MLB Player News

Moustakas is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Indians.

Moustakas has had a tough time at the dish lately. Over the last seven games, he's gone just 2-for-21 (.095) and struck out five times, bringing his batting average down to .271 from .277 in that stretch. He'll sit out Sunday while Cheslor Cuthbert starts at the hot corner.

Donaldson went 4-for-5 with two solo home runs, a stolen base and four runs scored during Saturday's win over Minnesota.

It's been a monster series for Donaldson, as he's gone 8-for-13 with two homers, five RBI and five runs. He's up to a .931 OPS for the year after posting an .868 mark in the first half of the season. Donaldson's second-half surge has reaffirmed his position as a top fantasy third baseman.

Escobar went 1-for-3 with a solo home run during Saturday's loss to Toronto.

With Miguel Sano (shin) on the disabled list, Escobar has filled in admirably at third base. Escobar entered Saturday's game with six homers, 14 RBI, 11 runs and a .967 OPS through 14 September games, and those numbers only improved after his 19th long fly of the campaign.

Ramirez will spend a few days on the bench to rest his hamstring, Tom Withers of The Associated Press reports.

With Ramirez out of the lineup Saturday and the team having a scheduled off day Monday, it appears likely that the infielder will be back in action for Tuesday's series opener against the Angels. Ramirez has been a little beat up over the past couple weeks with a bruised forearm and this slight hamstring problem, so the Indians want to make sure he's right heading into the home stretch of the season.

Ramirez is not in the lineup for Saturday's game against the Royals.

Following the end of Cleveland's 22-game winning streak, Ramirez will receive a day off in favor of Giovanny Urshela. Over his past 10 games, Ramirez is hitting a scorching-hot .459/.512/1.189 while adding seven home runs and 12 RBI.

Segura went 2-for-4 with a double and two RBI in Friday's 5-2 loss to the Astros.

Segura now has a pair of multi-hit outings in his last three games and four overall in September. The 27-year-old shortstop has also already racked up nine RBI during the month, putting him well on pace to comfortably eclipse the season-best monthly figure of 12 that he managed back in May. While an ankle injury has significantly curtailed his season, Segura has now eclipsed 40 extra-base hits for the second straight campaign and has also swiped at least 20 bases for the fifth year in a row.

Moncada switched to using a lighter bat earlier this week and has three multi-hit games since, Colleen Kane of the Chicago Tribune reports. "My swing is more fluid, and I feel stronger with my swing with these bats," Moncada said.

Using a lighter bat was the suggestion of teammate Jose Abreu, who had some bats shipped to the rookie in time for the start of the team's current 10-game road trip. Over the first five games of the trip, Moncada has gone 11-for-23 with two home runs. However, manager Rick Renteria feels it's more than just lighter bats, The manager said the rookie has been soaking up a lot of information since being called up to the majors and it's finally starting to sink in. However the credit pie is divided, it looks like Moncada is tapping into the potential.

Alvarez will be in the starting lineup Friday for the first time this season, Rich Dubroff of PressBoxonline.com reports.

Seth Smith usually starts against opposing right-handers, but he is just 2-for-11 against Yankees starter Luis Severino, so with Severino on the mound Friday, Mark Trubmo will start in right field, and Alvarez will get a chance to knock one out as the designated hitter.

Chapman is out of Friday's lineup against the Phillies.

With Oakland playing in a National League park, Ryon Healy will get the nod at third base, hitting fifth, which pushes Chapman to the bench. Chapman should be available as a pinch hitter or defensive replacement.

Chapman is out of Friday's lineup against the Phillies.

With Oakland playing in a National League park, Ryon Healy will get the nod at third base, hitting fifth, which pushes Chapman to the bench. Chapman should be available as a pinch hitter or defensive replacement.