MLB Player News

Duffy (Achilles) ran the bases Thursday, Alex Pavlovic of CSN Bay Area reports.

He cleared a significant hurdle by running the bases -- the activity was said to have gone "really well" -- and Duffy now appears on the verge of beginning a rehab assignment. The 25-year-old could join an affiliate at some point this weekend. It's uncertain how long Duffy will need in the minors to prepare for a return, but with Joe Panik back, Hunter Pence (hamstring) nearing activation and Duffy getting close, it looks the Giants' lineup will be back at full strength early next month.

Segura went 3-for-5 with a double, an RBI and a run in an 8-1 bashing of the Brewers on Wednesday.

That's now a nine-game hitting streak for the 26-year-old shortstop, who's delivered five hits and a walk in the first three games of this four-game set against his old Brewers mates. Segura has served as Arizona's No. 3 hitter in consecutive contests, but Jake Lamb (hand) has missed both those games; the breakout third baseman's absence from the cleanup spot has pushed Paul Goldschmidt down to No. 4 in the lineup, opening up the three-hole for Segura. Lamb shouldn't be out long, so take advantage in DFS with Segura getting at least one more game as the third hitter Thursday against the Brewers.

Longoria went 3-for-4 with a two-run homer in the 3-1 victory over the Dodgers on Wednesday.

His home run in the fourth gave Tampa Bay the lead for good. Longoria has a modest four-game hitting streak and four home runs and 10 RBI in the last 10 games. He is slashing .292/.340/.545 with 23 home runs, 57 RBI and 52 runs in 391 at-bats this season.

Plouffe (ribs) hit soft toss Wednesday and will have a live batting practice session Friday, Mike Berardino of the Pioneer Press reports.

Plouffe is scheduled to go on a rehab assignment in the near future, as long as his upcoming batting practice goes without any issues. The team has yet to say how long Plouffe's rehab assignment will be, but it's apparent that he'll likely return to the team at some point in early August.

Valencia is out of the lineup Wednesday against the Rangers.

Despite giving up the third base job to Ryon Healy a couple weeks ago, the A's have still found ways to get Valencia in the lineup almost every day. However, Khris Davis will start at DH and Yonder Alonso will get the nod at first base Wednesday.

Asche is not in the lineup for Wednesday's matchup with the Marlins, Meghan Montemurro of the News Journal reports.

Asche will get the day off in favor of right-handed hitter Tyler Goeddel with southpaw Adam Conley on the mound for Miami. Goeddel will bat sixth.

Batting third for the first time this season, Segura went 1-for-4 with a walk and a run in Tuesday's loss to the Brewers.

Segura has led off all but four times this season, and in the previous three instances, he batted ninth. It remains to be seen whether the lineup change will stick, but Segura could see an uptick in RBI if he keeps batting third, though he may run a bit less if he's immediately before slugger Paul Goldschmidt.

Donaldson went 2-for-6 with a home run, a double and three RBI on Tuesday in the Blue Jays' exciting 12-inning win over the Padres.

Donaldson set the tone Tuesday with a two-run shot in the top of the first inning with no outs off San Diego starter Andrew Cashner. The Blue Jays later trailed the Padres 6-4 in the 12th inning, when Donaldson helped finish the night with a RBI fielder's choice that setup teammate Devon Travis to score the winning run and complete the comeback on a walk-off wild pitch later that inning. The reigning AL MVP is set to contend for the title once again, now with a 1.002 OPS that ranks second in the AL only to veteran DH David Ortiz.

Rendon homered, scored twice and knocked in two runs in a 2-for-4 game in Tuesday's loss to Cleveland.

After hitting just five home runs in 80 games last year, Rendon has 12 in 96 games in 2016. While he hasn't totally rediscovered his form from 2014, when he hit 21 homers in 153 game, Rendon is showing plus power for a second baseman, particularly of late, as he has five home runs in July alone. He is one of just 14 second basemen with double-digit home runs this season.

Bregman went 0-for-4 with a pair of strikeouts in his MLB debut Monday against the Yankees.

Yankees starter Michael Pineda, along with relievers Dellin Betances and Andrew Miller, combined to strike out 12 Astros in their 2-1 win. Bregman, who hit sixth in the lineup Monday, may soon move up to second in the batting order to bridge the gap between George Springer and Jose Altuve. That could happen as early as Tuesday when the Astros face southpaw C.C. Sabathia.