MLB Player News

Alvarez is not in the lineup Monday against the Rangers, Eddie Encina of the Baltimore Sun reports.

Alvarez had served as the DH for the previous three games, but he'll be replaced Monday by Mark Trumbo, who slides over from right field. Joey Rickard will get the nod in right while Adam Jones and Nolan Reimold start in center and left, respectively.

Moncada has been promoted from High-A Salem to Double-A Portland, the Alex Speier of the Boston Globe reports.

Moncada earned his promotion with a slash line of .307/.427/.496, adding four homers and 36 steals (in 44 attempts) in 61 games at Salem. The 21-year-old has lived up to his status as Boston's top prospect during what has been a developmentally ideal first half of the season. After busting out a .964 OPS through the first 38 games, the league caught up with him for a two-week stretch (.483 OPS) before he adjusted with 12 doubles and a homer in the last 13 games (1.155 OPS). The organization has been pleased with with his work to improve his defensive fundamentals and consistency at second base, the position he will continue to play in Portland.

Escobar is starting at shortstop and batting sixth in the order Sunday against the Yankees, Mike Berardino of the St. Paul Pioneer Press reports.

With five hits, including two homers over the last two games, Escobar will earn another starting nod Sunday. The return of Danny Santana from the DL will hurt Escobar's chances of remaining a regular in the lineup, but so long as he's hitting well, Escobar could be guaranteed frequent at-bats.

Escobar went 2-for-4 with a solo homer and two RBI in Saturday's 7-6 loss to the Yankees.

The 27-year-old put together his second straight multi-hit game, and homered for the second consecutive contest as well. Escobar took closer Arnoldis Chapman deep in the ninth, raising his monthly average to .375 (9-for-24). His standout June has raised his season average 28 points to .272.

Machado dropped his appeal and will begin serving his four-game suspension Sunday, Eduardo A. Encina of the Baltimore Sun reports.

With J.J. Hardy (foot) now back in the lineup, the Orioles will likely look to Pedro Alvarez and Ryan Flaherty to man third base during Machado's absence. Baltimore is off Thursday, so Machado won't return until Friday against the Rays.

Plouffe is not in the lineup Saturday against the Yankees, LaVelle Neal of the Star Tribune reports.

Plouffe will get a rare day off Saturday as the Twins go with Eduardo Nunez at third base in his stead. Expect Plouffe, who started the previous 11 games, to return to the field Sunday as Minnesota closes out the four-game set.

Donaldson went 3-for-4 with a triple, solo homer, three RBI, a walk and three runs in Friday's 13-3 victory over the Orioles.

Although he was naturally overshadowed by teammate Michael Saunders' three-homer night, Donaldson is stroking a bat as hot as the latter's. He extended his hitting streak to 10 games with his fourth consecutive multi-hit effort, and is just one homer short of matching his total for all of May. The 30-year-old slugger now has round-trippers in three of his last four games, and is hitting .373 (19-for-51) with four doubles, three triples, four homers and 17 RBI over 47 at-bats in June.

Escobar started at shortstop and went 3-for-4 with his first home run of the season in Friday's loss to the Yankees.

Escobar is hitting .326 (15-for-46) since returning from the disabled list May 23. However, he's having a hard time finding consistent playing time due to Eduardo Nunez's hot season. Escobar has started just four of the last 15 games.

Alvarez is in the lineup, batting sixth at DH against Toronto on Friday.

Alvarez is retuning to the Orioles' lineup after sitting the last three games, making his 33rd start at DH this season. The 29-year-old is swinging a hot bat right now, homering twice in his last two starts while collecting three runs and three RBI.

Longoria (forearm) is back in the lineup playing third base and hitting third Friday against the Giants, the Tampa Tribune's Roger Mooney reports.

There aren't a lot of details available regarding the nature of Longoria's forearm discomfort, but it's possible there could be lingering issues that he attempts to play through. Nonetheless, he should be deployed as usual in most formats now that he's back in the mix.