MLB Player News

Valencia went 2-for-4 with an RBI double in Sunday's 8-7 win over the Rangers.

Valencia brought the Mariners within one with a run-scoring two-bagger in the sixth that plated Kyle Seager, his second straight game with an extra-base hit. The modest accomplishment is nevertheless notable in Valencia's case, considering how extensive his struggles at the plate have been thus far this season. The veteran infielder is still hitting just .174, but the pop he's demonstrated in the last two games could be a sign that his bat is finally starting to come around.

Valencia went 1-for-4 with at triple in Saturday's 5-0 win over the Rangers.

Valencia blasted only his second extra-base hit of the season off Rangers starter Andrew Cashner, but his average still sits under the Mendoza Line at .196. The veteran infielder has been particularly valued for his ability to punish southpaws throughout his career, but he's been inept against either handedness thus far this season while in an everyday role at first base. The 32-year-old has also yet to go deep in 2017 despite having hit a combined 35 home runs in part-time duty with the Athletics and Blue Jays the last two seasons. Despite the forgettable start to the season, Valencia's established track record, which includes a career .269 average, would seem to indicate that a bounce-back is eventually in the cards.

Plouffe went 1-for-3 with a solo home run and two walks in Saturday's 10-6 loss to the Astros.

Plouffe launched a monster 432-foot shot left in the fifth, the first of two round-trippers in the frame for the A's. Both of the veteran third baseman's homers on the season have come in the last two games, and he notably operated out of the two-hole Saturday. He's now hit safely in four straight, and five of his last six overall.

Asche is out of the lineup Sunday against the Twins, Daryl Van Schouwen of the Chicago Sun-Times reports.

White Sox manager Rick Renteria is rolling out an exclusively right-handed lineup Sunday to counter Twins southpaw Hector Santiago, leaving no room for the lefty-hitting Asche. The absence of Asche allows Yolmer Sanchez to pick up a rare start at designated hitter.

Moustakas is out of the lineup Sunday against the Angels.

Moustakas has started six games in a row, so it was likely time for a routine maintenance day. Cheslor Cuthbert will man the hot corner in his stead.

Ramirez went 4-for-4 with two home runs, a walk, three runs and six RBI Saturday against the Tigers.

Ramirez blasted a three-run homer in the first inning, but it was his second three-run blast in the eighth inning that put the game out of reach for the Indians in a winning effort. After a bit of a slow start to begin the season, he's now collected nine hits over his last three games to raise his batting average to .341, and he's quickly resembling the breakout player we saw in 2016.

Plouffe is manning third base and batting second for Saturday's game against the Astros.

Manager Bob Melvin is trying to shake things up in a struggling A's lineup and Plouffe's three-game hitting streak appears to have warranted a chance for more at-bats. The veteran third baseman still has a .194 average to begin the season, a statistic that should continue to improve with time.

Asche is batting fifth and starting at first base Saturday against the Twins.

It will be his first career start at first base and allows Jose Abreu to get a day off from playing in the field as he shifts to the DH. Asche has two hits and eight strikeouts in 20 at-bats this season, but continues to receive plenty of opportunities in the starting lineup as the season gets underway.

Plouffe went 1-for-4 with a solo home run in a 7-2 loss to the Astros on Friday.

The veteran third baseman launched his first home run of the season in the ninth, a modest bright spot in an otherwise dismal game -- and start to the season -- for the offseason acquisition. Plouffe went down on strikes in his three other at-bats Friday, and even with the round-tripper, his batting average is just .194.

Escobar is starting at second base and batting sixth Saturday against the White Sox.

Escobar will fill in for Brian Dozier, who is out with mild knee soreness. The switch-hitter is 4-for-14 in limited playing time this season and just 4-for-23 against White Sox starter Jose Quintana. Nevertheless, the unexpected playing time provides Escobar a nice opportunity to get some exposure.