MLB Player News

Candelario went 2-for-3 with a double, home run, and six RBI for Double-A Tennessee on Tuesday.

Candelario is off to a slow start - he's only slashing .217/.345/.377 in 69 at-bats for the Smokies - but Tuesday's explosion was certainly a step in the right direction. He has a respectable 14:16 BB:K this year as well. He's blocked at the major league level by Kris Bryant, but he's a decent prospect who could be part of a deal to fill whatever hole the Cubs need as the season goes along.

Plouffe (intercostal strain) is expected to head out on a rehab assignment this weekend, Mike Berardino of the St. Paul Pioneer Press reports.

It seems the plan is for Plouffe to play two or three games with a minor league affiliate to knock the rust off, with an eye toward returning May 3 when first eligible. Plouffe landed on the DL earlier this month with an intercostal strain, leaving Eduardo Nunez and Miguel Sano to handle duties at the hot corner. The 29-year-old Plouffe went 12-for-43 with four doubles and two homers in his first 12 games.

Valencia (hamstring) hit off a tee Monday and appears to be progressing well, Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.

This is good to hear considering not much was known about Valencia's rehab to this point. There's still not a definitive timetable for the third baseman's return, but the A's are hopeful that they can limit his stay on the disabled list to 15 days. If Valencia can continue progressing well like he has so far, that may be a very reasonable goal.

Donaldson will serve as the DH and bat second against the White Sox on Tuesday, Brendan Kennedy of the Toronto Star reports.

Donaldson was hit by a pitch over the weekend that has left him with a bruised thigh, so he'll be relegated to DH duties for the second straight game. Given that he's been able to stay in the lineup, it doesn't appear to be a major concern but it may keep him out of the field for the time being.

Peterson is out of the lineup Tuesday against the Red Sox.

Peterson will once again take a seat against a left-handed pitcher, as he has all season, as the Red Sox send out David Price on Tuesday. Jeff Francoeur will get the start in left field in his stead and bat fifth.

Segura hit his fourth home run as part of a 4-for-6 game with three RBI in Monday's win over St. Louis.

Segura extended his hit streak to five games in the process as he continues a blistering April with his new team in Arizona. Segura's line is up to .352/.379/.571. He already has 10 extra-base hits this season after mustering just 21 in 142 games last year. Even if Segura does cool off, he has a fantastic 11.6 percent strikeout rate, and good things tend to happen when you make contact that often.

Plouffe (intercostal strain) is doing well in his recovery and could be ready to return from the DL when he's first eligible May 3 against Houston, Rhett Bollinger of MLB.com

According to LaVelle Neal of the Minneapolis Star-Tribune, Plouffe hit from a tee Monday and was on the field for pregame workouts. Once Plouffe returns, the Twins will have to jettison another position player from the 25-man roster.

Chapman, 22, is slashing .259/.412/.556 with four home runs, eight RBI and two steals through 16 games for Double-A Midland.

Chapman has almost as many walks (12) as strikeouts (14). He had 23 home runs in just 80 games at High-A last season, so the power looks legit. It remains to be seen whether he will be able to hit for average, but the fact that he works the count and draws walks does lessen that worry a bit.

Donaldson went 3-for-4 with a homer, two runs scored, and four RBI in Saturday's 9-3 victory over the A's.

The slugging third baseman lit up his old team, taking Chris Bassitt deep in the second inning with two on to stake Toronto to a 5-1 lead at the time. Donaldson has now reached base safely in eight straight games, and is slashing an outstanding .307/.388/.680 with seven homers and 19 RBI over 75 at-bats.

Suarez launched a three-run homer against the Cubs' John Lackey on Saturday to propel the Reds into the lead in a big sixth inning. The homer was his fifth of the season, and he's now hitting .303/.361/.545 on the year.

One nice part of Suarez's big start is his improved plate discipline. Last year he walked just 4.3% of the time, while striking out 23.6%. He's improved both dramatically this year, walking 8.3% while striking out just 13.9%. The end result is that he's making more, and harder, contact.