MLB Player News

Escobar went 2-for-3 with a solo home run, a double and two runs scored in the Twins' 9-8 defeat to the Indians on Thursday.

After putting up a phenomenal .959 OPS in April, Escobar scuffled in May with a .670 mark in the month over 105 at-bats, but he broke through and launched his first long ball in nearly three weeks with this sixth-inning blast off Shane Bieber. He's still got a solid .267/.324/.492 slash line on the season, so hopefully he can build off this strong performance and regain his early-season form as the calendar flips to June.

Ramirez went 2-for-5 with a solo home run in Cleveland's 9-8 victory over the Twins on Thursday.

Ramirez has been on an absolute tear of late, as this fourth-inning blast off Jake Odorizzi marked his 18th of the season, as well as his fourth in his last five games. His ridiculous 1.030 OPS through 212 at-bats coming off his breakout 2017 campaign suggests Ramirez might be poised to put up MVP-caliber numbers throughout the season.

Manager Ron Gardenhire said X-rays on Candelario's wrist came back negative following Thursday's game against the Angels, Anthony Fenech of the Detroit Free Press reports.

Candelario exited Thursday's game after getting hit by a pitch on his left hand. Fortunately, it was determined that the third baseman is simply dealing with a bruise following further examination. The Tigers still figure to proceed cautiously with Candelario, as he spent some time on the disabled list earlier in the month with tendonitis in the same wrist he was plunked on. Consider him day-to-day for now.

Valencia (personal) is expected to be back for Friday's matchup against the Yankees, Eduardo A. Encina of The Baltimore Sun reports.

Valencia was placed on paternity leave Wednesday after the birth of his son. He figures to be in the starting lineup at third base for the weekend's first tilt.

Candelario left Thursday's matchup against the Angels after being hit by a pitch on his left hand, Anthony Fenech of the Detroit Free Press reports.

Candelario initially stayed in the game after being examined by the team trainer, but he was pulled at the start of the next inning. Recent callup Ronny Rodriguez took over at third base with Dixon Machado manning second following Candelario's exit in the top of the fifth inning. The 24-year-old spent time on the disabled list earlier in May with left wrist tendonitis, so he may have been removed as a precaution. He'll be considered day-to-day until more news on his status is released.

Duffy is not in Thursday's lineup against the Athletics, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Duffy will be replaced by Christian Arroyo, who is slated to man third base and bat eighth. Over his last three starts, Duffy has gone 4-for-14 at the dish.

Moustakas went 2-for-5 with a double, a home run and four RBI in Wednesday's 11-8 win over the Twins.

All his production came in the first two innings off Fernando Romero, as Moustakas poked a two-run double in the first and then launched his 12th homer of the year in the second to help chase the rookie from the game. While the 29-year-old is hitting only .244 (19-for-78) over his last 20 games, six of his last seven hits have gone for extra bases.

Valencia was put on the paternity list Wednesday, Roch Kubatko of MASN Sports reports.

This moves comes as expected, with Valencia's wife going into labor Tuesday. He'll get a few days to spend with his family, and Donnie Hart will join the big-league squad in the meantime.

Donaldson (calf) is not in Wednesday's starting lineup against the Red Sox, Hazel Mae of Sportsnet reports.

Donaldson likely won't return to the lineup until Friday against Detroit, following a scheduled off day Thursday. Manager John Gibbons stated it's "highly unlikely" that Donaldson would be available to pinch hit Wednesday, per Hazel Mae of Sportsnet. In his absence, Gio Urshela gets the nod at third and will bat ninth.

Duffy went 3-for-4 with three singles and was caught stealing on his only attempt in a win over the Athletics on Tuesday.

While there were no extra-base hits in Duffy's tally Tuesday, he continues to enjoy a stellar month at the plate. The hot-hitting infielder's May average is up to .321 following the three-hit effort, his third multi-hit haul in the last five games. Finally healthy after injuries wiped out all of last season, Duffy is demonstrating a level of offensive proficiency reminiscent of his solid 2015 rookie campaign in San Francisco, when he slashed .295/.334/.428 over 149 games.