MLB Player News

Moustakas went 2-for-3 with a double and a walk in Friday's 4-3 victory over the Twins.

The 27-year-old broke through with his first two hits of the season after an 0-for-8 start in his first two games. Moustakas is expected to fill an important offensive role near the top of the lineup after a breakout 2015 that saw him set career highs in virtually every offensive category.

Donaldson went 1-for-5 with a grand slam in Friday's 8-7 loss to the Red Sox.

The reigning AL MVP now has a modest five-game hitting streak to open the season, and already has gone yard on three occasions. Donaldson's seven RBI also leads the Blue Jays, and he's now homered in two straight contests, and three of the last four games.

Machado was 1-for-4 with a solo home run in the Orioles win over Tampa Bay on Friday night.

Machado now has a pair of home runs - both solo shots - but fantasy owners in leagues with minimal qualifying rules will be happy to hear he played the game at shortstop as Baltimore gave J.J. Hardy a night off. A potent bat by any definition, additional eligibility at a middle infield position will only enhance his value in fantasy circles.

Machado is getting the start at shortstop Friday and hitting third, MASN's Roch Kubatko reports.

The O's are giving J.J. Hardy the day off, so Machado will get the start at shortstop, which gives hope to the notion that he could gain shortstop eligibility in leagues with more liberal qualification rules.

Donaldson is in Friday's lineup as the designated hitter and will bat second, Sportsnet's Barry Davis reports.

All indications were that Donaldson would be able to play Friday, and it was just a matter of whether he would play third base or occupy the DH spot. He may not be at 100 percent, but he is healthy enough to continue to play through any lingering discomfort.

Peterson is out of the lineup Friday against the Cardinals.

The left-handed Peterson will be replaced by Gordon Beckham on Friday with the Braves squaring off against southpaw Jaime Garcia. Peterson has a hold on the Braves' every day second base job for the most part, but there will be instances where he sits against lefties. Expect Peterson to return to the lineup Saturday against right-hander Carlos Martinez.

Ramirez is starting in left field and hitting ninth Friday against the White Sox.

So far it appears that Ramirez will hit near the top of the order against righties (usually second) and at the bottom of the order against lefties while serving as the go-to left fielder while Michael Brantley is out. Of course, with shoddy options at the other outfield positions, Ramirez could emerge as a starting option even after Brantley comes back if he continues to hit at a solid clip.

LeMahieu will slide back to eighth in the order for Friday's game against the Padres.

LeMahieu batted out of the leadoff spot for Wednesday's game against the Diamondbacks and answered the bell by going 2-for-4 with a home run and two runs. However, with Charlie Blackmon back in the top spot Friday, LeMahieu will slide back down to the bottom third of the order. He'll be facing San Diego right-hander Colin Rea.

Rendon went 2-for-5 with a double and a run scored in Thursday's loss to the Marlins.

He's got just three hits through three games to begin the season, but Rendon's capable of heating up at any time. Given his career .471 OBP in 17 plate appearances against Miami starter Tom Koehler, he could be producing a lot of RBI opportunities Saturday for Bryce Harper and Ryan Zimmerman.

Donaldson did not take ground balls on the new dirt infield at the Rogers Centre on Thursday, but manager John Gibbons expects him to start Friday against the Red Sox, the Toronto Sun reports.

If the third baseman can play Friday, he'll have a nice matchup with Red Sox pitcher Joe Kelly on the hill as Donaldson is 8-for-14 against the right-hander in his career. Also, it will be the home opener for the Blue Jays at the Rogers Centre, where Donaldson did most of his damage last season, slashing .330/.398/.647 while hitting 24 home runs.