MLB Player News

Indians third baseman Giovanny Urshela is out of the lineup Saturday against the White Sox.

Urshela is sitting for the second consecutive night, as manager Terry Francona has elected to give Chris Johnson the start at third base. The rookie has had a tough go in his first exposure to the majors, posting an on-base percentage of .278 and providing only 14 extra-base hits in 257 at-bats. He could lose more time to Johnson and Jose Ramirez at the hot corner over the final two weeks of the regular season.

Athletics third baseman Danny Valencia had a monstrous game on Friday, as he went 3 for 3 with two homers, a walk, and three RBI in a 4-3 win over the Astros.

It was shocking to see the Blue Jays designate Valencia for assignment in early August, so the A's came in and swooped him for the future. Valencia has put together a very nice season, as he has a .288 average to go along with 16 homers and 60 RBI in just 295 at-bats. Most fantasy circles think of Valencia as a lefty-killer, but he actually has better numbers off righties this season and he's shown his versatility all season long.

Athletics third baseman Danny Valencia has overcome a shoulder issue and is back in action Thursday as the cleanup hitter against the White Sox, per Doug Padilla of ESPN Chicago.

Valencia missed two games with issue, but has claimed an advantageous spot in Oakland's lineup.

He had a really nice month or so, but his career numbers suggest he is better suited for the short side of a platoon. It would not be surprising if he regressed over the final two weeks of the season.

White Sox third baseman Mike Olt went 1 for 4 with a two-run homer -- his first of the year -- in Wednesday's win over the A's.

The White Sox said Olt would receive the lion's share of playing time at third base in the season's final weeks, and they have remained true to their word. Olt has started every game but one since he joined the roster earlier in the month, but Wednesday's long ball was his first since joining the organization. He should continue to be the favorite to start as the season winds down.

Royals third baseman Mike Moustakas went 1 for 4 with a solo home run in a 5-1 loss to the Indians on Wednesday.

Moustakas was in a bit of a slump after the All-Star break, but he's been hot as of late. Over his last 22 games, Moustakas has eight homers with 28 RBI.

It's been a breakout season for Moustakas and if it weren't for the incredible depth at third base in baseball right now, his great season would be much more publicized.

Athletics third baseman Danny Valencia (shoulder) remains out of the lineup Wednesday against the White Sox. 

Stiffness in Valencia's trapezius muscle resulted in the 30-year-old's scratch from Tuesday's lineup, and he'll be forced to sit again Wednesday.

Brett Lawrie will start again at third base, but look for Valencia to push Lawrie back to the keystone once healthy, while likely also returning to the cleanup spot in the batting order.

Orioles 3B Manny Machado was 2 for 5 with a solo homer, a walk and two runs scored in Tuesday's 6-5 victory over the Red Sox. 

Machado continues to add to his banner 2015 and is likely just tapping into his considerable potential. Tuesday's effort was already his fourth multi-hit outing of September, and he has now reached base safely by hit or walk in 14 consecutive contests dating back to Aug. 31.

Machado continues on pace to close out the season with career-best numbers in every major offensive category.

Athletics infielder/outfielder Danny Valencia has been scratched from Tuesday's starting lineup.

Max Muncy is now slated to play third base against Jeff Samardzija and the White Sox, with Mark Canha at first base and Jake Smolinski in left.

Valencia was scratched Tuesday with a stiff trap muscle, MLB.com's Jane Lee reports. No explanation was originally provided regarding why Valencia was scratched, and this doesn't seem like something that will keep Valencia out for long.

Easily the best season for Royals third baseman Mike Moustakas now has easily his best game.

Moustakas singled in two runs in the sixth inning to whet his appetite, blasted a grand slam in the seventh and put the cherry on top with a three-run dinger in the ninth to set a franchise record with nine RBI in a game.

The huge performance lifts his slugging percentage to .460, its highest point since June 29.

Third baseman Trevor Plouffe gave the Twins a pair of leads aginst the White Sox on Friday. Plouffe went 3 for 5 with three RBI, two runs scored and two home runs, as the Twins beat the White Sox 6-2.

Plouffe blasted a solo shot in the fourth inning to give the Twins a 1-0 lead. Then, with the score tied 2-2, he launched another solo homer in the eighth inning to put the Twins back on top for good.

Plouffe's first multi-home run game of the season gives him a total of 20 big flies on the season.