MLB Player News

Longoria (forearm) is back in the lineup playing third base and hitting third Friday against the Giants, the Tampa Tribune's Roger Mooney reports.

There aren't a lot of details available regarding the nature of Longoria's forearm discomfort, but it's possible there could be lingering issues that he attempts to play through. Nonetheless, he should be deployed as usual in most formats now that he's back in the mix.

Newman was promoted to Double-A Altoona on Friday, MLB.com's Adam Berry reports.

Newman returned to action earlier this week after missing three weeks with a fractured orbital bone, and a 7-for-11 stretch -- which raised his OPS with High-A Bradenton to .922 -- helped him quickly take the next step up the minor league ladder. Newman was selected in the first round last year and will turn 23 later this summer, so the Pirates figure to let him get a shot at the Triple-A level once he proves capable of handling Double-A pitching.

Longoria (forearm) hopes to return to the starting lineup for Friday's series opener versus the Giants, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

The veteran third baseman was forced from Wednesday's game versus the Mariners early due to the discomfort he felt in his left forearm, and the ailment also caused him to sit out Thursday's series finale. Longoria also conceded that the same issue was the culprit behind him sitting out a game against the D-backs on June 7, but feels that the recent rest will facilitate a Friday return to the lineup. "It's really just when I check-swing it just gets sore," he said. "It's the same symptoms as it was last time. It feels pretty much identical. And it responded well the next day after that so that leads me to believe it will be hopefully the same thing."

Rendon went 1-for-4 with a solo homer and a walk Thursday at the Padres.

Rendon's seventh blast of the year extended the Nationals' lead to two runs in the sixth inning to help lead the team to a win. He's now produced only five hits in his last 31 at-bats, and he's slashing .254/.336/.407.

Donaldson went 3-for-3 with a double, two walks and three runs in Thursday's 13-2 rout of the Phillies.

This season hasn't quite been a repeat of Donaldson's MVP-worthy 2015, but he's been ramping things up in a big way of late -- over the last nine games, Donaldson's gone 16-for-34 (.471) with three homers, two steals, 13 RBI and 14 runs. He also has more walks (eight) than strikeouts (six) in that span. In fact, Donaldson has raised his walk rate to a career-high 15.1 percent this year. The 30-year-old looks like he's destined to end up in that MVP conversation again after all.

Machado's suspension appeal will be heard Tuesday, Eduardo Encina of the Baltimore Sun reports.

With the appeal reportedly set for Tuesday, Machado will to be eligible to play through Baltimore's weekend series against Toronto. However, once his appeal has been heard, Machado may have to sit out for anywhere up to four games depending on the ruling. Shortstop J.J Hardy is currently on a rehab assignment and could return as soon as Friday, which would lessen the impact of Machado's absence. Still, Baltimore would likely have to lean on Pedro Alvarez or Ryan Flaherty at third base if Machado is to miss time.

Alvarez is not in the lineup for Thursday's game against the Red Sox, Roch Kubatko of MASN Sports reports.

Alvarez will now get his third straight day off after being held out of the lineup Tuesday and Wednesday. There are no reports that anything is amiss, and Baltimore will start Mark Trumbo at DH for the third consecutive day with Joey Rickard slotted into right field.

Asche is not in the lineup for Thursday's game against the Blue Jays, Ryan Lawrence of the Philly Voice reports.

Asche has started the previous eight games for the Phillies and will be getting a day off for Thursday's outing. He earned his first multi-hit game of the season Wednesday night, going 3-for-4 with one home run, two doubles and two RBI. In his place the Phillies will start Tyler Goeddel in left field, batting seventh.

Duffy went 3-for-5 with an RBI and a run scored in Wednesday's 10-1 win over the Brewers.

This was Duffy's second three-hit game over his past three contests. He has also reached base safely in all but two of his appearances in June. It is safe to say that his bat has finally woken up after a slow start to the season. It is also important to note that he is batting fifth in the lineup with sluggers Hunter Pence (hamstring) and Brandon Belt (ankle) sidelined. Duffy's .251 batting average should continue to rise as his .270 BABIP inches closer to his career mark, which resides in the low-to-mid 300s.

Longoria (forearm) is not in the lineup for Thursday's game against the Mariners, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Longoria says that he's truly day-to-day. He expects to be able to be available to pinch hit Thursday and be back in the lineup on Friday. Taylor Motter will step in at third base and bat seventh.