MLB Player News

Plouffe was a late scratch Saturday due to an illness, the East Bay Times' John Hickey reports.

Mark Canha will take over as the DH batting eighth while Ryon Healy moves from DH to third base. Make sure to take Plouffe out of all daily lineups Saturday.

Moustakas is not in the lineup Saturday against Houston.

After starting the first four games of the season, Moustakas will take a seat Saturday as the Royals go with Cheslor Cuthbert at third base. Moustakas is 5-for-17 with two solo home runs thus far in 2017.

Chapman left Friday's game for Triple-A Nashville with a wrist injury that occurred on a check swing, the San Francisco Chronicle's Susan Slusser reports.

He missed much of the 2015 season with a wrist injury, and is expected to be re-evaluated Saturday. A's director of player development Keith Lieppman described the injury as a "tweaked" wrist, but it's possible he injured his hamate bone, which could result in his power being sapped somewhat this season. Chapman's swing-and-miss issues are well known, and he had six strikeouts in seven at-bats through two games prior to the injury.

Machado went 1-for-4 with a three-run blast, his first of the season, in Friday's 6-5 win over the Yankees.

Machado's first big fly gave the 24-year-old his first RBI and run scored of the young campaign. He also struck out three times, something the third baseman did in just four games all of last season.

Moncada has seven hits in 11 at-bats over his first two games at Triple-A Charlotte, but White Sox manager Rick Renteria is not thinking about having him up with Chicago, Paul Skrbina of the Chicago Tribune reports. "For me to start thinking that far ahead wouldn't be prudent," said the manager.

It's only natural for speculation to pick up as the organization's top prospect gets off to such a hot start, but the club has preached patience during this rebuilding year. General manager Rick Hahn has been adamant about not rushing Moncada, who still has some development to do in the minors. He may not be with the White Sox in April, but Moncada will be up with the team in 2017.

Escobar is batting ninth and slotted as the designated hitter for Saturday's game against the White Sox, Phil Miller of the Minneapolis Star-Tribune reports.

Escobar is normally just a backup infielder, though it seems manager Paul Molitor wants his switch-hitting bat in the lineup Saturday. The 28-year-old is 3-for-6 with a home run and four RBI this season.

Rendon went 1-for-3 with a walk in Friday's win over the Phillies.

After going 0-for-8 if his first two games, Rendon finally picked up his first hit. Expect the third baseman to quickly get back up to speed at the plate and start contributing to the Nationals' potent offense.

Suarez is out of the lineup Friday against the Cardinals.

Suarez began the season hitting in the five-hole, but after only garnering two hits in the first three games of the season, he'll take a seat on the bench for a night off. Scooter Gennett will take his place at the hot corner and bat seventh.

Plouffe went 1-for-4 with an RBI single in Thursday's 5-1 victory over the Angels.

The veteran third baseman broke through with his first RBI of the season in the sixth courtesy of a single to deep center, and he's now hit safely in three of the first four games of the season. Plouffe tore the cover off the ball in his first spring with the A's, hitting .370 with three doubles, two triples, two home runs and 11 RBI over 17 games.

Alvarez went 2-for-3 with three walks, launching two home runs and plating five in Thursday's Opening Day for Triple-A Norfolk.

Playing in his first minor-league game since 2011, the 30-year-old appeared far superior to the competition. Alvarez put together a fine showing in Grapefruit League play after signing an NRI deal in March. However, the wick is burning fast on his career, and hanging around Triple-A won't be appealing to Alvarez for long. Although there isn't much room for the slugger on the MLB roster, his long history of posting good power numbers at the highest level should afford him a chance with the Orioles later in the year.