MLB Player News

Donaldson went 3-for-5 with a home run, three RBI and two runs in Sunday's win over Seattle.

The Bringer of Rain drove his eighth homer of the season to opposite field in the first inning, giving the Jays all the offense it needed to take down Seattle 4-0. Since returning from a lengthy disabled list stay, Donaldson has mashed five home runs while putting together a 1.080 OPS in 13 games. He's also tallied nine RBI, six runs and eight walks during that stretch. Needless to say, Donaldson has rounded into form and once again looks like an MVP-caliber player.

Machado (wrist) was available to pinch hit Sunday against the Yankees, and there's a possibility he'll be ready to play Monday against the White Sox, The Associated Press reports.

Prior to Sunday's contest, the All-Star third baseman hit off a tee, took groundballs and made some throws. The Orioles were crushed 14-3 in the game, giving skipper Buck Showalter no reason to deploy Machado as a pinch hitter, but it's encouraging to know he was available. Based on his activity level, there's reason to believe the 24-year-old is safe to start in weekly lineups this week.

Moustakas went 2-for-4 with a pair of home runs and three RBI in Sunday's win over the Padres.

He's up to 17 home runs through 56 games (the Royals have played 62), putting the third baseman on pace for a whopping 44 blasts this season (his career high of 22 was set in 2015). Moustakas also has a shot to drive in 100 runs for the first time in his seven MLB seasons, and his current .271/.310/.528 slash line is solidly ahead of his .249/.304/.414 career mark.

Arenado is not in the lineup for Sunday's game against the Cubs, Patrick Saunders of The Denver Post reports.

Arenado has appeared in 63 of the team's first 64 games this season and will head to the bench Sunday for a well-earned day of rest. Pat Valaika will draw the start at third base in his stead. The starting third baseman should rejoin the heart of the Rockies' lineup Monday at Pittsburgh.

Machado (wrist) is out of the lineup Sunday against the Yankees, Eduardo A. Encina of The Baltimore Sun reports.

Machado will be on the bench for the fourth straight game with the strained wrist, but the Orioles have indicated that they don't expect their franchise player to require a trip to the disabled list. That may be enough reason for fantasy owners to keep Machado active for the upcoming week, though it's far from guaranteed he'll be ready to go for the Orioles' series opener Monday with the White Sox. Ruben Tejada will start at the hot corner Sunday in place of Machado.

Plouffe is out of the lineup Sunday against the Rays, Roger Mooney of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Plouffe will ride the pine for the third time in five games with manager Bob Melvin opting to make room in the lineup for the newly recalled Jaycob Brugman, who turned in a pair of two-hit efforts in Saturday's doubleheader. If Brugman continues to hit well, it wouldn't be surprising if Plouffe was gradually phased out of the lineup, as the veteran third baseman hasn't done much this season to warrant everyday at-bats. He's hitting .217/.279/.361 over 197 plate appearances, with all three batting marks representing career lows.

Longoria went 3-for-5 with two doubles, an RBI and two runs during Saturday's win over Oakland in the first game of the Rays' doubleheader.

The veteran is having another solid season with a .255/.320/.426 slash line, nine homers, 34 RBI and 33 runs, but it could prove difficult for him to repeat his 2016 numbers. Additionally, it appears last season was an outlier considering Longoria posted a .419 slugging percentage over the 2014 and 2015 campaigns. It's probably best to value Longoria as a middle-of-the-pack contributor and not a high-end third baseman.

Plouffe is out of the lineup for the second game of Saturday's doubleheader.

Plouffe started the first game Saturday, going 1-for-4 during the extra-inning loss and being replaced by Matt Olson as a pinch hitter during the top of the ninth. For the second game, Ryon Healy will take his place at third.

Valencia will get a day off Saturday as the Mariners face the Blue Jays.

Valencia has been in the starting lineup every game since coming back from a three-day absence due to a wrist injury on May 24, batting .350/.394/.467 in that span. For Saturday's contest, he will be replaced in the lineup by Taylor Motter at first base while Tyler Smith fills in at shortstop.

Manager Buck Showalter is optimistic that Machado (wrist) will be able to avoid a stint on the disabled list, MASN's Roch Kubatko reports.

Although Machado is set to miss his third straight game Saturday due to a strained wrist, it appears that his absence could be coming to an end sooner rather than later. Ruben Tejada will get the start at third base Saturday.