MLB Player News

Moncada went 3-for-4 with a solo home run, a double and three runs scored in Sunday's win over the Royals.

Moncada has enjoyed a solid July to close out the first half of the season, hitting .327 (16-for-49) with two home runs and 11 runs scored this month. The 23-year-old raised his OPS to .739 with 36 extra-base hits despite striking out 130 times in just 344 at-bats.

Machado went hit a solo home run and walked in his two plate appearances during Sunday's 6-5 win over the Rangers before departing the game after four innings. Machado was taken out for precautionary purposes, according to Eduardo A. Encina of The Baltimore Sun, with the Orioles reluctant to expose him any further to the rainy conditions that hit Camden Yards.

Machado was spotted on the on-deck circle in the bottom of the fourth and was called back to the dugout, with Jace Peterson. The early exit in a two-run game fueled speculation that the Orioles might have formally agreed to trade Machado to another team, but that wasn't the case, with the club merely wanting to play it safe with its potential trade chip. Machado will thus remain a member of the Orioles as he prepares for his fourth All-Star Game appearance, but expect him to don different colors before the end of the month.

Asuaje is out of the lineup Sunday against the Cubs.

Asuaje will hit the bench in favor of platoon mate Jose Pirela with a southpaw (Jon Lester) on the mound for the Cubs. With a 12-for-34 (.353 average) showing at the plate since returning from Triple-A El Paso on July 1, Asuaje looks in little danger of falling behind Pirela on the depth chart.

LeMahieu (back) will start at second base and bat leadoff Sunday against the Mariners, Patrick Saunders of The Denver Post reports.

LeMahieu was held out of Saturday's 4-1 win with lower-back tightness, affording Pat Valaika a turn at the keystone. The injury was never considered significant, and the fact that LeMahieu was included in the starting nine for the Rockies' final game before the All-Star break rather than being rested implies as much.

Moncada (knee) is leading off and starting at second base against the Royals on Sunday.

Moncada exited Saturday's game after bumping knees on a pickoff play at second base, with X-rays coming back negative. The 23-year-old would likely have been held out of the lineup if there was any concern regarding the injury, and he's ready to go for the final game before the All-Star break.

Duffy (ankle) was scratched from Sunday's lineup against the Twins, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Duffy was initially going to bat second and start at third base, but he will instead be held out of the lineup after appearing to roll his ankle in Saturday's game. The 27-year-old will likely be ready to go once the second half of the season begins Friday against the Marlins, as his initial inclusion in the lineup suggests his late scratch is mostly precautionary in nature.

Duffy (ankle) will start at third base and bat second for Sunday's game at Minnesota, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Duffy left Saturday's game with the injury after appearing to roll his ankle on a swing but won't be held out of Sunday's lineup. If there were any concern from the Rays, they would undoubtedly give the 27-year-old an additional day of rest leading into the All-Star break, which bodes well for the severity of the injury.

Asuaje went 2-for-2 with a pair of walks, a stolen base and a run scored in Saturday's loss to the Cubs.

Asuaje has wrestled the Padres' starting second base job (against righties) from Jose Pirela, slashing .353/.476/.441 in 42 plate appearances since being recalled from the minors at the beginning of July. The 26-year-old doesn't provide much in the power department -- just one extra-base hit over that span -- but he can help deep-league owners in terms of batting average and run production while batting second in the order.

Ramirez 1-for-3 with a solo home run and two runs scored Saturday against the Yankees.

Ramirez took CC Sabathia deep in the first inning to record his 29th home run of the season, tying his mark for the entire 2017 season. He's been on an incredible tear over the past five games, launching five homers to go along with 11 RBI and seven runs scored.

LeMahieu's late scratch Saturday was due to lower-back tightness, Patrick Saunders of The Denver Post reports.

Given the timing of the injury, it wouldn't be surprising if LeMahieu were also held out Sunday in order to rest until after the All-Star break, though no official timeline has been announced. Pat Valaika will enter Colorado's lineup as the second baseman.