MLB Player News

Twins infielder Eduardo Escobar finished 2 for 4 with an RBI during his first start of the season in Minnesota's 9-5 loss to Baltimore on Friday. Escobar had served only as a pinch hitter in two of the first three games of the season before being inserted at shortstop against the Orioles.

"We have to mix it up a little bit and get everybody some at-bats," Gardenhire told MLB.com about Escobar's appearance.

Orioles third baseman Manny Machado went 1 for 4 with his first RBI of the season during Baltimore's 9-5 victory over Minnesota on Friday. Machado continues to serve as the second hitter in the Orioles' lumbering batting order and has collected a hit in three of his first four games.

Friday's outing also represented the first time the 20-year-old did not strike out during a game as he is carrying a .167 batting average.

Twins third baseman Trevor Plouffe hit his first home run of the season Thursday.

Plouffe hit a solo shot off Rick Porcello in the fourth inning. Plouffe hit 24 home runs in just 464 plate appearances last season, and could be in line for more now that he's in a full-time role.

Rays third baseman Evan Longoria had a nice night at the plate Wednesday in an 8-7 walk-off win over the Orioles in the second game of the season. 

But while Longoria went 2 for 4 in the game, his best asset continues to be his defensive play at third base. Longoria made countless stops that could have saved runs on Wednesday after coming up with a great play in Tuesday's opener. 

Longoria singled twice Wednesday and has started the season 3 for 8 (.375) at the plate with a run scored. 

Twins third baseman Trevor Plouffe didn't collect any hits Wednesday in a walk-off win over the Tigers. He stole his first base of the season, however. 

Plouffe went 0 for 2 with two walks and a strikeout in the game. He came around to score on a Wilkin Ramirez double in the seventh. Plouffe is batting .167 on the year after going 1 for 4 with a double and a run scored in the opener. 

Twins shortstop Eduardo Escobar took over at shortstop late in Wednesday's game against the Tigers. He ended up playing the role of the hero. 

Escobar, who took over for Pedro Florimon, the starter, blasted a walk-off double to left-center field off Phil Coke in the bottom of the ninth to send the Twins to victory, 3-2. He drove in the game-tying and winning runs. 

Escobar went 1 for 1 in the game and is now 1 for 2 on the season. The 24-year-old has come off the bench in both games. 

Orioles third baseman Manny Machado, who has never hit higher than sixth in his young MLB career, is embracing manager Buck Showalter's decision to bat him second in Tuesday's season opener at Tampa Bay.

"Buck does everything for a reason," Machado said. "He's trusting me and he has faith. He's going to put the best nine guys out there, nine guys who are going to help this team win, so that definitely boosts my confidence going into opening day, knowing that your manager and your teammates have faith in you. It's going to be great. I'm excited for it and I'm excited to get the season going."

The Orioles announced Monday third baseman Manny Machado will hit second during Tuesday's season opener at Tampa Bay. Machado never hit second as a rookie in 2012. He hit sixth, seventh, eighth and ninth.

Machado hit .268 (15 for 56) with one triple, three doubles, one RBI and seven walks in 21 spring games.

Twins third baseman Trevor Plouffe snapped his nine-game hitting streak on Tuesday by recording an out in his only at-bat before going hitless in three at-bats as the Twins' DH Wednesday against the Pirates. Plouffe had managed hits in 11 of his first 12 games before his 0-for-4 performance over the last two days. Even after cooling off, he's still hitting .366/.386/.439 this spring but has yet to hit a home run.

Orioles third baseman Manny Machado collected his first RBI of the spring in Tuesday's Grapefruit League contest against the Twins. He singled in his first at-bat before driving in a run on an error in the fourth inning. Machado finished 1 for 3 in the 9-5 loss.

The 20-year-old is batting .261 (12 for 46) through 18 spring games with a .326 slugging percentage.