MLB Player News

Duffy went 2-for-4 with a double in Thursday's 2-1 victory over the Red Sox, bringing his line to date in a Rays uniform to .357/.386/.381.

The recently acquired shortstop, who'd endured a sluggish campaign before his trade deadline move from the Giants, has found new life at the plate in Tampa. Duffy has now raised his average 18 points since his Aug. 12 debut in a Rays uniform, going 15-for-42 over that span. While there hasn't been much impactful contact-- as evidenced by the fact that his Thursday two-bagger was the first extra-base hit of his Rays tenure-- Duffy is certainly making meaningful contributions in an offense that has often been starved for production this season.

Donaldson went 1-for-5 with a solo homer in Thursday's game against the Angels.

Donaldson's fifth-inning blast was his 29th of the season, and his first since Aug. 13. Despite hitting safely in 16 of 20 games this month, the third baseman has actually seen his batting average drop a bit since the beginning of August. In addition, Donaldson's K:BB ratio in August is his worst month since May. On the bright side, the reigning AL MVP is riding a small four-game hitting streak in which he's amassed five RBI and scored three runs.

Alvarez is out of the lineup Thursday against the Nationals.

Alvarez was held out of Wednesday's contest as well, as the Orioles are without the DH spot playing in an NL ballpark, but he worked his way into the game as a pinch hitter. The 29-year-old will likely be available in a similar capacity again Thursday and should return to the lineup Friday when the team resumes AL play.

Longoria went 1-for-5 with a game-tying solo homer, his 30th, in Wednesday's 4-3 extra-inning victory over the Red Sox.

The slugging third baseman's 436-foot shot in the eighth was crucial to the eventual victory, as it knotted up the score at 3-3. Longoria's renaissance season now includes his first 30-homer tally since 2013, and fourth overall of his career. The 30-year-old also has three round-trippers over his last five games and seven overall in August.

Machado went 4-for-6 with a home run, four RBI and scored twice in Wednesday's game against the Nationals.

Machado's two-run blast in the top of the first inning Wednesday was his 29th of the year and his seventh in August, matching April for his highest total in a month this season. The 24-year-old third baseman has hit safely in 19 of his last 22 contests, including a current seven-game streak. Machado is now on pace to surpass last season's career-high 35 home runs.

Alvarez is not in the lineup Wednesday against the Nationals, Roch Kubatko of MASN Sports reports.

After two games against the Nationals in Baltimore, the Orioles head to Washington for two games in a National League park and thus lose the DH spot Wednesday and Thursday. Alvarez will sit for the first game and could be held out again until the team returns to an AL stadium Friday against the Yankees.

Valencia is in the lineup Tuesday against the Indians.

As expected, Valencia is back in Oakland's lineup after sitting out their last two games. He'll start in right field and bat third for the A's matchup against Danny Salazar and the Indians.

Duffy is out of the lineup Tuesday against the Red Sox, Bill Chastain of MLB.com reports.

The Rays will opt to give Duffy the night off and start Tim Beckham at shortstop for their contest against Clay Buchholz and the Red Sox. Duffy, who's hitting just .262 for the year, has had success at the plate lately and is 7-for-20 (.350) over the last seven games.

Longoria provided all the offense for the Rays on Monday, connecting on a two-run home run in a loss to the Red Sox.

Longoria has been a force at the plate this month, collecting 20 RBI with six home runs and 13 runs scored in August. The third baseman is enjoying his best season since 2013, having already posted more home runs and RBI than he did a season ago, with the highest batting average he's had since 2010.

Valencia is set to return to the lineup Tuesday against Cleveland, Jane Lee of MLB.com reports.

Before sitting out Oakland's last two games, Valencia had been putting on a show at the plate. Over the previous seven games, Valencia posted a .462/.500/.654 line with one home run, two doubles, and four runs. He'll look to continue his dominance Tuesday when the A's go up against Danny Salazar and the Indians.