MLB Player News

Rockies slugger Carlos Gonzalez clobbered his 40th homer of the season Tuesday in a loss to Arizona.

In so doing, Gonzalez and Nolan Arenado (41 homers) became the first pair of Rockies teammates to reach the 40-homer plateau in the same season since 1997. Gonzalez leads the major leagues with 27 second-half bombs.

Indians third baseman Giovanny Urshela (shoulder) remains out of the lineup Tuesday against the Twins.

According to Jordan Bastian of MLB.com, the Indians remain undecided on what to do with Urshela, who is now set to miss his 11th straight start as a result of the shoulder injury. Technically, Urshela's not shut down, but manager Terry Francona will not return Urshela to action unless he receives the green light from the training staff.

Athletics infielder Danny Valencia (elbow) is in the lineup for Monday's game against the Angels, Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.

Valencia will get the start Monday despite taking a pitch off the elbow the day before. He will bat cleanup against Angels starter Hector Santiago.

Indians infielder Jose Ramirez was scratched from Monday's lineup against the Twins.

Ramirez was initially slated to bat fifth and play third base, but Mike Aviles will assume the hot corner duties in the new lineup. It's unclear if the 23-year-old suffered a late setback, but the move may have been a reaction to a late pitching change by the Twins, switching from the right-handed Phil Hughes to southpaw Tommy Milone.

Twins third  baseman Trevor Plouffe (illness) is back in the lineup Monday against the Indians, LaVelle E. Neal of the Minneapolis Star Tribune reports.

Plouffe was held out of the lineup Sunday with an illness, but it was apparently not a major issue as he's back in the lineup Monday. He'll serve his usual third base duties and bat fifth.

Indians third baseman Giovanny Urshela (shoulder) is not in the lineup Monday against the Twins, Jordan Bastian of MLB.com reports.

Urshela has been sidelined since Sept. 17 with a shoulder injury, and there is still no clear timetable for a return at this point. Jose Ramirez will continue to fill in at third base, batting fifth Monday.

Rockies second baseman DJ LeMahieu went 1 for 4 with two RBI and three runs scored in Sunday's win over the Dodgers.

Despite finishing with a lone base hit in his four at-bats, LaMahieu would drive home runs on a fielder's choice and a sacrifice bunt. LeMahieu's lack of power typically prevents him from serving as much of a run producer, but his 59 RBI on the season are quite serviceable from a middle infielder.

Rockies third baseman Nolan Arenado went 2 for 3 with a home run and a walk, while scoring two runs and driving in five in a victory over the Dodgers on Sunday.

He's now hit home runs in consecutive days against the Dodgers, continuing his torrid September. Through 26 games, the 24-year-old has a .330/.351/.698 slash line, while totaling 11 home runs and 31 RBI.

His success this season hasn't really been a productive of Coors Field either. His numbers in visiting ballparks (.250/.285/.525, 21 HR and 52 RBI) are not far off from his home numbers (.313/.350/.610, 20 HR and 74 RBI).

Athletics third baseman Danny Valencia is considered day to day after taking a pitch off of the elbow Sunday, Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle reports. 

Valencia was hit on the elbow pad by a pitch, causing him to leave the game after logging just one at-bat. X-rays returned negative and Valencia told reporters he's fine, but the team is considering him day to day nonetheless.

Twins third baseman Trevor Plouffe is out of the lineup Sunday against Detroit, per LaVelle E. Neal of the Minneapolis Star Tribune.

Plouffe hasn't had a day off since Sept. 9, so the third baseman was likely overdue. But it does come as a bit of a surprise considering Minnesota is in the midst of a heated playoff race. Plouffe is hitless in five of his last six games, which might better explain his absence.