MLB Player News
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Manny Machado 3B | SD
Padres' Manny Machado: Homers in Sunday's loss
Machado went 2-for-4 with a solo home run and a double in Sunday's 4-2 loss to the Dodgers.
Machado has had a homer and a double in three of his last eight games. He is hitting .321 (9-for-28) with eight RBI in that span, showing some signs of life after what's largely been a disappointing first half aside from steady power production. The third baseman is still batting just .188 on the year with a .664 OPS, 15 homers, 44 RBI, 39 runs scored, 15 doubles and one stolen base over 80 contests.
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Amed Rosario 3B | NYY
Yankees' Amed Rosario: Gathering fourth straight start
Rosario will start at designated hitter and bat sixth in Sunday's game against the Red Sox.
Rosario will stick in the starting nine for the fourth straight game, though he'll be matching up against a right-hander (Sonny Gray) on Sunday after the Red Sox sent lefties to the hill for the first three contests of the series. Though Ryan McMahon's (throat infection) recent move to the injured list leaves a void at third base, the Yankees could elect to use Jose Caballero at that position on a more frequent basis rather than opening up an everyday role for Rosario.
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Donovan Walton 3B | ATH
Angels' Donovan Walton: Sitting after three straight starts
Walton is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Athletics.
Walton will hit the bench for the matinee game after he started at second base in each of the Angels' previous three tilts while going a collective 2-for-11 with a double and a 0:5 BB:K. Oswald Peraza will replace him at the keystone Sunday, but Walton may still be viewed as the Angels' preferred option at the position after posting an .847 OPS since being called up from Triple-A Salt Lake on May 22.
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Max Muncy 3B | ATH
Athletics' Max Muncy: Handling full-time role
Muncy will start at third base and bat seventh in Sunday's game against the Angels.
He'll remain in the starting nine for an eighth straight game after going 5-for-23 (.217 average) with a home run, three walks, a stolen base, four RBI and two runs over the prior seven contests. Muncy looks like he'll have a fairly clear path to an everyday role at the hot corner while Zack Gelof (hand) is on the injured list.
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Buddy Kennedy 3B | SEA
Giants' Buddy Kennedy: Loses 40-man roster spot
The Giants designated Kennedy for assignment Sunday.
Kennedy has his contract selected by the Giants in early June, but he barely saw the field with just eight plate appearances in seven games. The 27-year-old could head to Triple-A Sacramento if he passes through waivers unclaimed, though he'll also have the right to elect free agency.
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Nick Loftin 3B | KC
Royals' Nick Loftin: Dealing with groin bruise
Loftin is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the White Sox due to a groin contusion, Anne Rogers of MLB.com reports.
During Saturday's 2-1 loss, Loftin went 0-for-3 with a strikeout before being lifted in the bottom of the ninth inning after being struck by a throw to third base from Daniel Lynch. Loftin indicated he's feeling much better Sunday and will be available off the bench, so the 27-year-old would appear to have a good chance at returning to the starting nine Tuesday versus the Rays.
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Blaze Alexander 3B | BAL
Orioles' Blaze Alexander: Heading to bench Sunday
Alexander is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Nationals.
The 27-year-old had started each of the last three games, but he could shift back into a utility role after Baltimore reinstated two key lineup cogs in Adley Rutschman (concussion) and Dylan Beavers (oblique) from the injured list Sunday. Alexander's last five starts had come at third base, but Coby Mayo could end up seeing the bulk of the time at the hot corner since he'll have fewer opportunities to serve as the designated hitter with Rutschman and Beavers back in the fold.
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Javier Sanoja 3B | MIA
Marlins' Javier Sanoja: Logs three hits, two thefts in win
Sanoja went 3-for-4 with a run, an RBI and two stolen bases in a 5-1 win over the Cardinals on Saturday.
Sanoja took advantage of just his third start over Miami's past seven games by rapping three singles from the No. 8 spot in the batting order. The speedy utility man capitalized while he was on the basepaths with a steal in each of the fourth and ninth innings. Sanoja appears to be sharing starts at third base with Graham Pauley and Leo Jimenez, though the recent demotion of Connor Norby to the minors could lead to Sanoja seeing a bit more playing time.
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Kyle Karros 3B | COL
Rockies' Kyle Karros: Slugs fifth homer
Karros went 1-for-3 with a two-run home run Saturday against the Twins.
Karros had been out of the lineup against three of the last four righties Colorado faced, but he rejoined the lineup Saturday and hit eighth. He delivered on the opportunity by slugging a two-run homer in the eighth frame, his fifth of the season. Karros now has two long balls in his last six starts, though it's unclear whether that will be enough to help him regain playing time.
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Sean Keys 3B | TOR
Blue Jays' Sean Keys: Collects hit in MLB debut
Keys went 1-for-4 with a run scored in Saturday's 7-4 loss to the Rangers.
Making his big-league debut at first base while Vladimir Guerrero got a partial breather as the DH and George Springer prepared for a potential stint on the paternity list, Keys collected his first career hit in the sixth inning and came around to score as the Blue Jays tried to claw their way back from an early 6-0 deficit. It's not clear how long Keys will remain on the 26-man roster, but the 23-year-old corner infielder could see consistent playing time while he's in the majors after producing a 1.122 OPS and seven homers in his first 18 games for Triple-A Buffalo.