MLB Player News

Valencia is in the lineup Friday against Cincinnati, playing third base and batting fourth.

Valencia missed the last two games with a flu-like symptoms but is now good to go for Friday's series opener. Before going down with the virus, the 31-year-old was on a roll, recording five multi-hit games in his last eight along with three homers, 10 runs, and five RBI.

Alvarez is not in the lineup for Friday's dual with Toronto.

Alvarez will get the night off with the Orioles starting Chris Davis at first base and placing Mark Trumbo at DH. After a slow start to the season, the 29-year-old is picking it up as he's hit .333 over his last eight games to go along with three homers and six RBI. He'll likely return to the Orioles' lineup Saturday and will look to distance his average further above the Mendoza Line.

Muncy was recalled from Triple-A Nashville on Friday.

With Muncy returning to the show, Jesse Hahn will be optioned to Triple-A Nashville. Danny Valencia (illness) is temporarily out, so Muncy could spend some time at third base, but he's also played first base and filled the designated hitter spot. He's only made six plate appearances with the Athletics in 2016, going 2-for-5 and drawing a walk.

Alvarez went 2-for-4 with a solo homer and a pair of strikeouts Thursday in a 6-5 win over Toronto.

He's doubled his season homer total since the calendar turned to June, hitting three long balls in eight games after socking just three in his first 35 contests. That said, Alvarez remains a major batting-average drain, and with his power contributions inconsistent, it's hard to roll him out in shallower mixed leagues.

Ramirez (ankle) is back in the lineup for Thursday's game against the Mariners.

An ankle contusion kept Ramirez out of the lineup Wednesday, but he'll be back in the fold for the Indians' series finale against Seattle on Thursday. He's set to take over at third base and bat fifth in the order against Seattle righty Nate Karns.

Machado was issued a four-game suspension and a fine Thursday for his role in Tuesday's brawl, Bob Nightengale of USA Today reports.

Machado is expected to appeal the suspension after being ejected from Tuesday's game, and is in the lineup for Thursday's game against the Blue Jays. During the incident, he charged the mound immediately after being hit by a Yordano Ventura fastball in the fifth inning and proceeded to land a punch on Ventura. Machado was in the lineup Wednesday for the series finale against the Royals and went 0-for-4 with two strikeouts.

Moncada has been chosen to represent High-A Salem in the Carolina League All-Star game, MiLB.com reports.

Moncada, the consensus No. 1 prospect in Boston's organization, is hitting .299 in 55 games for Salem. He leads the Carolina League in double (21), walks (40), on-base percentage (.421) and stolen bases (34).

Plouffe went 2-for-4 with his fourth home run in Wednesday's win over Miami.

Plouffe may finally be heating up at the plate after a slow start (.246 with a .642 OPS and four home runs in April and May) as he's 7-for-25 in June. It was his first home run since May 10.

Ramirez (left ankle contusion) was scratched from the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Mariners.

In his place, the Indians will start Michael Martinez at second base, batting ninth. Ramirez was on the Indians' original lineup card for Wednesday's game before being scratched hours before the contest. The bruised left ankle seems to be an isolated incident, but he did suffer an ankle sprain during winter ball season last December.

Donaldson went 3-for-4 with a three-run homer and three runs in a 7-2 victory over the Tigers on Wednesday.

This is the kind of game owners wanted from Donaldson, as he entered Wednesday hitless in his last 10 at-bats. The Blue Jays' third baseman was a single away from the cycle, and he scored all three times he reached base. He is slashing .255/.367/.518 with 14 homers, 33 RBI and 46 runs in 220 at-bats.