MLB Player News

Longoria went 1-for-3 with a solo home run in Sunday's 8-2 Grapefruit League win over the Blue Jays.

Despite a very good spring, Longoria had yet to homer prior to Sunday, when he launched a sixth-inning Brett Obelholtzer pitch down the left-field line. Based on his work this spring, Longoria seems primed to build on his resurgent 2016, as he's now slashing .400/.400/.550 with three RBI. However, Sunday's blast was notably his first extra-base hit over 20 at-bats.

The Pirates assigned Newman to minor league camp Monday, the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review reports. "We are excited about where he is," GM Neal Huntington said. "And we are looking forward to his continued growth and development offensively and defensively. We gave him some things to work on."

Newman, who hit .389 in 17 spring at-bats, will likely start 2017 with Triple-A Indianapolis. Pittsburgh's No. 1 pick in 2015, the infielder could make his major league debut this summer. He's shown an ability to hit for average (.295/.362/.396) in the minors and projects as Jordy Mercer's heir apparent at shortstop. Mercer may leave Pittsburgh when he becomes a free agent after 2018, but Newman could also slide over to second base if the veteran stays in place.

Blue Jays manager John Gibbons said Monday that Donaldson (calf) will pick up at-bats as the team's designated hitter in major or minor league games within the next few days, John Lott of The Athletic Toronto reports.

Donaldson has battled a right calf strain for nearly a month, which has prompted the Blue Jays to ease him back into action as Opening Day approaches. He has yet to make his debut in Grapefruit League play, but it sounds like that could happen by the end of the week. If the at-bats as DH go well, Donaldson's next step would be to resume his normal duties at third base, but he's seemingly on track to do that before the regular season begins.

Muncy was sent down to minor league camp Sunday.

Muncy has split the last two seasons between Triple-A Nashville and the big club in Oakland. Although he holds his own at the Triple-A level, his performance in the show has remained disappointing and has resulted in a .195/.290/.321 line for his career. While the 26-year-old could very well see time in the majors again in 2017, it's unlikely that Muncy will take on a role that would give him much fantasy value.

Machado went 2-for-4 with a solo home run in Saturday's World Baseball Classic victory over Team USA.

Down 5-0 in the bottom of the sixth inning, Machado kick-started the Dominican Republic's 7-5 comeback win with a deep fly off Nationals right-hander Tanner Roark. Machado was just 3-for-18 (.167) over seven Grapefruit League contests before leaving for the WBC. However, the All-Star third baseman has found his stroke on the world stage, going 4-for-9 with a homer and pair of runs scored through the team's first two games.

Senzel received negative results on his X-rays, showing no significant damage to his wrist, C. Trent Rosecrans of the Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

This is big news for both parties, as the CAT scans showed everything was normal in the wrist of the Reds' top prospect. Although the 21-year-old will likely still miss time, especially with the Reds being cautious with easing him back, he will not have to undergo surgery.

Alvarez agreed to a minor league deal with the Orioles on Saturday, Jon Heyman of FanRagSports reports.

It marks the end of a long negotiation process between the two sides that carried over well into spring training. Interestingly, Alvarez will attempt to make the team as an outfielder, despite having never once played the outfield in the majors. If his defensive abilities appear adequate, he could earn some starts in left field against right-handed pitchers, but may also be able to make the roster as a bench bat, regardless of how he looks in the field. Alvarez has demonstrated he still has pop in his bat, smashing 22 home runs last season while serving mainly as the designated hitter. Expect him to report to spring training as soon as the deal is finalized.

Senzel will get X-rays after getting hit on the wrist in batting practice Saturday, the Cincinnati Enquirer's C. Trent Rosecrans reports.

Senzel is the top fantasy prospect from last year's draft class, and one of the top overall prospects in baseball, so this is a potentially significant situation. He was scratched from Saturday's game after suffering the injury, and his status will be updated when the results of the X-rays are made public.

Plouffe went 2-for-3 with an RBI single, two-run double and a run in Thursday's 12-5 Cactus League win over the Reds.

The veteran third baseman looks like one of the bargains of the offseason, with Thursday's production bringing his spring line to .500/.588/.929 with a double, triple, home run, six RBI, three walks and five runs. If Plouffe's torrid spring is providing a sneak peek at his 2017 production, he'll offer above-average value in virtually any fantasy format this coming season, particularly if he's able to get back to the 20-HR level he's reached twice before.

Alvarez continues to hold out for a major league contract, FanRag Sports' John Perrotto reports.

Alvarez had to wait until March 10 to sign last spring, and despite hitting .249/.322/.504 with 22 home runs in 109 games with the Orioles, the market for one-dimensional sluggers is clearly not what it was even a year ago. If Alvarez can land a deal to DH against righties, his massive raw power would make him appealing in deeper leagues, but it is also possible that he will have to swallow his pride and take a minor league pact.