MLB Player News

Dubon is starting at second base and batting leadoff Saturday against the Angels.

Dubon will fill in for Jose Altuve, who has the day off. The 28-year-old Dubon has seen a predictable dip in playing time since Altuve returned two weeks ago from March surgery for a fractured thumb.

Altuve is not in the lineup Saturday against the Angels.

This would appear to be a designed day of rest as the Astros try to keep Altuve healthy. He's slashed .286/.388/.500 in 11 games (49 plate appearances) since returning May 19 from spring surgery for a fractured right thumb. Mauricio Dubon is playing second base and batting leadoff Saturday.

Castro isn't in the Rockies' lineup Saturday against Kansas City.

With Daniel Lynch set to take the mound for the Royals on Saturday, the left-handed batting Castro will begin the game in the dugout. Alan Trejo will take over at second base and bat eighth.

Massey is out of the lineup Saturday against the Rockies.

Matt Duffy is starting at second base and batting ninth with left-hander Kyle Freeland set to toe the slab for Colorado. Massey has actually fared pretty well versus lefties this year, but he carries a rough .235/.290/.340 overall season slash line through 169 plate appearances.

Valdez is not in the lineup for the first half of Saturday's doubleheader against the Rays.

Pablo Reyes will start at second base and bat ninth for the Red Sox in the early tilt at Fenway Park. Valdez figures to get the nod in the nightcap. He's cooled off considerably since his immediate outburst in late April and early May, but the 24-year-old still holds a respectable .740 OPS through his first 29 major-league games.

Kemp went 0-for-2 with a walk and a stolen base in a loss to the Marlins on Friday.

The veteran, back in the lineup after consecutive off days, was able to achieve at least a modicum of offensive success while operating out of the bottom of the order. Kemp's walk marked only his third time reaching safely in the last eight games (20 plate appearances), with all of those instances coming via a free pass.

India went 1-for-3 with two HBP and a two-run home run in Friday's 5-4 loss to Milwaukee.

India hit a go-ahead, two-run home run in the third to give the Reds a 3-2 lead, marking his sixth long ball of the season. The 2018 first-round pick won NL Rookie of the Year in 2021, but he struggled last year. He's back to producing like he did as a rookie, slashing .278/.368/.431 across 57 appearances, and has been slugging the ball better of late with three home runs and a double over his past six games (25 at-bats).

Donovan went 1-for-4 with a walk and a two-run home run in Friday's 7-5 loss to the Pirates.

He opened the scoring on the night by taking Roansy Contreras deep in the third inning for his sixth homer of the year. Donovan has been holding down an everyday role due to multiple injuries in the Cardinals' outfield, and while he got his June off to a quick start, the grind took its toll in May -- the 26-year-old finished the month with a .228/.358/.354 slash line.

Espinal (hamstring) is slated for a third rehab game Saturday with Low-A Dunedin, Arden Zwelling of Sportsnet.ca reports.

Espinal has the night off Friday after going 2-for-6 with a double in his first two rehab games Wednesday and Thursday. On the shelf since May 20 due to a right hamstring strain, the 28-year-old utility infielder should be ready to return to the Blue Jays' active roster next week.

Drury went 2-for-5 with a solo home run and a double in Thursday's loss to Houston.

The blast came in the fifth inning and gave the Angels a 2-1 lead at the time, though Houston responded with three runs in the bottom of the frame. Drury has begun to heat up at the plate again, collecting five multi-hit performances over his past nine contests. Over that span, he's slashing .333/.421/.758 with three homers, five RBI and seven runs.