MLB Player News

Escobar went 1-for-5 with a two-run home run during Sunday's loss to Detroit.

Escobar is expected to see more consistent playing time moving forward, which will provide a modest virtual boost. He projects to remain a low-end asset in deep settings, but regular playing time provides a nice fantasy floor. For the campaign Escobar sports a .273/.328/.441 slash line with nine homers, 32 RBI and 29 runs through 247 plate appearances.

Chapman went 2-for-3 with a solo home run and a double during Sunday's win over the Mets.

Chapman also homered in Saturday's game, so the youngster's power potential is showing clear signs of translating to the highest level. He now has four homers and a .485 slugging percentage through 75 plate appearances with Oakland. There is intriguing power upside, but Chapman's 34.7 stirkeout percentage and .267 on-base percentage aren't encouraging marks, so expectations should probably remain in check.

Devers was promoted from Triple-A Pawtucket on Sunday, Ryan Hannable of WEEI.com reports.

The Red Sox's top prospect advanced to Triple-A just over a week ago, but the team's management apparently liked what they saw enough to send him straight to Boston. Devers had an OPS north of .940 in both Double-A and Triple-A this season, although his defense still leaves a bit to be desired. He's expected to join the team in Seattle on Monday, although he isn't expected to slot into the starting lineup until Tuesday. Devers should settle in as the primary third baseman for Boston moving forward. No corresponding move has been made yet.

Escobar will start at third base and man the leadoff spot Sunday against the Tigers, Mike Berardino of the St. Paul Pioneer Press reports.

Though Escobar finds himself at the hot corner Sunday, it's expected that he'll see more reps at shortstop in the near future with Twins manager Paul Molitor announcing Saturday that Jorge Polanco would be removed from his everyday role at the position in order to open up more at-bats for Escobar and Ehire Adrianza, according to LaVelle E. Neal of the Minneapolis Star Tribune. Thanks to his versatility, Escobar had already been seeing semi-regular at-bats at a number of different positions, but with his opportunities likely to increase, so too will his fantasy value. Escobar is hitting .275 with eight home runs and 30 RBI over 242 plate appearances this season.

Urshela will start at third base and bat ninth Sunday against the Blue Jays.

Jason Kipnis' hamstring injury has resulted in Jose Ramirez logging more time at the keystone of late, opening up more reps at third base for Urshela. The 25-year-old, who has gone 5-for-17 at the dish since his July 9 promotion from Triple-A Columbus, will pick up his fifth start in seven games Sunday.

Moustaskas went 2-for-4 with a pair of solo home runs in Saturday's comeback victory over the White Sox.

With all the talk surrounding Aaron Judge and his 31 home runs, you'd be hard-pressed to find many casual fans that know which AL player is ranked second behind the Yankees' rookie. Moustakas' two-homer night -- giving him three home runs in last two games -- puts him just three shots back of Judge on the season, and third overall in the majors. The third baseman's 62 RBI rank 10th in the AL, and his .566 slugging percentage ranks fifth through 87 games. Now in his seventh MLB campaign, Moustakas is having a breakout season that makes him a must-start across all formats.

Bregman went 1-for-4 with a solo homer Saturday against the Orioles.

Bregman launched his ninth homer of the campaign to open the scoring for the Astros in the fifth inning of a winning effort. His overall slash line of .263/.347/.424 doesn't look good, but he's starting to turn things around at the dish, batting .321/.424/.464 in 66 July plate appearances. His owners should take advantage while he's in a groove and park him in their lineups.

Chapman went 1-for-3 with a solo homer and two RBI in Saturday's loss to the Mets.

This was Chapman's third home run in 72 plate appearances in the majors, and after posting a .589 slugging percentage with Triple-A Nashville this year, the rookie's power upside is intriguing. Unfortunately, he also sports a concerning 36.1 strikeout percentage and underwhelming .185/.250/.415 slash line with Oakland. There is some appeal in deep leagues, but Chapman's unlikely to be a serviceable asset in the majority of settings until he shows more consistency at the dish.

Moncada went 1-for-4 with a triple and four RBI in Friday's extra-inning loss to the Royals.

His bases-loaded three-bagger off Ian Kennedy in the third inning staked the White Sox to a 5-1 lead, but James Shields and the bullpen couldn't hold it. Moncada has yet to strike out in two games since being called up, an encouraging sign for a player who fanned 28.3 percent of the time at Triple-A Charlotte this year.

Machado went 2-for-5 and scored twice in Friday's loss to the Astros.

Machado's sixth multi-hit game in his last 11 contests pushed his average up to .239, its highest point since early April. He's been on fire this month, going 23-for-69 (.333) with three home runs, 11 RBI and 11 runs. It's safe to say the third baseman's first-half woes are now in the rearview mirror.