MLB Player News

Rendon went 2-for-3 with a walk, a double and an RBI in Friday's win over the Reds.

His All-Star snub didn't seem to affect him in the first game after the break, as Rendon extended his current hitting streak to eight games and boosted his slash line on the year to .308/.411/.557.

Manager Terry Francona is thinking of moving Jose Ramirez to second base while Jason Kipnis (hamstring) remains out indefinitely, Paul Hoynes of Cleveland.com reports.

Ramirez has logged 17 games at second base this season, giving him eligibility at the keystone in most leagues. However, 20 is typically the magic number of contests needed to retain position eligibility for the next year. With that in mind, the All Star's value in keeper formats should receive an extra boost once Ramirez locks in that versatility for 2018.

Escobar is not in the lineup for Friday's game against the Astros, LaVelle E. Neal III of the Minneapolis Star Tribune reports.

Escobar sat out two of the Twins' final three games prior to the break, and he will remain on the bench for the second-half opener. While the 28-year-old enjoyed a very productive month of June (.354/.398/.549), he is still sitting with just a .677 OPS against right-handed pitching for the season.

The Red Sox promoted Devers to Triple-A Pawtucket on Friday, Evan Drellich of CSN New England reports.

The tantalizing prospect now has a gig because the BoSox released Jhonny Peralta and designated Pablo Sandoval for assignment. Devers hit .300/.369/.575 with 18 home runs over 320 plate appearances at Double-A Portland and now has a clearer path to join the contending Red Sox before the end of the season. If the 20-year-old gets the call and an undisputed opportunity, he'll be an urgent fantasy pickup.

Devers could be promoted to Triple-A Pawtucket after the Red Sox released Jhonny Peralta on Thursday, Kevin Dillon of MassLive.com reports.

The Red Sox were kicking the tires on Peralta, who had been given 61 plate appearances in the minors. The organization thought he might be an option at third base for the parent club, but his presence blocked Devers' promotion. Now, with Peralta gone and Pablo Sandoval's rehab assignment ending this weekend, there should be ample opportunity for Devers in Pawtucket while Michael Chavis holds down the hot corner at Double-A Portland.

Duffy (heel) is expected to resume baseball activities when the Rays return from their current road trip on July 21, Roger Mooney of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

It would be a significant development for the oft-injured infielder, whose recovery has been a series of fits and starts. Duffy underwent a procedure on June 23 that removed a calcium deposit from his injured heel and was expected to potentially eliminate the persistent discomfort he'd been experiencing; given the latest development, it appears that the surgery may have been pivotal to getting Duffy's rehab back on the right track.

Machado hit a career-low .230 while owning a career-high 19.7 strikeout rate in 330 at-bats prior to the All-Star break.

The slugging third baseman missed out on the Midsummer Classic for the first time in three seasons after struggling for much of the first half. In fairness, Machado has hit the ball well, but had no luck finding the holes in the defense -- his .239 BABIP is well off his .302 career clip. Overall, the 24-year-old displayed good plate discipline and power (.215 ISO) through the first half, and all signs point to Machado having better luck after the break.

McMahon, 22, is slashing .390/.419/.676 with eight home runs, 29 RBI and four steals in 32 games since being promoted to Triple-A Albuquerque.

McMahon has burst back onto the prospect scene in 2017 after a lackluster 2016 campaign. There's currently no place for him to play at the big-league level with Nolan Arenado manning the hot corner, but the Rockies may be forced to find a spot for him if he continues to rake. He can play first base and has been getting time at second base, but a trade might be his best shot at everyday at-bats.

Rendon went 2-for-3 with a double, two walks, two RBI and two runs in Sunday's win over the Braves.

He didn't take his All-Star snub lying down, and the 27-year-old heads into the break with an electric .304/.407/.552 slash line, 16 homers and 54 RBI in 81 games. Rendon's roaring toward a career year, but the most impressive aspect of his performance might be his improved plate discipline, as his 48:47 BB:K puts him on pace for personal bests in both walk rate (14.2 percent) and strikeout rate (13.9 percent).

Ramirez hit his 17th home run of the season in a 5-3 loss to Detroit on Sunday.

The 24-year-old has been on a quite a power surge lately, as he's now gone yard five times in his last eight games. Ramirez has already eclipsed his personal best of 11 home runs and appears set to challenge the 30-homer plateau with the second half right around the corner. His 10 stolen bases are right in line with 2016's career-high 22, as well.