MLB Player News

Valencia went 2-for-5 with three RBI from a sacrifice fly, a run-scoring single and a solo home run in Monday's 14-3 win over the Twins.

Valencia has now racked up 14 RBI over his first 11 games of June. matching his total from all of May. The veteran's month-plus surge after an abysmal start at the plate began with a four-hit effort against the Phillies on May 10, as Valencia has raised his average 51 points to .269 while compiling a .361 wOBA in his 119 plate appearances since that date.

Arenado went 3-for-5 with a stolen base during Monday's loss to Pittsburgh.

The stolen base was a welcomed bonus for fantasy owners and just the second of the season for the third baseman. Arenado sports a .292/.351/.557 slash line with 14 home runs, 46 RBI and 43 runs for the campaign, and he appears to be heating up with a 1.045 OPS in June.

Machado (wrist) is back in the lineup Monday against the White Sox, batting third and playing third base.

After sitting out the past four games with a strained wrist, but the Orioles seem confident enough in his health to insert him back into his normal spot in the batting order. He'll resume his regular duties with the hopes of improving his career-worst .719 OPS, beginning with a matchup against the hittable Mike Pelfrey on Monday.

Segura (ankle) fielded grounders prior to Monday's game against the Twins, Bob Dutton of The Tacoma News Tribune reports.

It's Segura's first on-field activity since he suffered the high-ankle sprain June 1. The shortstop is hopeful to come off the disabled list by the end of June, but a return date probably won't come into focus until he's cleared to resume running the bases.

Arenado will start at third base and bat third Monday against the Pirates.

Arenado received just his second day off of the season Sunday against the Cubs, which allowed Pat Valaika to pick up a rare start at the hot corner. Since his absence from the lineup was strictly for rest, Arenado should be expected to play in all seven of the Rockies' games this week. The 26-year-old is batting .333/.386/.641 with 12 RBI and seven runs through the Rockies' first 10 contests of June.

LeMahieu went 2-for-4 with two RBI and a run during Sunday's loss to the Cubs.

LeMahieu had a solid series against Chicago, as he went 6-for-18 with a homer, six RBI and four runs. His .719 OPS is still well below the .911 mark he posted in 2016, but the second baseman is still tilting the fantasy scales with 30 RBI and 33 runs. Hitting second in a powerful lineup and calling Coors Field home remains a great virtual setup for LeMahieu.

Escobar finished 3-for-4 with a solo home run, a walk and three RBI on Sunday against the Giants.

Although he tends to start more often against left-handed pitching, Escobar was in the starting lineup Sunday and produced off Giants starter Matt Cain. Nonetheless, the utility infielder will most likely continue in his reserve role and will not play every day. He's now slashing .248/.299/.410 in 127 plate appearances on the season.

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.