MLB Player News

Astudillo went 2-for-2 with two doubles, two RBI and two runs Sunday against Cleveland.

Astudillo kicked off the scoring in the second inning with an RBI double and tacked on an insurance run in the fifth on a sacrifice fly to center. After being kept on the bench for the first two games of the season, Astudillo made the most of his opportunities in his 2019 debut.

Longoria (calf) is available to pinch hit Sunday and will return to the lineup Monday, Kerry Crowley of The San Jose Mercury News reports.

Longoria wasn't scheduled to be in the lineup Sunday after fouling a pitch off his calf Saturday. However, the issue apparently won't affect him in the long term, as he will rejoin the lineup against the Dodgers on Monday.

Duffy will be out for six more weeks with hamstring and back injuries, Rodney Page of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Duffy had been dealing with an unreported minor back issue, but the problem has worsened in recent days and complicated his recovery from a strained left hamstring. He's now set to return in mid-May. Yandy Diaz and Daniel Robertson have received the starts at third base in the Rays' first four games.

Vargas will start at third base and bat second Sunday against the Dodgers.

Vargas was recalled to the majors after Steven Souza (knee) required season-ending surgery. Sunday will mark his first start of the season, and he'll draw a tough matchup against Walker Buehler. He has appeared in two of the team's three games this season, once as a pinch hitter and once as a defensive replacement.

Davis will start at third base and bat cleanup Sunday against the Nationals.

Davis will replace Jeff McNeil at third base and hit in the heart of the Mets' lineup, immediately after Robinson Cano. It will be Davis' second start of the season, and he'll look to build off a two-RBI performance Saturday.

Longoria was removed from Saturday's game against the Padres via a double switch after fouling a pitch off his calf, Kerry Crowley of The San Jose Mercury News reports.

Longoria apparently could have stayed in the game if needed, but the team opted to play it safe during the first series of the season. The 33-year-old isn't scheduled to be in the lineup for Sunday's series finale but seems on track to return Monday against the Dodgers.

Moustakas went 2-for-4 with a walk and a two-run homer in Saturday's 4-2 win over the Cardinals.

His third-inning shot off Dakota Hudson capped the scoring for the Brewers, and Brandon Woodruff and the bullpen took care of the rest. Moose's shift to second base hasn't cost him anything at the plate, as he's gone 4-for-9 with two homers through three games.

Bregman went 1-for-4 with a solo home run in Saturday's 3-1 loss to the Rays.

He took Tyler Glasnow deep in the first inning for his first homer of 2019, but the Tampa pitching staff clamped down after that. The 25-year-old got the start at shortstop in this one, and if Carlos Correa's neck issues continue to linger, Bregman could quickly retain his dual 3B-SS eligibility.

Moncada went 3-for-5 with a home run, two RBI and two runs scored in Saturday's 8-6 loss to the Royals.

Moncada has four hits over the first two games and hasn't struck out yet, which is notable for the 2018 AL strikeout leader. The White Sox's newest third baseman has continued the torrid hitting pace he established in spring training, when he posted a .358 average and 1.110 OPS. Moncada adopted a more aggressive approach at the plate during the offseason and it's paid off early.

Donaldson will start at third base and hit second Saturday against the Phillies.

Donaldson looks to have secured a regular spot as the No. 2 hitter against right-handed pitching, as he previously slotted into the two hole in Thursday's season opener. Coming off an injury-plagued campaign, the 33-year-old may be headed for more rest days compared to previous seasons, but Donaldson is well situated to score plenty of runs and produce useful power numbers.