MLB Player News

Muncy (hand) has been cleared to take batting practice on the field and also go through infield drills, Martin Gallegos of MLB.com reports.

Muncy has been out since late April with a fractured fifth metacarpal in his left hand, He is taking some big steps forward with his recovery, but the Athletics are refraining from offering a timetable for the infielder's return to the active roster. Because he's missed so much time, Muncy is undoubtedly going to require a rehab assignment before returning.

Wilson (shoulder) has begun a hitting progression and also resumed playing catch, Martin Gallegos of MLB.com reports.

He will also begin fielding grounders this week. It's a big step forward for Wilson as he works his way back from a left shoulder subluxation, but there remains no timetable for his return to the active roster. With Wilson sidelined, Darell Hernaiz has been holding down shortstop for the Athletics.

Smith (illness) is expected to return to Globe Life Field this week, but it's unclear when he'll be ready to ramp up his baseball activities, Jeff Wilson of AllDLLS.com reports.

Smith was first sidelined with a right glute strain and then a wrist problem, but more recently he was diagnosed with viral meningitis. He was in the hospital for several days with the illness but is now on the mend. However, it could be several weeks before Smith is ready to return to the Rangers' active roster.

Twins manager Derek Shelton confirmed Monday that Lee will be used primarily at third base moving forward, Dan Hayes of The Athletic reports.

Lee's glove work at shortstop has been poor, and with Royce Lewis having been optioned to Triple-A St. Paul, Lee has made four straight starts at the hot corner. Ryan Kreidler looks to be in line for the bulk of the starts at shortstop for the time being, though top prospect Kaelen Culpepper could get a look at the position before long.

Seager (back) isn't slated to be re-evaluated for "probably another week," Shawn McFarland of The Dallas Morning News reports.

Seager hasn't played since May 13 and currently resides on Texas' 10-day IL. He had been tabbed for live BP on Sunday, but that session was postponed. There had been some hope that Seager could return during the Rangers' upcoming homestand, which begins Monday, but that now seems to be off the table. His timeframe for resuming game action is hazy and probably won't gain clarity until he's re-evaluated.

Allen went 3-for-3 with a solo home run, an RBI single and an additional run scored during the Astros' 8-5 win over the Cubs on Sunday.

Allen blasted his first long ball of the season in the third inning when he took Shota Imanaga deep to left field. Allen came home to score again in the fifth before giving the Astros an insurance run in the ninth after his single to right field brought Cam Smith home. Allen has mostly operated in a utility role this season, but he should see some more spot starts in the infield for as long as Jose Altuve (oblique) is on the 10-day injured list.

Henderson went 1-for-3 with a solo home run and a walk in a 5-3 win over the Tigers in Game 1 of Sunday's doubleheader.

Henderson's bat has warmed up over the last week-plus -- he's gone 14-for-34 (.412) with two homers and four RBI over his last eight contests. The shortstop is now batting .230 with a .720 OPS, 11 homers, 25 RBI, 27 runs scored, six stolen bases, 10 doubles and a triple over 51 games. Henderson has never had an OPS lower than .787 in a full season, so he should continue to improve.

Hernaiz is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Padres.

Alika Williams will pick up his first start for the Athletics since being acquired last weekend while Hernaiz retreats to the bench for the series finale in San Diego. Hernaiz had started at shortstop in each of the Athletics' last 12 games, going 12-for-36 (.333 average) with one stolen base, six runs and two RBI during that stretch.

Shewmake is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Cubs.

With southpaw Shota Imanaga on the bump for the Cubs, Shewmake will retreat to the bench after going 0-for-5 with a walk and a run scored while starting the first two games of the series at second base. Brice Matthews will handle the keystone Sunday.

Lee is not in the Twins' starting lineup against the Red Sox on Sunday.

Lee went 2-for-8 with two runs across the last two games but will be on the bench for Sunday's series finale, while Ryan Kreidler starts at shortstop and bats ninth. Lee has gone 19-for-74 (.257) with one steal, seven RBI and nine runs scored since May 1.