MLB Player News

Ramirez went 1-for-4 with a solo home run in Sunday's 6-3 loss to the Reds.

Ramirez has gone yard twice in the last four games. The third baseman is slashing .232/.302/.464 with four homers, eight RBI, six runs scored and three stolen bases through 67 plate appearances this season. He can be a solid all-around contributor once his batting average gets closer to his career .281 mark.

Madrigal batted leadoff and went 2-for-3 with a double, two RBI and a run scored in the second game of Sunday's doubleheader against Boston.

Madrigal moved to the top of the order with Tim Anderson getting the second game off and made an impact early. He singled to open the game and came home on a Jose Abreu groundout. He later doubled in the final run in Chicago's three-run fourth inning. Madrigal has hit in four straight, going 7-for-14 with a double, three RBI and two runs scored.

Toro is not in the lineup Sunday at Seattle, Chandler Rome of the Houston Chronicle reports.

The 24-year-old is expected to see additional playing time with Alex Bregman (COVID-19 protocols) sidelined, but Toro won't start Sunday's contest. Aledmys Diaz will work at the hot corner in the series finale for Houston.

Astros manager Dusty Baker said Sunday that Bregman (COVID-19 injured list) has been cleared to resume individual workouts, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.

Bregman and the other four Astros placed on the COVID-19 IL on Wednesday all appear to have finished their respective quarantine periods, but Baker didn't specify when any of the players might be ready to rejoin the team. Since Baker previously mentioned that the five players in question are unlikely to be available for the team's ongoing road trip, Bregman's earliest possible return date would most likely be Thursday, when the Astros host the Angels.

Madrigal is not in the lineup for Game 1 of Sunday's doubleheader against the Red Sox.

Madrigal started the past four games and will be on the bench for Sunday's matinee after going 5-for-14 with one run and one RBI during that stretch. Leury Garcia will start at the keystone in Game 1 for the White Sox.

Toro started at third base and went 1-for-4 in Saturday's 1-0 win over the Mariners.

Toro has started two of three games at third base since the Astros placed Alex Bregman on the COVID-19 protocols list. With Bregman unlikely to return before Thursday, Toro should be in line for at-bats in the short term. He's gone 1-for-7 with a walk over his two starts.

Ramirez went 1-for-4 with a walk and a stolen base in Saturday's 3-2 extra-inning loss to the Reds.

Ramirez got aboard in the fifth inning on a single and stole second. The third baseman is already up to three steals in 14 games this year. Ramirez has added three homers, seven RBI, five runs scored and a .231/.305/.423 slash line through 59 plate appearances.

Rendon (groin) has not resumed baseball activities since being placed on the 10-day injured list Monday, Rhett Bollinger of MLB.com reports.

The 30-year-old is eligible to return from the injured list Wednesday, though it's unclear if he'll be fully recovered from the groin strain by that point. Rendon likely will need to resume baseball activities within the next couple days to have a chance of being activated Wednesday.

LeMahieu is manager Aaron Boone's primary option to play first base while Luke Voit (knee) remains out, Max Goodman of Sports Illustrated reports.

LeMahieu led off and started at first base again Saturday -- his fourth start at the position in his past five games. Meanwhile, Rougned Odor has taken over at second base to account for LeMahieu's shift to first. Jay Bruce opened the season as Voit's replacement but is batting only .118. LeMahieu went 2-for-4 with an RBI and a run Saturday against Tampa Bay and is slashing .288/.383/.423 on the campaign. With Voit likely still weeks away from a return, LeMahieu could see enough time at first to gain eligibility at the position in fantasy leagues.

Chapman went 1-for-4 with a solo homer and two runs scored in Friday's 3-0 win over Detroit.

Chapman's solo shot in the eighth inning extended Oakland's lead to 3-0. The 27-year-old slugger is slashing .189/.254/.415 with three home runs and nine RBI in 59 plate appearances.