MLB Player News

Altuve (foot) is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against Atlanta, and manager joe Espada said that the 35-year-old is still feeling "pretty sore" as he continues to be evaluated by team doctors, Matt Kawahara of the Houston Chronicle reports.

The 35-year-old exited Saturday's 6-2 win due to right foot discomfort and continues to manage the injury Sunday. Altuve will miss at least one start, and it remains to be seen if he'll be available off the bench for the series finale. Yordan Alvarez will serve as Houston's designated hitter Sunday, and Zach Cole will pick up a start in left field.

Suarez will start Sunday's game in Toronto in what's expected to be a bullpen day for the Orioles, Jake Rill of MLB.com reports.

During his lengthy rehab assignment in August while he recovered from a shoulder strain, Suarez built up to as many as five innings, but he's tossed between one and three innings in three relief appearances since Baltimore reinstated him from the 60-day injured list Sept. 1. With Dean Kremer (forearm) set to miss his turn through the rotation this weekend, Suarez will draw the spot start, but since he'll be pitching on three days' rest and also warmed up in the bullpen during Saturday's 5-4 loss, the right-hander may not be asked to work deep enough into Sunday's outing to qualify for a win.

Rafaela went 1-for-4 with two strikeouts in Saturday's 5-3 loss to the Yankees.

Rafaela swung and missed at three pitches outside the zone with two runners in scoring position in the second inning. He later struck out swinging on a ball in the dirt with two runners on base. It continued a rough second half for the outfielder, who is slashing .188/.241/.276 since the All-Star break.

Vest tossed two scoreless innings of relief in Saturday's 6-4, extra-innings loss to the Marlins. He allowed a hit and a walk while striking out one.

Vest worked scoreless ninth and 10th innings to preserve a tied game, but the Tigers fell when Rafael Montero allowed three runs in the bottom of the 11th to blow a 4-3 lead. It was just the third appearance of the month for Vest, as the Tigers are now 4-7 in September and not giving the veteran reliever many games to close out. Vest has still pitched well with a 2.57 ERA and 9.4 K/9, and he should remain Detroit's closer, at least for however long Kyle Finnegan (groin) is on the injured list.

Duran hit a pinch-hit solo home run in Saturday's 5-3 loss to the Yankees.

Duran launched his first career pinch-hit home run in the eighth inning, bringing the Red Sox within one run before the comeback bid ended. It was his 15th homer of the season and first in 11 games.

Montero (1-2) allowed three runs (two earned) on two hits while retiring one batter to blow a save and take the loss in Saturday's extra-innings contest against the Marlins.

With Will Vest having already pitched the ninth and 10th innings, the Tigers had to turn to Montero in the 11th to protect a 4-3 lead. The veteran righty couldn't get the job done in an ineffective performance. Montero has a rough 4.88 ERA overall this season, though he's been better since joining Detroit before the trade deadline, posting a 3.71 ERA across 17 innings so far. He should remain in a middle-relief role with limited fantasy appeal.

Bregman went 1-for-5 with a solo home run in Saturday's 5-3 loss to the Yankees.

Bregman put the Red Sox on the board with his fifth-inning homer, reducing the deficit to 4-1. The blast was his first one since Aug. 12, ending a drought of 27 games. During that span, Bregman slashed .214/.305/.262 with seven RBI.

Meyers went 2-for-3 with a run scored and a walk Saturday against Atlanta.

Meyers has started six of seven games since being activated from the injured list Sept. 6. He's reached base three times in each of his last two starts, going 4-for-6 with three runs scored and two RBI. Despite logging only 348 plate appearances due to injury, Meyers has set a career high in stolen bases (15) and has tied his highest mark in runs scored (51).

Tellez went 1-for-1 with a ground-rule double and an RBI in Saturday's 3-2 win over the Mets.

Tellez entered as a pinch hitter in the top of the ninth inning and belted a two-out, ground-rule double to produce the go-ahead run and complete Texas' comeback. Since Jake Burger's return in early September, Tellez's regular gig at first base has disappeared. Saturday's appearance was his fifth straight as a pinch hitter.

Freeman started at second base and went 2-for-4 with a double in Saturday's 3-2 win over the Mets.

After leading off the top of ninth inning with a single, Freeman was replaced by a pinch runner (Dustin Harris) that eventually scored the game-winning run. The start at second base was the fourth consecutive for Freeman, who has been part of the rotation replacing an injured Marcus Semien (foot), which includes Dylan Moore and Ezequiel Duran. Freeman has also helped out in right field due to Adolis Garcia (quadriceps) being on the mend. Since being called up to Texas in August, Freeman's slashed .235/.254/.353 with two home runs, nine RBI and eight runs scored over 20 games.