MLB Player News

Altuve (elbow) is starting Friday against the Orioles.

Altuve sat out Thursday due to an elbow injury, but he'll start at the keystone and lead off following his one-game absence. The 32-year-old is riding a four-game hitting streak in which he's gone 8-for-13 with a solo homer, six runs, a stolen base, two walks and a strikeout.

Frazier went 2-for-4 with an RBI single and a two-run double in a win over the Athletics on Thursday.

Frazier's clutch double in the sixth inning plated Jarred Kelenic and Dylan Moore to snap a 5-5 tie, and his ninth-inning single drove home Moore with the final run of the game. The veteran's productive showing out of the No. 9 spot in the order was an especially welcome sight, considering he'd been mired in a 2-for-22 slump over the previous eight games despite striking out at just an 8.7 percent clip in that span.

Merrifield went 2-for-4 with two home runs and three RBI in Thursday's loss against the Rays.

After Teoscar Hernandez led off the second inning with a homer, Merrifield came up two batters later and crushed a solo shot of his own to tie the game at 3-3. The second baseman then crushed a two-run homer in the ninth, though the game had already gotten away from the Blue Jays by that point. Merrifield hasn't gotten a whole lot of playing time recently, though he is 5-for-14 (.357) in his last 16 plate appearances with two homers, five RBI, and four runs scored while also drawing two walks in that span.

Bae is expected to have his contract selected by the Pirates on Friday, Alex Stumpf of DKPittsburghSports.com reports.

Bae has spent the entire season with Triple-A Indianapolis and has a .291/.364/.432 slash line with eight home runs, 53 RBI, 81 runs and 30 stolen bases in 108 games. The 23-year-old primarily played the middle infield spots at Triple-A but has also seen some time in the outfield, and he'll receive his first taste of the majors down the stretch for Pittsburgh.

Donovan went 1-for-4 with a grand slam and a walk in Thursday's 5-4 win over the Padres.

Donovan went 0-for-9 over his previous three games before lifting a seventh-inning grand slam that gave the Cardinals their margin of victory. He's hit just five home runs this year, but three of them have come in his last 15 contests, a span in which he's added seven RBI and 12 runs scored. The rookie utility man is slashing .279/.390/.377 with 44 RBI, 56 runs scored and two stolen bases through 115 games overall.

Espinal was placed on the 10-day injured list with a left oblique strain Thursday.

Espinal was removed from Wednesday's game against the Phillies due to side discomfort, and he'll miss at least a week and a half after being diagnosed with an oblique strain. Cavan Biggio and Whit Merrifield should see increased playing time at second base in Espinal's absence, while Otto Lopez was called up to provide additional depth.

Rojas isn't starting Thursday against the Dodgers.

Rojas was already confirmed to be losing playing time due to his defensive woes, but it's not clear whether or not he's completely lost the primary role at third base. Nonetheless, he will be held out Thursday in favor of Sergio Alcantara, who will bat seventh.

Chavis isn't in the lineup Thursday against the Cubs, Kevin Gorman of TribLive.com reports.

Chavis has gone 0-for-12 with four strikeouts over the last four games, and he'll head to the bench for the third time in the last four matchups. Zack Collins is starting at first base and batting eighth.

Espinal (side) isn't starting Thursday against the Rays.

Espinal exited Wednesday's matchup against Philadelphia due to left side discomfort, and he'll be out of the lineup for at least one game. Cavan Biggio will take his place at the keystone and bat ninth.

Altuve (elbow) isn't in the lineup Thursday against Baltimore.

Altuve was removed from Wednesday's game after being hit in the elbow by a pitch, and he'll be held out of the lineup a day later. However, he underwent X-rays that came back negative and expects to play Friday against the Orioles, per Danielle Lerner of the Houston Chronicle. Aledmys Diaz will draw the start at the keystone and bat seventh Thursday.