MLB Player News

Twins third baseman Trevor Plouffe was removed from Thursday's game against the A's due to a sore left wrist, the team announced. Plouffe was just 0 for 5 before exiting, giving him a .249/.302/.397 line with 14 home runs and 51 RBI in 446 at-bats.

Rays third baseman Evan Longoria drove in his 77th run of the season Monday night during a win over the Texas Rangers. Longoria went 3 for 4 in the game with a run scored.

Longoria singled for all three hits and his single in the fifth inning game Tampa Bay a 4-2 lead. He has recorded five multi-hit games in his last seven contests with four doubles and three RBI over that span.

Athletics third baseman Josh Donaldson hit his 23rd home run in Sunday's win over Texas.

Donaldson finished 1 for 3 with the solo shot and a pair of walks. Donaldson continues to be the offensive star of the Athletics franchise, as he owns a .302/.382/.507 line on the season.

Orioles third baseman Manny Machado homered Saturday against the Blue Jays, his first in 10 games, in a 4-3 loss. He finished the game going 2 for 5 with one run driven in and two scored. 

Machado is hitting .290 on the season, with 14 RBI and 71 RBI.

Orioles designated hitter Danny Valencia may have earned himself more playing time with his recent play, according to the Baltimore Sun.

Valencia has performed well lately, picking up 23 hits in 42 at-bats since August 4. His .548 batting average over that period leads the majors. Valencia's strong play could earn him more at-bats against right-handers. "Danny's in a good place right now and I'll continue to match him up, but the way he's handling himself, that's how you get dictated more opportunities," said manager Buck Showalter. Valencia is hitting just .194 against righties.

Valencia is hitting .330/.359/.652 in 112 at-bats. 

Orioles designated hitter Danny Valencia had himself a night Wednesday at home against the Yankees. Valencia recorded four hits in the game as he got the start with Andy Pettitte on the mound.

Valencia went 4 for 4 with a double and a run scored. He's batting .330 on the year for the Orioles. Valencia has gone 9 for 14 over his last four games. He has nine multi-hit games over his last 11 contests for the Orioles.

Athletics third baseman Josh Donaldson returned to action Tuesday in Minnesota following a quad injury. After looking good in batting practice, Donaldson went 1 for 4 with a run scored in the loss to the Twins. 

Donaldson singled and scored in the game, but also struck out twice for the A's. He is batting .297 on the season. 

Athletics third baseman Josh Donaldson's injured quad may no longer be an issue, the San Francisco Chronicle reports Tuesday. Donaldson was seen launching homers in batting practice before Tuesday's game in Minnesota. 

The corner infielder was able to make his return to the lineup Tuesday against the Twins after sitting out Sunday's game. 

Athletics third baseman Josh Donaldson sat out Sunday's game versus the Astros, as he aggravated a strained right quad during Saturday's contest. He was replaced in the lineup by Alberto Callaspo.

Oakland manager Bob Melvin intimated that he rested Donaldson so that he could return to the lineup for Tuesday's series opener against the Twins. He explained the decision to MLB.com, saying "with the off-day [Monday], it is definitely the prudent thing to do."

The Twins recalled seven players from Triple-A Rochester Sunday, including shortstop Eduardo Escobar, outfielders Eric Fryer and Chris Parmelee, and pitchers Scott Diamond, Michael Tonkin, Cole De Vries and Shairon Martis.

All seven players have previous major-league experience and will serve as depth for the Twins in the final weeks of the season.