MLB Player News

Alvarez (COVID-19 protocols) is unlikely to return during the Astros' current five-game road trip, Jake Kaplan of The Athletic reports.

Alvarez and four of his teammates were placed on the COVID-19 injured list Wednesday. It's not clear whether Alvarez has tested positive for the virus, but manager Dusty Baker said Friday that all five of the players on the COVID-19 IL will likely be sidelined for at least the next five games. Aledmys Diaz and Ronnie Dawson should continue to fill in at designated hitter while Alvarez is sidelined.

Ohtani will throw a side session Saturday, Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic reports.

Ohtani threw a 23-pitch bullpen session Wednesday without a bandage covering his blistered middle right finger, and manager Joe Maddon said that Saturday's throwing session should determine when the right-hander will be able to make his next outing as a pitcher. Ohtani has still been able to hit while working through his finger injury and is serving as the designated hitter while batting second in Friday's game against Minnesota.

Buxton has been diagnosed with a mild hamstring strain, Do-Hyoung Park of MLB.com reports.

Buxton was initially believed to be dealing with hamstring tightness, but the team is now calling it a strain. He's on the bench for a fourth straight contest Friday but will go through a full workout to test his injury.

Buxton (hamstring) isn't starting Friday's game against the Angels.

Buxton will be on the bench for a fourth consecutive matchup as he continues to deal with a tight hamstring. Jake Cave will start in center field once again Friday, batting ninth.

Reyes is out of the lineup for Friday's game against the Reds.

The 25-year-old will head to the bench for the first time this season as Cleveland can't utilize a designated hitter in Cincinnati. It's also not a bad time for a day off, since Reyes in 0-for-13 with six strikeouts over the past four games. He should be available off the bench and could see time in the corner outfield later in the series.

Canha went 1-for-3 with three walks and a run scored in Thursday's 8-4 win over Detroit.

The outfielder has thrived in the leadoff spot this season, hitting .280 with a .419 OBP largely driven by 10 walks in 50 at-bats. Canha is second only to Ronald Acuna in the majors with 14 runs scored, which is largely attributable to the resurgence of two-hitter Jed Lowrie. There's nothing especially flashy about Canha's game, but he will remain a valuable fantasy asset as long as he continues finding ways to get on base and score runs.

Solak went 3-for-5 with a home run, two RBI and an additional run scored in the 6-4 win over the Rays on Thursday.

Solak's home run came off Rich Hill in the second inning. Solak has been the definition of inconsistent to start the season. The 26-year-old has had big games like Thursday, but he also has a 34 percent strikeout rate that recently got him bumped down in the lineup. His 18 strikeouts compared to one walk needs to improve in order for him to hit at the top of the lineup every day.

Soler went 2-for-4 with a run scored in Thursday's 7-5 win over the Blue Jays.

Soler hit a double in the fourth inning and scored on Hunter Dozier's double. This was just the second multi-hit effort for Soler in 11 games this season. He's slashing .171/.310/.286 with a homer, four RBI and four runs scored across 42 plate appearances. Not only has his power stroke not shown up so far, but he's also carrying a career-worst 42.9 percent strikeout rate.

Buxton (hamstring) isn't starting Thursday's game against the Red Sox.

Buxton has been dealing with a tight hamstring that also forced him to miss both games of Wednesday's doubleheader against Boston. Jake Cave will start in center field once again Thursday, batting seventh.

Martinez isn't starting Thursday's game against the Twins, Ian Browne of MLB.com reports.

Martinez had a hot start to the season but has gone just 1-for-9 with three walks and three strikeouts in the last three contests. He'll get what appears to be a routine day off Thursday while Franchy Cordero serves as the designated hitter, batting eighth.