MLB Player News

Manager Dusty Baker said Monday that he hopes Alvarez (knee) will be able to return to game action Wednesday, Chandler Rome of the Houston Chronicle reports.

Alvarez has been shut down since last Wednesday with knee soreness, but he's on track to resume full activity Monday ahead of a likely return to a role in the starting lineup. The 22-year-old's absence is unlikely to affect his availability for Opening Day and he's expected to play a prominent role for the Astros after making his major-league debut in 2019.

Solak entered Sunday's game in left field after Willie Calhoun (jaw) was hit by a pitch and forced to leave.

Calhoun, who entered training camp as the starting left fielder, was diagnosed with a fractured jaw, T.R. Sullivan of MLB.com reports, and the Rangers are bracing for the possibility of him being out for an extended period of the time. If Calhoun is sidelined for the beginning of the season, Solak is one possibility to take over in left field. That would solve the problem of finding consistent at-bats for Solak, who has also played center field and third base in Cactus League games.

Lewis went 1-for-4 with a grand slam in a Cactus League win over the Dodgers on Friday.

The seventh-inning blast was the second homer of spring for Lewis, who's still hitting just .143 across eight Cactus League games. In fact, Lewis hasn't hit safely over his 16 exhibition plate appearance outside of the pair of round trippers, but he's still on track to open the regular season as the starting right fielder.

Stanton (calf) will resume throwing and hitting tee-and-toss Saturday, Bryan Hoch of MLB.com reports.

He is also continuing to run on an anti-gravity treadmill in addition to resuming baseball activities. It's encouraging that Stanton is ramping up, but he is still doubtful to be ready for Opening Day.

Stanton (calf) has started running on an Alter-G anti-gravity treadmill, Bryan Hoch of MLB.com reports.

According to manager Aaron Boone, Stanton got up to six miles per hour on the treadmill, toeing the line between a brisk jog and a light run. While the increased activity is a good sign that Stanton's right calf strain is improving, the slugger remains doubtful to be ready for Opening Day.

Martinez went 2-for-3 with three-run home run in Wednesday's spring game against the Tigers.

The homer was Martinez's second of spring training and third extra-base knock in four hits. Entering his age-32 season, Martinez is still an elite and productive hitter.

Solak looks fine in center field but won't be the Rangers' primary option there, at least early in the season, T.R. Sullivan of MLB.com reports.

The Rangers appear confident that the versatile 25-year-old, who played only second and third base during his 33-game debut last season, can handle the position, but they prefer Danny Santana out there for now. It looks as though Solak's primary work will come at third base, which pushes Todd Frazier into a competition with Ronald Guzman. and perhaps Greg Bird, at first base. Solak's flexibility means he could wind up playing multiple spots throughout the season to cover for injuries or underperformance by his teammates.

Manager Dusty Baker said Wednesday that Alvarez will be withheld from baseball activities for "three to four days" while the slugger manages knee soreness, Matt Young of the Houston Chronicle reports.

Alvarez's shutdown seems to be precautionary more than anything, but until he re-enters the Astros' Grapefruit League lineup, his status will be one worth tracking. Alvarez is expected to occupy a spot in the heart of the Houston lineup in 2020 after an exceptional rookie campaign in which he posted a .412 on-base percentage, 27 home runs and 78 RBI in just 87 games with the big club.

Solak started in center field and went 0-for-3 in Tuesday's spring game against the Giants.

Solak made his fourth start and played his sixth game in center field Tuesday as the Rangers continue to evaluate the infielder for a shift to the outfield. Texas manager Chris Woodward will also give him starts at third base, T.R. Sullivan of MLB.com reports. The manager wants to get Solak's bat in the lineup, whether that be in center or third. If it's third base, then Todd Frazier could move across the diamond to first base, where neither Ronald Guzman (.176) nor Greg Bird (.067) has grabbed hold of the open spot.

Alvarez's removal from the lineup for Tuesday's game against St. Louis was due to soreness in his knees, Chandler Rome of the Houston Chronicle reports.

Manager Dusty Baker didn't sound particularly concerned, calling the lineup change precautionary. It sounds as though Alvarez is expected to be fine by Opening Day, though that won't be entirely clear until he returns to the lineup.