MLB Player News

Brantley is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Mariners, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.

The fact that the Astros are opposing a lefty pitcher (Marco Gonzales) in addition to wrapping up their series with a day game are likely manager AJ Hinch's main motivations for withholding Brantley from the starting nine. The veteran will head to the bench for the first time since June 9 while Tony Kemp checks in for him in left field.

Choi is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Rangers.

Though the Rays are opposing a right-hander (Jesse Chavez) in the series finale, the lefty-hitting Choi will retreat to the bench while he remains mired in a 5-for-39 slump at the plate over the past 12 games. Yandy Diaz will shift across the diamond to replace Choi at first base.

Cabrera is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Nationals, Jason Beck of MLB.com reports.

Cabrera will hand designated-hitter duties over to Nick Castellanos in the series finale after starting each of the past 10 games and going 11-for-32 (.344 average) at the plate. The 11-time All-Star failed to record an extra-base hit during that span, however, dropping his career-worst ISO to .087 on the season.

Alvarez (knee) will serve as the Astros' designated hitter and bat fourth Sunday against the Mariners, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.

Alvarez's mobility in the field and on the basepaths may be compromised while he manages a sore left knee, but his ability to take batting practice Saturday without incident will allow him to rejoin the lineup in a non-defensive role, though he serves as the DH more than an outfielder even when healthy. The rookie, who had missed the previous two games with the injury, could be limited to DH duty for the next several days, but fantasy managers are likely just relieved he avoided a trip to the injured list.

Alvarez (knee) took pregame batting practice Saturday, Chandler Rome of the Houston Chronicle reports.

Manager AJ Hinch was optimistic about the rookie's prognosis, suggesting Alvarez could be available as a pinch hitter Saturday, but Alvarez did not appear in Houston's 6-5 win over Seattle. "He's better and we're happy with where he's at," Hinch said. "I'm not going to play him until I'm convinced he can move in the batter's box normally and be able to complete a game. We'll evaluate where he's at." If Alvarez can't play in Sunday's series finale against the Mariners, he may not get into a game until Friday. The Astros are on the road in a National League park Tuesday and Wednesday against Colorado, which would force the defensively challenged Alvarez to play the field.

Vogelbach went 2-for-4 with a walk and a solo home run in Saturday's extra-inning loss to the Astros.

His seventh-inning shot off Ryan Pressly ultimately sent the game to extras, although the M's would still fall in the 10th inning. Vogelbach is now slashing .248/.383/.528 with 20 homers and 48 RBI in 78 games.

Jimenez went 1-for-4 with a solo home run in Saturday's 10-3 loss to the Twins.

The rookie now has 14 homers on the year, but five of them have come in the last 13 games -- a stretch during which Jimenez is slashing a strong .300/.345/.620. The 22-year-old has had an up-and-down beginning to his big-league career, but he could be gearing up for a big second half.

Alvarez (knee) is not in Saturday's lineup against the Mariners, Chandler Rome of the Houston Chronicle reports.

He will miss a second game in a row after exiting Thursday's game with knee discomfort. Michael Brantley starts at DH while Jake Marisnick starts in center field, pushing George Springer and Josh Reddick to the outfield corners.

Buxton (wrist) was activated from the 10-day injured list Saturday.

There was some thought earlier in the week that Buxton would need a rehab assignment before returning to the big club, but he will end up bypassing a minor-league stint after a successful round of batting practice Friday. Jake Cave was optioned to make room for Buxton on the active roster. The 25-year-old seems to be in the midst of his long-awaited breakout season, hitting .266/.324/.527 (119 wRC+) through his first 227 plate appearances.

Jimenez went 2-for-4 with a two-run homer in Friday's 6-4 win over the Twins.

Jimenez launched a two-run homer in the eighth inning, which at the time gave the White Sox a four-run cushion. However, it turned out to be key as the Twins rallied for two in the ninth to make it close. The homer was Jimenez's 13th of the season and his seventh in 17 games.