MLB Player News

Alvarez is out of the lineup for Thursday's game against the Astros, Roch Kubatko of MASNsports.com reports.

Mark Trumbo will get the start at DH and Hyun-soo Kim will man left field, bumping Alvarez to the bench in this one. The 29-year-old is hitting just .194 with three home runs and 11 RBI on the season.

Moustakas was placed on the 15-day DL Thursday with a right ACL tear.

It is not clear if it is a complete or partial tear, and the team has not yet released a timetable for his return, but he is likely done for the season. Kyle Schwarber, for instance, suffered a fully torn ACL and LCL before the season and was then ruled out for all of 2016. Outfielder Brett Eibner was recalled from Triple-A as a corresponding move, but he won't be responsible for filling this massive void at third base. The Royals will likely turn to Cheslor Cuthbert and Whit Merrifield in the short term, but neither player offers much long term upside. Hunter Dozier, 24, is having a major breakout year in the upper levels of the minors, and is slashing .296/.324/521 with four homers in 17 games at Triple-A, so he could be a consideration later in the season. The Royals may also look to address their need at the hot corner via trade. Either way, it's probably safe to drop Moustakas in single-season leagues at this point.

Davis homered and drove in two runs in Double-A Corpus Christi's 7-4 victory over Arkansas on Tuesday.

Davis is swinging a hot bat right now as he's homered six times and driven in 14 runs in the past ten games. He's boosted his batting average from .226 to .270 during that time and is now sitting at a healthy .335 OBP. Double-A is the highest level the 23-year-old has played at thus far but if he keeps batting the way he has been lately, it likely won't be long before he finds himself moving further up in Houston's farm system.

Muncy was optioned to Triple-A Nashville on Wednesday.

Muncy got just two starts during his stint with the A's, going 2-for-5 with a walk and a strikeout. He'll head back to Nashville for more regular playing time while Jed Lowrie will reclaim his spot on the active roster.

Moustakas (knee) is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against Minnesota, and according to MLB.com's Jeffrey Flanagan, he will be examined by team doctors Thursday in Kansas City.

Per Flanagan, Moustakas was able to take some swings Wednesday, but he reported some discomfort when he tried to move laterally. He'll get the day off yet again Wednesday while Chelsor Cuthbert makes another start at the hot corner, batting seventh in the order. Thursday's visit with team doctors ought to provide a clearer picture for when Moustakas can be expected to return.

Plouffe is not in the lineup Wednesday against the Royals, Tom Schreier of Cold Omaha reports.

Plouffe will take a seat Wednesday as the Twins go with Eduardo Nunez at third base and Brian Dozier at second. Nunez will serve as the leadoff man against Kansas City's Dillon Gee.

Escobar went 3-for-4 with a double and an RBI in Tuesday's 7-4 loss to the Royals.

Escobar has delivered two strong games in a row since his return from the DL. He's notched five hits in eight at-bats while making back-to-back starts at shortstop.

Ramirez walked twice, stole a base and scored a pair of runs in Tuesday's 6-2 win over the White Sox.

One of Ramirez's two walks came after a 10-pitch at-bat, which seemed to tire out White Sox ace Chris Sale and ultimately led to his demise. Ramirez has earned steady at-bats of late while primarily filling in for Michael Brantley in the corner outfield, but his ability to play multiple spots across the field should continue to garner him around two or three starts per week even once Brantley is healthy.

Alvarez hit his third home run, a solo shot, and walked in a 1-for-5 game Tuesday against the Astros.

Alvarez is a pure power hitter and the power just hasn't been there this season. He was mired in a 4-for-26 slump in the nine games since his last home run May 8, and he's hitting just .191/.300/.351. As much as he needed Tuesday's home run, he also struck out three more times and now has 24 strikeouts in just 94 at-bats this year.

Moustakas is not in Tuesday's lineup against the Twins, Rustin Dodd of the Kansas City Star reports.

As expected, Moustakas is out of the lineup while he rehabs from a knee contusion, and there's a chance he will be out for a few more games as he will try to get back at full strength. Cheslor Cuthbert will start at third base in his place.