' lineup for Game 1 of Thursday's doubleheader against the White Sox.

Merrifield broke out of his slump at the plate Tuesday -- going 2-for-4 with two RBI -- and he'll get a breather during Toronto's first game Thursday. Cavan Biggio will fill in at the keystone and bat seventh.

Arroyo isn't in the Red Sox's lineup Thursday against the Rangers, Gabrielle Starr of the Boston Herald reports.

Arroyo is 4-for-11 with two runs scored across his last three games, but he'll take a seat for Thursday's series finale. Enrique Hernandez will fill in at second base and bat seventh.

Donovan went 3-for-5 in Wednesday's 10-9 loss to the Marlins.

Donovan racked up three singles while serving as the designated hitter, as arm soreness will prevent him from playing the field until after the All-Star break. The 26-year-old's hitting hasn't been negatively impacted by the arm issue thus far -- he's 10-for-18 over his last five games. His defensive versatility usually helps to keep him in the lineup, so it's unclear how often he'll be in the lineup over the next four days before the break. He's slashing a steady .288/.378/.419 through 77 contests this season.

Short will start at second base and bat eighth in Thursday's game against the Athletics.

Short will pick up his third consecutive start at second base after reaching base twice in seven plate appearances in the first two games of the series with Oakland. Though his playing time has been trending up of late, Short will likely find himself as one of the odd men out of the lineup by the weekend, when Detroit is expected to get two regulars back from the injured list in Akil Baddoo (quadriceps) and Riley Greene (fibula).