MLB Player News

Longoria (forearm) hopes to return to the starting lineup for Friday's series opener versus the Giants, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

The veteran third baseman was forced from Wednesday's game versus the Mariners early due to the discomfort he felt in his left forearm, and the ailment also caused him to sit out Thursday's series finale. Longoria also conceded that the same issue was the culprit behind him sitting out a game against the D-backs on June 7, but feels that the recent rest will facilitate a Friday return to the lineup. "It's really just when I check-swing it just gets sore," he said. "It's the same symptoms as it was last time. It feels pretty much identical. And it responded well the next day after that so that leads me to believe it will be hopefully the same thing."

Donaldson went 3-for-3 with a double, two walks and three runs in Thursday's 13-2 rout of the Phillies.

This season hasn't quite been a repeat of Donaldson's MVP-worthy 2015, but he's been ramping things up in a big way of late -- over the last nine games, Donaldson's gone 16-for-34 (.471) with three homers, two steals, 13 RBI and 14 runs. He also has more walks (eight) than strikeouts (six) in that span. In fact, Donaldson has raised his walk rate to a career-high 15.1 percent this year. The 30-year-old looks like he's destined to end up in that MVP conversation again after all.

Machado's suspension appeal will be heard Tuesday, Eduardo Encina of the Baltimore Sun reports.

With the appeal reportedly set for Tuesday, Machado will to be eligible to play through Baltimore's weekend series against Toronto. However, once his appeal has been heard, Machado may have to sit out for anywhere up to four games depending on the ruling. Shortstop J.J Hardy is currently on a rehab assignment and could return as soon as Friday, which would lessen the impact of Machado's absence. Still, Baltimore would likely have to lean on Pedro Alvarez or Ryan Flaherty at third base if Machado is to miss time.

Alvarez is not in the lineup for Thursday's game against the Red Sox, Roch Kubatko of MASN Sports reports.

Alvarez will now get his third straight day off after being held out of the lineup Tuesday and Wednesday. There are no reports that anything is amiss, and Baltimore will start Mark Trumbo at DH for the third consecutive day with Joey Rickard slotted into right field.

Longoria (forearm) is not in the lineup for Thursday's game against the Mariners, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Longoria says that he's truly day-to-day. He expects to be able to be available to pinch hit Thursday and be back in the lineup on Friday. Taylor Motter will step in at third base and bat seventh.

Longoria departed Thursday's game in the 13th inning due to left forearm tightness, Bill Chastain of MLB.com reports.

Fortunately, Longoria's forearm injury isn't on his throwing hand, which could have resulted in a long absence. The Rays get back at it Thursday against the Mariners, so it will be interesting to see if he is in the lineup for the contest. If not, Steve Pearce would be the likely candidate to start at third base.

Alvarez is not in Wednesday's lineup against the Red Sox, Roch Kubatko of MASN Sports reports.

Alvarez will get a second consecutive day off after being held out of the lineup Tuesday as well, though there's currently no indication of any physical issues. Mark Trumbo will get another turn as the club's DH in his place, batting fifth against Boston right-hander Steven Wright.

Longoria hit a three-run home run, his 16th, in a 1-for-4 game in Tuesday's win over the Mariners.

Longoria has two home runs in his past three games and four in his past seven as he continues to be Tampa Bay's biggest power threat. Only Manny Machado has a better slugging percentage than Longoria's .541 among American League third basemen. Longoria is striking out more than usual (23.3 percent), but the trade he has made of contact for power has worked out great -- he's on pace for his first 30 home run season since 2013.

Machado hit his 17th home run, a two-run shot, in a 1-for-4 game in Tuesday's win over the Red Sox.

Machado has four extra-base hits including two homers in his past three games as he continues to rake. His 17 home runs ties him with Trevor Story for the major league lead among shortstops, and his .606 slugging percentage leads the position as well. His power would still rank him near the top of his old position of third base, but at shortstop, where defense comes first, nobody is anywhere near as complete a slugger as Machado has shown thus far in 2016.

Donaldson went 3-for-4 with a grand slam, two doubles, three runs, five RBI and a walk Tuesday against the Phillies.

After doubling in a run in the second inning, Donaldson's 15th bomb of the year was a grand slam that gave the Blue Jays a nine-run lead in a blowout win. After a slow start to the month, he's now hit safely in his last seven games to raise his slash line to .263/.375/.535.