MLB Player News

Astros general manager Dana Brown said Sunday that Alvarez (hand) will be re-evaluated Thursday and could be cleared to start swinging a bat, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.

Brown also added that Alvarez is no longer dealing with any pain in his hand and that the organization could "try to expedite his return." The veteran slugger has been on the injured list with the fractured hand since early May, and he received two injections to reduce inflammation in the area in early July. Alvarez won't be ready to rejoin the Astros for the start of the second half Friday in Seattle, but his activation may not be too far off if he can avoid any setbacks.

The Orioles placed Blewett on the 15-day injured list Sunday due to right elbow discomfort.

The injury presumably surfaced during Blewett's appearance in a 6-0 loss to the Marlins on Saturday, when he surrendered four runs over one inning. Catcher David Banuelos was recalled from Triple-A Norfolk in a corresponding move.

The Orioles recalled Banuelos from Triple-A Norfolk ahead of Sunday's game against the Marlins.

Banuelos will provide Baltimore with some extra catching depth for the final game of the season's first half. He went 0-for-1 in his lone plate appearance for the Orioles when he was up with the big club for a doubleheader with the Mets on Thursday.

Soler is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Diamondbacks.

Soler is in the midst of a modest five-game hit streak, during which he's gone 5-for-14 with a double and a home run, but he'll hit the bench Sunday for the second time in the Halos' past three games. LaMonte Wade will draw the start in right field for the final game before the All-Star break.

Andujar is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Blue Jays.

After being activated from the injured list Wednesday, Andujar has proceeded to start at third base in three of the Athletics' ensuing five games, going 2-for-12 with a walk. Though Gio Urshela will fill in for him at the hot corner Sunday, Andujar should serve as the Athletics' primary option at the position heading into the second half.

Langeliers is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Blue Jays.

Austin Wynns will pick up the start behind the plate while Langeliers rests in the series finale. Langeliers had started in seven of the previous eight contests, going 3-for-28 (.107 average) with a 1:8 BB:K during that stretch.

Straw will start in center field and bat eighth in Sunday's game against the Athletics.

Straw will pick up his fourth straight start heading into the All-Star break, though Toronto still appears to be viewing him as a part-time player. The last two of his starts have come against left-handed pitching, while his start Friday against Athletics righty Luis Severino came after Joey Loperfido was scratched from the lineup due to an illness. Straw is likely to eventually see his playing time in center field dwindle once Daulton Varsho (hamstring) makes his return from the injured list.

Loperfido (illness) is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Athletics.

The left-handed-hitting Loperfido will miss out on a third straight start, but his absence likely has more to do with the Athletics sending a second consecutive lefty starter (Jeffrey Springs) to the bump rather than any concern about his health. Loperfido was scratched from the lineup ahead of Friday's game due to an illness, but he was deployed as a pinch hitter in Saturday's 4-3 loss, drawing a walk in his lone plate appearance.

Springer is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Athletics.

The Blue Jays opted to rest Springer in advance of the All-Star break, allowing the team to give Vladimir Guerrero a day out of the infield while keeping his bat in the lineup at designated hitter. Springer has played a major part in the Blue Jays' recent surge up the AL East standings; while starting in 14 of the previous 15 games, he slashed .316/.391/.596 with five home runs, three steals, 15 RBI and 13 runs.

The Athletics reinstated Urias (hamstring) from the 10-day injured list Sunday.

The veteran infielder landed on the shelf in early July due to a hamstring strain, but he'll rejoin the active roster after missing the minimum amount of time. Urias is on the bench for Sunday's matchup with the Blue Jays, but he'll vie with Max Muncy for regular starts at second base after Zack Gelof was demoted to Triple-A Las Vegas in a corresponding move.