MLB Player News

Rangers infield prospect Mike Olt and pitching prospect C.J. Edwards are in play in trade talks for Cubs pitcher Matt Garza, Fox Sports reports. A deal between the teams is reportedly getting closer to completion.

The Cubs have asked teams for final offers for Garza, who has been one of the most discussed names on the trade market this season. While the Rangers appear to be the furthest along in trade talks, other teams are thought to be involved in discussions for Garza.

Orioles infielder Danny Valencia will likely be promoted Thursday, according to MASN.

Valencia is no longer listed with Triple-A Norfolk and will likely replace someone going to the disabled list. Valencia is hitting .230/.277/.508 in 61 at-bats. 

Adrian Beltre doesn't figure to vacate the third base spot in Texas anytime soon, but at age 24, Mike Olt is ready to break through in the majors. The Rangers know they're running out of time to redeem his value, which is why they're trying to make him the centerpiece of a deal for Matt Garza.

But even if Olt doesn't go to the Cubs, he's a pretty safe bet to go somewhere at the trade deadline, and wherever he goes, he's pretty much sure to start right away. He's at the point where staying in the minors is doing him more harm than good.

Then again, would you really want him in Fantasy? He's hitting .211 at Triple-A Round Rock. Keep in mind, though, he was dealing with blurred vision for the first month or so. Since returning to the lineup May 31, he's batting .247 with eight homers in 174 at-bats. At worst, he's like a more patient version of Juan Francisco, which makes him worth stashing in deeper Rotisserie leagues.

Major-league sources said the Rangers are believed to be offering infield prospect Mike Olt as part of a deal to acquire Cubs starting pitcher Matt Garza, reports CSN Chicago. However, Olt has dealt with vision problems in 2013 and several scouts are wary of making Olt the centerpiece to the trade.

Twins third baseman Trevor Plouffe went 2 for 5 with three runs scored a 10-4 win at New York Sunday. He singled twice and is batting .265. 

The 27-year-old is 5 for 13 during a three-game hitting streak with a homer and RBI over that stretch. He's scored four runs in his last two games. Plouffe enters the break with 10 home runs and 34 RBI in 238 at-bats. 

The Twins demoted infielder Eduardo Escobar to Triple-A Rochester following Sunday's game against the Yankees. Escobar heads to the minors mired in a 3-for-28 slump in his last 13 games (seven starts).

Rays third baseman Evan Longoria smacked an RBI double to deep left-center field in the 5-0 win over the Astros Sunday. Longoria finished 1 for 3 with a walk and two strikeouts in the game. 

Batting .278 on the season, Longoria has gone just 5 for 36 (.139) over his last 10 games. He has just one homer and one double over that span as his only hits for extra bases with just four RBI and 11 strikeouts. 

Twins third baseman Trevor Plouffe homered Saturday in New York during a 4-1 win. Plouffe's 10th homer came in the second inning off Phil Hughes.

He finished 1 for 4 and is batting .262. Plouffe has three homers in his last 10 games with four RBI.

Rays third baseman Evan Longoria hit his 18th home run Thursday against the Twins.

Longoria hit a solo shot off Mike Pelfrey in the sixth inning. He finished 1 for 4, with an RBI. Longoria is hitting .284.

Rays third baseman Evan Longoria is back in the field for the second consecutive day. 

Manager Joe Maddon said Longoria would resume his duties at third, and the fact he'll start a day game directly following a night game should signal that he's feeling pretty good. Longoria is hitting .284/.363/.512 in 334 at-bats.