MLB Player News

Valencia suffered a left hamstring strain during the fourth inning of Wednesday's game against the Yankees, Jane Lee of MLB.com reports.

Valencia was removed after a rough slide into the plate for the inning's last out. It's unclear how serious his hamstring injury is, so it remains to be seen if he will be ready for the A's next game Thursday in New York.

Valencia was removed from Wednesday's game in the middle of the fourth inning, Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.

The reason for Valencia's removal is not immediately clear, but he was involved in an inning-ending play at the plate in the fourth inning. Expect an update on Valencia's status when more news becomes available.

Moncada, who received a day off Wednesday, is hitting .357/.509/.524 with 13 stolen bases through 12 games at High-A Salem this season.

He's also been caught stealing four times, but the combination of Moncada's speed, batting eye, and hit tool has immediately made him a force in the Carolina League. With just 81 games under his belt at Low-A last season, it will be interesting to see how aggressive the Red Sox are with an eventual move to Double-A if he continues to post gaudy numbers through the first half of the minor league season.

Ramirez will lead off and play left field in Wednesday's game against the Mariners.

After getting Tuesday off in favor of Collin Cowgill, Ramirez slots back in ahead of Marlon Byrd in field field. Ramirez has taken to the outfield quickly and the Indians could certainly use his bat in the lineup, as he's slashed .300/.323/.467 in eight games this season.

Machado went 2-for-4 with a double and a home run in Tuesday's loss to the Blue Jays.

Machado's hitting .392/.436/.784 through his first 51 at-bats. This is particularly encouraging because of the slow start he got off to last April when the third baseman hit .254/.325/.479. The 23-year-old is already among the game's elite, and Machado is only going to continue improving.

Ramirez is not in the lineup for Tuesday's game against the Mariners.

Ramirez has been solid for the Indians early on, hitting .300/.323/.467 with one home run, three RBI, and five runs scored through eight games. Colin Cowgill will get the start on Ramirez's day off.

Plouffe (intercostal strain) has been placed on the 15-day disabled list, retroactive to April 18, Cold Omaha's Brandon Warne reports.

Plouffe was diagnosed with a right intercostal strain shortly after being removed from Sunday's game against the Angels. Though initially considered day-to-day, he'll now be out until at least May 3. Jorge Polanco was called up from Triple-A Rochester for the corresponding transaction, but Eduardo Nunez figures to get most of the playing time at third base. Although he could play the hot corner in a pinch, Miguel Sano will remain in the outfield.

General manager Terry Ryan said that Plouffe (ribs) will "more than likely" be placed on the disabled list following Monday's game against the Brewers, Mike Berardino of the St. Paul Pioneer Press reports.

Plouffe was removed from Sunday's contest and eventually diagnosed with a right intercostal strain. In the aftermath of the game, he revealed that he'd been tending to the injury for awhile, so the Twins may be leaning toward giving the third baseman a rest, likely of the 15-day variety. In his stead Monday, Eduardo Nunez covered the hot corner, though Eduardo Escobar is also a candidate to fill in at the position.

Plouffe (ribs) is out of the lineup Monday against the Brewers, Rhett Bollinger of MLB.com reports.

Plouffe was diagnosed with a right intercostal strain Sunday, and it appears the issue is still lingering enough to warrant another off-day for the third baseman. It's unclear how much longer he'll stay out of the lineup, but that should become clearer within the next few days. Eduardo Nunez will man the hot corner and bat leadoff in his stead Monday.

Bregman was named Texas League Player of the Week after hitting .400 (16-for-40) with five home runs, 13 RBI and a stolen base in his first 10 games with Double-A Corpus Christi.

Bregman's fantasy appeal in dynasty leagues isn't as high as it should be due to Carlos Correa blocking him in Houston, but his performance last week should remind owners of his true value. The second overall pick of the 2015 draft has already exceeded his home run total from 66 games in A-ball last season.