MLB Player News

Longoria is out of the lineup Wednesday against the Reds, Bill Chastain of MLB.com reports.

Manager Kevin Cash will take advantage of the Rays' open date in the schedule Thursday to give Longoria two full days of rest after the franchise cornerstone started the last 46 games at either third base or designated hitter. With Longoria sitting, the newly acquired Trevor Plouffe will cover the hot corner and bat fifth.

Machado went 4-for-4 with a double, two home runs, three runs scored and four RBI in Tuesday's 6-5 win over Cleveland.

He'd been hitting just .189 (7-for-37) over his prior 10 games, so Tuesday's offensive explosion was a welcome sight for fantasy GMs who might be losing patience with the superstar's relatively slow start to the campaign. Despite a .753 OPS that would be his lowest in four seasons if he can't improve on it, Machado still has 15 homers and 36 RBI, putting him on pace for his third straight season with at least 35 HR and 80 RBI.

Escobar exited Tuesday's game against the White Sox in the seventh inning, Mike Berardino of the St. Paul Pioneer Press reports.

Escobar was 1-for-3 at the plate with a walk and run scored before he was eventually replaced in the field by Ehire Adrianza during the seventh inning. The reason for Escobar's early departure is currently unknown.

Segura (ankle) is expected to be activated from the disabled list Thursday, Bob Dutton of The Tacoma News Tribune reports.

Wednesday was the original target date, but the Mariners will hold off one day just to be safe. He began a rehab assignment Monday as the Triple-A affiliate's designated hitter and is expected to play shortstop Tuesday. As long as all goes well with that, the young shortstop should resume his normal position with the major-league club Thursday, moving Taylor Motter to the bench.

Chapman (knee) said that the antibiotics are reducing the swelling as hoped, Jane Lee of MLB.com reports.

The top prospect also has better range of motion in his knee since starting the medication, so it seems that the situation is nearly handled. The plan is for Chapman to continue taking the antibiotics over the next couple days with the hope of returning to the lineup afterward. Consider him day-to-day for now, with Ryon Healy taking over at third base in the meantime.

Chapman (knee) is out of the lineup Tuesday against the Astros, Jane Lee of MLB.com reports.

As anticipated, Chapman will watch Tuesday's bout from the bench as he continues to nurse a knee infection. More information regarding his status for the coming days is expected to come forth relatively soon. Ryon Healy will log another start at the hot corner.

Rendon (neck) is not in the lineup Tuesday against the Marlins, Mark Zuckerman of MASNsports.comreports.

Rendon was forced out of Monday's game with a pinched nerve, and although the Nationals don't believe it is anything overly serious, he'll get another day to rest up before hopefully returning to the lineup for Wednesday's series finale. Stephen Drew is starting at third base in his place.

Plouffe went 1-for-4 with a run in Monday's 7-3 loss to the Reds.

The veteran third baseman put forth a modest showing in his Rays debut while serving as the designated hitter and operating out of the seven-hole. Plouffe offers some power but struggled during his time with Oakland, racking up his highest strikeout rate (29.1 percent) since his initial big-league cup of coffee with the Twins in 2010.

Rendon (neck) only has a stinger and may be able to play Tuesday, Mark Zuckerman of MASN reports.

Rendon was forced to leave Monday's game with a neck injury, and there were concerns that it was serious. Fortunately, it's just a pinched nerve, and the Nationals are hopeful that he'll be able to get the kinks out by Tuesday; even if that's not the case, Rendon's stay on the bench shouldn't be a long one.

Rendon was removed for a pinch hitter Monday after suffering an apparent neck injury diving in the field, Dan Kolko of MASN reports.

Stephen Drew took Rendon's place in the lineup. The severity of the injury was unclear, so we will have to consider him day-to-day until the Nationals' doctors are able to get a look at him.