Houston Astros infielder Aledmys Diaz is back in the starting lineup for Friday's game against Josiah Gray and the Washington Nationals. He will be covering shortstop and batting seventh. Diaz missed each of the team's previous four games due to an undisclosed injury. With Jeremy Pena (knee) out with a knee injury on Friday, Diaz's return comes at a good time for the team. Diaz is slashing .203/.271/.313 with two home runs, eight RBI and five runs over 21 games on the year.

Houston Astros infielder/outfielder Aledmys Diaz has a few more games left in the regular season to get locked back in offensively. Diaz popped went 2-for-5 Wednesday with a home run and three runs batted in and it was only his third extra-base hit over his last 69 at-bats. Diaz did a fantastic job playing positions in the infield and outfield while the Astros dealt with injuries a month ago but his offense has nose-dived as the team has gotten healthier. Diaz is slashing only .189/.302/.324 in the month of September and figures to take on a bench role when the postseason begins.

Houston Astros infielder Aledmys Diaz will get the start at designated hitter Monday against the Mariners. The Astros are giving slugger Yordan Alvarez the day off while trying to get Diaz some at-bats to work out of his slump. Diaz was white-hot at the plate three weeks ago and had his batting average up to .306. But the return of Alex Bregman and Michael Brantley from injuries shrunk the utility man's opportunities and currently is mired in a 0-for-21 slump. Diaz will be a risky DFS call but has strong numbers against left-handed pitching this season, slashing .289/.337/.494 across 83 chances. The Mariners will send to the left-handed starter Yusei Kikuchi Monday night.

Houston Astros infielder/outfielder Aledmys Diaz will head into the team's matchup against the Mariners Monday night swinging a hot stick at the plate. Diaz is slashing .287/.330/.372 during the month of August but has been losing playing time over the last week. The Astros simply are getting healthier, welcoming back All-Star Alex Bregman and young slugger Kyle Tucker over the last week. Add those additions to the ascendance of outfielder Jake Meyers and Diaz has been the odd man out recently. Diaz can play all over the field but may not be able to see everyday at-bats to be fantasy viable moving forward.

Houston Astros left fielder Aledmys Diaz went 1-for-5 in the Astros 6-5 victory over the Royals on Wednesday afternoon. Diaz extended his hit streak to six games and continues his torrid stretch of offense in the month of August. Over his last 87 at-bats, Diaz is slashing .310/.341/.402 with six extra-base hits and 12 runs batted in. With the return of Alex Bregman, Diaz now finds himself in the outfield. If he can remain hot (.330 batting average since the All-Star break), Diaz should remain an everyday option for the Astros.

Houston Astros third baseman Aledmys Diaz will head into this weekend's action enjoying his best offensive month of the season. Diaz had his eight-game hitting streak snapped on Tuesday but went 3-for-5 Thursday against the Royals, one of those hits coming in extra innings proved to be the game-winner. Diaz has hits in 12 of the 16 games he has played in August this season and is slashing .308/.338/.415 with 10 runs batted in during that span. Diaz' value is on the rise and is slashing .333/.364/.548 since the All-Star break with 10 extra-base hits, 11 runs scored and 18 runs batted in over his last 84 at-bats.

Houston Astros infielder Aledmys Diaz will head into this week's action playing some of the best offensive baseball of his season. Diaz currently is enjoying a seven-game hitting streak and is 12-for-28 (.429) with six runs batted in during that span. Diaz could provide fantastic DFS sleeper value as the team takes on the Royals in Kansas City beginning Monday night. The 31-year-old has been fantastic offensively on the road this season, slashing .359/.392/.609 with five home runs, eight doubles and 21 runs batted in through 24 games away from Minute Maid Park.

Houston Astros third baseman Aledmys Diaz went 3-for-3 with one walk, one double and three runs batted in as the Astros took care of the Rockies 5-1 on Wednesday. Diaz was clutch the entire game, singling home runs in his first two at-bat and then adding an RBI-double in the eighth inning. Diaz is enjoying a mini-hot streak, going 8-for-16 (.500) over his last four games with three doubles and six runs batted in. The 31-year-old should continue to see regular playing time around the infield with star third baseman Alex Bregman still on the injured list.

Houston Astros infielder Aledmys Diaz has returned from a hand injury swinging a hot bat heading into Tuesday's action. Diaz has been on the shelf since June 5 but is 9-for-23 (.391) with two doubles, two home runs, six runs scored and eight runs batted in through five games into his return. Diaz has only 138 at-bats under his belt this season but takes a healthy .297/.353/.507 line into the team's matchup against the Dodgers. Diaz could be useful in AL-only leagues or deeper formats in the coming games.

NEW YORK (AP) — Austin Riley hit a grand slam and a two-run homer to set a career high with six RBIs, powering the Atlanta Braves to a 12-5 rout of the New York Mets on Tuesday night. Ozzie Albies and Abraham Almonte also had two-run homers for the Braves, who have won two of the first three in a five-game series as they chase the first-place Mets in the NL East. Dansby Swanson delivered a two-run double in the first inning to get Atlanta started. Charlie Morton (10-3) allowed three runs and five hits with five strikeouts over five innings. Mets spot starter Jerad Eickhoff (0-2) gave up 10 runs on seven hits and five walks in 3 1/3 innings. Jeff McNeil and Brandon Drury each hit a two-run homer for the Mets after they trailed 10-1 in the fourth. GIANTS 2, DODGERS 1 SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — Buster Posey scored the tiebreaking run on a throwing error by first baseman Cody Bellinger in the eighth inning, and San Francisco beat Los Angeles, increasing its lead over the Dodgers in the NL West to... [More]

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Clayton Kershaw yielded four hits over seven innings, Justin Turner homered and the Los Angeles Dodgers ended their three-game losing streak with an 8-0 victory over the Cincinnati Reds on Wednesday. Kershaw (4-2) struck out eight and walked one never allowing Cincinnati to get a runner to third base. Matt Beaty drove in two runs with a pinch single on his 28th birthday during a six-run eighth. Nick Senzel matched his career high with four hits as the Reds were shut out for the fourth time. Sonny Gray (0-2) pitched four-hit ball into the sixth while striking out 11 and allowing four hits and three walks. CARDINALS 5, PHILLIES 3 ST. LOUIS (AP) — Andrew McCutchen returned to the lineup and drove in the go-ahead run, helping Philadelphia beat St. Louis after Bryce Harper was hit in the face by a pitch. Harper left the game in the sixth inning after getting hit in his left cheek on a 96.9 mph fastball from left-handed reliever Génesis Cabrera (0-1). Cabrera hit the next batter,... [More]

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Clayton Kershaw yielded four hits over seven innings, Justin Turner homered and the Los Angeles Dodgers ended their three-game losing streak with an 8-0 victory over the Cincinnati Reds on Wednesday. Kershaw (4-2) struck out eight and walked one never allowing Cincinnati to get a runner to third base. Matt Beaty drove in two runs with a pinch single on his 28th birthday during a six-run eighth. Nick Senzel matched his career high with four hits as the Reds were shut out for the fourth time. Sonny Gray (0-2) pitched four-hit ball into the sixth while striking out 11 and allowing four hits and three walks. CARDINALS 5, PHILLIES 3 ST. LOUIS (AP) — Andrew McCutchen returned to the lineup and drove in the go-ahead run, helping Philadelphia beat St. Louis after Bryce Harper was hit in the face by a pitch. Harper left the game in the sixth inning after getting hit in his left cheek on a 96.9 mph fastball from left-handed reliever Génesis Cabrera (0-1). Cabrera hit the next batter,... [More]

SAN DIEGO (AP) — The Houston Astros spent this odyssey of a season as baseball's biggest villains. When Aledmys Diaz flied out with a runner on first to end Game 7 of the AL Championship Series, the bad guys finally lost. Ridiculed, roasted and ripped all year long after the revelation of the franchise's sign-stealing tactics in previous seasons, the Astros still summoned enough October heart and poise to reach the brink of another World Series. Manager Dusty Baker's club even came agonizingly close to matching the biggest playoff comeback in baseball history in a wild ALCS. “The legacy of this group is that these guys are ballplayers, and these guys are men," said Baker, who took over the team in January. “They’ve been through a whole bunch other than on the ballfield, and these guys can forget whatever problems that they’ve had that’s out there and come together as a group. These guys will be forever friends.” Houston fell behind early and never caught up in a 4-2 loss to Tampa Bay in... [More]

SAN DIEGO (AP) — The Houston Astros spent this odyssey of a season as baseball's biggest villains. When Aledmys Diaz flied out with a runner on first to end Game 7 of the AL Championship Series, the bad guys finally lost. Ridiculed, roasted and ripped all year long, the Astros still summoned enough October heart and poise to reach the brink of another World Series. Manager Dusty Baker's club even came agonizingly close to matching the biggest playoff comeback in baseball history in a wild ALCS. Although they couldn't quite conjure one more incredible postseason feat, this playoff run should be a source of pride for these Astros long after the boos stop. Although if fans are allowed back in most stadiums in 2021, this tarnished franchise probably won't hear the end of 2020 anytime soon. Houston fell behind early and never caught up in a 4-2 loss to Tampa Bay in Game 7 on Saturday night, coming up short of an astonishing series comeback after three consecutive victories. After winning two... [More]

ST. LOUIS (AP) — Harrison Bader tripled and homered to help the St. Louis Cardinals clinch a postseason berth on the final day of the regular season with a 5-2 win over Milwaukee, and the Brewers also earned a playoff spot Sunday via help on the West Coast moments later. St. Louis (30-28) will be the fifth seed in the NL and open a three-game wild-card series at San Diego on Wednesday. By winning, the Cardinals avoided having to travel to Detroit for two makeup games Monday. The Brewers (29-31) locked up the eighth seed and a third consecutive postseason berth after the Padres beat San Francisco 5-4 in a game that ended about 15 minutes later. The Giants finished with an identical record as the Brewers but lost out on a tiebreaker due to an inferior intradivision record. Milwaukee will face the top-seeded Dodgers in Los Angeles in a three-game series that also starts Wednesday. The Brewers haven’t had a winning record at any point this season. Milwaukee and Houston will be the first teams... [More]

Astros first. George Springer doubles to shallow left field. Alex Bregman flies out to left field to AJ Pollock. Michael Brantley grounds out to shallow center field, Kike Hernandez to Cody Bellinger. George Springer to third. Yuli Gurriel singles to shallow center field. George Springer scores. Kyle Tucker strikes out on a foul tip.1 run, 2 hits, 0 errors, 1 left on. Astros 1, Dodgers 0.Dodgers second. Max Muncy strikes out on a foul tip. Will Smith singles to left field. Cody Bellinger flies out to deep left field to Michael Brantley. Chris Taylor homers to right field. Will Smith scores. Kike Hernandez homers to right field. Gavin Lux flies out to left field to Michael Brantley.3 runs, 3 hits, 0 errors, 0 left on. Dodgers 3, Astros 1.Dodgers third. Mookie Betts strikes out swinging. Corey Seager triples to deep center field. AJ Pollock out on a sacrifice fly to deep right field to Josh Reddick. Corey Seager scores. Max Muncy grounds out to second base, Carlos Correa to Yuli Gurriel.1... [More]

Astros sixth. Josh Reddick doubles to shallow right field. Aledmys Diaz singles to center field. Josh Reddick to third. Martin Maldonado grounds out to second base. Aledmys Diaz out at second. Josh Reddick scores. George Springer strikes out swinging.1 run, 2 hits, 0 errors, 0 left on. Astros 1, Athletics 0.Athletics sixth. Tommy La Stella lines out to deep right field to Josh Reddick. Marcus Semien grounds out to shallow infield, Carlos Correa to Yuli Gurriel. Ramon Laureano walks. Matt Olson homers to right field. Ramon Laureano scores. Robbie Grossman flies out to left center field to Michael Brantley.2 runs, 1 hit, 0 errors, 0 left on. Athletics 2, Astros 1.Athletics seventh. Mark Canha walks. Vimael Machin grounds out to shallow infield, Alex Bregman to Yuli Gurriel. Chad Pinder singles to center field. Mark Canha scores. Jonah Heim lines out to right field to Josh Reddick. Tommy La Stella walks. Chad Pinder to second. Marcus Semien walks. Tommy La Stella to second. Chad Pinder to third. Ramon Laureano pops out to shallow center field to Aledmys Diaz.1 run, 1 hit, 0 errors, 3 left on. Athletics 3, Astros 1.

Astros first. George Springer homers to center field. Aledmys Diaz strikes out swinging. Michael Brantley grounds out to shallow infield, Tony Kemp to Matt Olson. Yuli Gurriel flies out to deep right field to Mark Canha.1 run, 1 hit, 0 errors, 0 left on. Astros 1, Athletics 0.Astros sixth. Aledmys Diaz lines out to deep center field to Ramon Laureano. Michael Brantley strikes out swinging. Yuli Gurriel homers to center field. Kyle Tucker flies out to left field to Robbie Grossman.1 run, 1 hit, 0 errors, 0 left on. Astros 2, Athletics 0.Athletics seventh. Mark Canha pops out to Yuli Gurriel. Vimael Machin walks. Sean Murphy walks. Vimael Machin to second. Tony Kemp pops out to Jack Mayfield. Tommy La Stella doubles. Sean Murphy scores. Vimael Machin scores. Marcus Semien walks. Ramon Laureano strikes out swinging.2 runs, 1 hit, 0 errors, 2 left on. Astros 2, Athletics 2.Athletics ninth. Sean Murphy walks. Tony Kemp hit by pitch. Stephen Piscotty to second. Tommy La Stella reaches on a fielder's choice to shortstop. Tony Kemp out at second. Stephen Piscotty to third. Marcus Semien reaches on a fielder's choice to second base. Tommy La Stella to second. Stephen Piscotty out at home. Ramon Laureano singles to deep center field. Marcus Semien to second. Tommy La Stella scores.1 run, 1 hit, 0 errors, 2 left on. Athletics 3, Astros 2.

Athletics third. Vimael Machin singles to left center field. Jonah Heim pops out to shallow left field to Carlos Correa. Tommy La Stella singles to deep right center field. Vimael Machin to third. Tony Kemp out on a sacrifice fly to deep right field to Kyle Tucker. Vimael Machin scores. Ramon Laureano singles to center field. Tommy La Stella to third. Matt Olson homers to center field. Ramon Laureano scores. Tommy La Stella scores. Robbie Grossman walks. Khris Davis pops out to first base to Yuli Gurriel.4 runs, 4 hits, 0 errors, 1 left on. Athletics 4, Astros 0.Astros fourth. Myles Straw singles to shortstop. Michael Brantley singles to left field. Myles Straw to second. Yuli Gurriel flies out to deep center field to Ramon Laureano. Myles Straw to third. Kyle Tucker walks. Michael Brantley to second. Carlos Correa hit by pitch. Kyle Tucker to second. Michael Brantley to third. Myles Straw scores. Aledmys Diaz lines out to center field to Ramon Laureano. Abraham Toro walks. Carlos Correa... [More]

Athletics second. Robbie Grossman singles to left field. Stephen Piscotty strikes out swinging. Tony Kemp doubles to deep right field. Robbie Grossman scores. Sean Murphy homers to center field. Vimael Machin walks. Tommy La Stella flies out to Kyle Tucker.2 runs, 3 hits, 0 errors, 1 left on. Athletics 2, Astros 0.Athletics seventh. Sean Murphy walks. Vimael Machin strikes out swinging. Tommy La Stella singles to right center field. Sean Murphy to third. Ramon Laureano out on a sacrifice fly to Kyle Tucker. Sean Murphy scores. Mark Canha grounds out to third base, Abraham Toro to Yuli Gurriel.1 run, 1 hit, 0 errors, 1 left on. Athletics 3, Astros 0.Athletics eighth. Matt Olson walks. Robbie Grossman grounds out to shallow right field, Aledmys Diaz to Yuli Gurriel. Matt Olson to second. Stephen Piscotty singles to shallow center field. Matt Olson scores. Chad Pinder doubles to left field. Stephen Piscotty to third. Sean Murphy singles to second base. Chad Pinder scores. Stephen Piscotty scores. Vimael Machin walks. Sean Murphy to second. Tommy La Stella lines out to deep center field to George Springer. Ramon Laureano flies out to deep right field to Kyle Tucker.3 runs, 3 hits, 0 errors, 2 left on. Athletics 6, Astros 0.