MLB Player News

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.

Reyes went 2-for-4 with two solo home runs and a walk in Saturday's 12-2 win over the Cardinals.

His first homer of the game chased Cardinals starter Dakota Hudson, capping a seven-run second inning. Reyes then took reliever Daniel Ponce de Leon deep in the seventh inning. Reyes is up to 24 homers, 41 RBI and 35 runs scored in 78 games. It's the right fielder's second two-homer game in his last three contests.

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.

Blackmon went 1-for-4 with a two-run homer and a second run scored in Saturday's 5-3 win over the Dodgers.

He took Clayton Kershaw deep in the third inning, his ninth homer in 21 games in June and 19th on the year. Blackmon's huge month has pushed his slash line up to .334/.380/.645, and the only disappointment in his 2019 numbers so far has been that the 32-year-old no longer seems like any kind of five-category threat -- he's gone just 2-for-4 on the basepaths this season.

Ozuna was diagnosed with multiple small fractures on the middle and ring fingers of his right hand, Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports.

Ozuna was placed on the injured list after sustaining the injury diving back to first base on a pickoff attempt Friday, but the results of his X-rays weren't previously known. Per FOX Sports Midwest, manager Mike Shildt said Ozuna will be sidelined "every bit of the 10 days and beyond." Surgery doesn't appear to be in the cards, but it looks as though the 28-year-old will be on the shelf beyond the All-Star break.

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.

Carpenter is out of the lineup for Saturday's game versus the Padres, Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports.

No injury has been reported for Carpenter, yet he finds himself on the bench for the third straight game. The 33-year-old has struggled in June with a .208/.303/.364 slash line in 22 games. Tommy Edman will once again bat leadoff and start at third base in his absence.

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.