MLB Player News

Twins third baseman Trevor Plouffe, who is on the seven-day disabled list with a concussion, felt "a lot better" Thursday, the St. Paul Pioneer Press reports.

"No headaches or anything," Plouffe told the Pioneer Press. "I pretty much feel normal. As far as any timelines, it's still one step at a time."

Plouffe was scheduled to undergo a full-impact test Thursday to determine whether his injury was a concussion.

Rays third baseman Evan Longoria admitted Wednesday he was nervous he wouldn't make it through a full season because his legs felt tired at season's outset.

"I felt pretty bad after the first week of the season, like 10 games in. I was kind of scared," Longoria said, per the Tampa Bay Times. "Because in spring training, you probably don't play three-four games in a row at the most toward the end of spring. Once we got like a week, 10 days into the season, I was feeling like, man, my legs were tired. And thoughts started to creep in about how you're going to do it for 162 days."

The Rays made the decision to use Longoria as the DH in an April 10 game against Texas and the slugger said he has felt better ever since. The Rays continue to use Longoria at DH every now and then, and it seems to be the formula to ease the 27-year-old's mind and keep him fresh. Longoria extended his career-best hitting streak to 16 games Wednesday against the Blue Jays.

"I haven't felt that fatigue," he said. "I feel like my legs are getting stronger and feeling better as the season goes on. And with that worry behind me, I can be focused on other things."

Twins third baseman Trevor Plouffe was placed on the 7-day disabled list Wednesday, despite saying he was "feeling better" a day after getting kneed in the head as he attempted to break up a double play. Plouffe showed sensitivity to light during an exam for concussion-related symptoms.

Plouffe is expected to get a few days off before taking a concussion test. 

"He took a good shot in the head. That's what this rule is for, to protect the player," manager Ron Gardenhire said. "Give him a little bit of a break here and do what's right. He was a little woozy and that's why there was concern."

The Twins placed starting third baseman Trevor Plouffe on the 7-day disabled list with a concussion Wednesday. Plouffe was injured in Tuesday's game against the Braves after taking a knee to the head.

Eduardo Escobar replaced Plouffe in Tuesday's game. Although no official announcement has been made, Escobar and Jamey Carroll will likely share time at third base in Plouffe's absence.

It's an unfortunate turn of events for Plouffe, who was getting on track offensively in May. He's batting .292 with a .477 slugging percentage, two home runs, six doubles and 13 RBI in 17 May games.

Twins third baseman Trevor Plouffe was forced out of Tuesday's game against the Braves after taking a knee to the head while sliding into second base to break up a double play in the 10th inning.

Plouffe went 1 for 4 with an RBI single in the eighth and was replaced by Eduardo Escobar. Plouffe likely will be further evaluated in the near future.

Rays third baseman Evan Longoria extended his career-best hitting streak to 14 games Monday at Toronto. Longoria went 2 for 4 with one run, one double and two RBI.

"It's the best baseball I've seen him play day in and day out, offensively and defensively," Rays manager Joe Maddon said, per MLB.com. "Every thing about his game has been superb, and it's been fun to watch."

Longoria is batting .393 (22 for 56) with three home runs, eight doubles and 14 RBI during his hitting streak. He's now reached base in a major-league best 43 games this season.

"I think the big thing is not chasing," Maddon said. "You talk about that all the time. Once a major-league hitter establishes his own strike zone and forces a pitcher to come to him more than he permits the pitcher to dictate, that's when he becomes really good."

Rangers infield prospect Mike Olt , who is on the minor-league disabled list with an eye issue, began a hitting program with Triple-A hitting coach Scott Coolbaugh.

General manager Jon Daniels told ESPN Sunday that eye specialists have not been able to locate a problem with Olt's vision. Olt was hitting .139 with a home run and six RBI in 20 minor-league games.

"You always like to have answers," Daniels said. "You deal with what you have."

The Orioles recalled third baseman Danny Valencia from Triple-A Norfolk Sunday before a game against the Rays, MLB.com reports. 

Valencia has hit .306 with 11 home runs over 171 plate appearances at Norfolk this season. He fills the team's need for a right-handed hitter with Nolan Reimold on the DL.

Orioles third baseman Danny Valencia is expected to be recalled Sunday after not being in the lineup for Triple-A Norfolk Saturday, MASN Sports reports.

Valencia has hit .306/.339/.600 with 11 home runs in 171 plate appearances at Triple-A this season. He would fill the team's need for a right-handed hitter with Nolan Reimold on the disabled list.

Athletics third baseman Josh Donaldson hit his sixth home run of the season Friday in a win over the Royals.

Donaldson hit a solo blast in the seventh inning off James Shields to score the first run of the game for the A's.

He finished 2 for 3 and is batting .323 on the year. Donaldson has hit in six straight games with three doubles, two homers and two RBI over that span.