MLB Player News

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.

Rockies third baseman Nolan Arenado swatted a grand slam in the bottom of the first inning of Saturday's win over the Dodgers, giving him 40 homers for the season.

Arenado became the first Rockies player to finish with at least 40 homers in a season since Coors Field began placing baseballs in a humidor in 2002. It's been a tremendous year for Arenado, who looks like the leading candidate to take home both Silver Slugger and Gold Glove honors at third base for the National League.

Rockies second baseman DJ LeMahieu singled three times, scored two runs and drove in another in Saturday's 8-6 win over the Dodgers.

After resting for Friday's series opener, LeMahieu re-entered the lineup Saturday in grand style, submitting his third three-hit game of September. The last of LeMahieu's singles helped ignite the Rockies' walk-off victory, as he led off the bottom of the ninth with the base hit before Carlos Gonzalez followed with a game-ending, two-run homer.

Indians infielder Jose Ramirez went 3 for 5 with a double, triple, RBI and three runs scored in Saturday's 9-5 victory over the Royals.

The 23-year-old has had a rough season with the bat, but Saturday's performance was one of his best of the season. Ramirez's bat has been hot at the plate all month and is in the midst of a four-game stretch where he is hitting .421 (8 for 19) with two doubles, a triple, a homer, three RBI and six runs scored. His September average is also up to .333 after Saturday's effort, easily making it his most prolific month with the bat all season.

Twins shortstop Eduardo Escobar went 2 for 4 with a triple, homer, three RBI and two runs scored in a 6-2 victory over the Tigers.

The standout night was an extension of an impressive September for Escobar, who is now hitting .314 with four homers and 16 RBI during the month. The 26-year-old has also hit safely in five out of the last six contests, with three multi-hit outings during that span and eight overall for the month. Escobar has provided some solid offensive production out of the shortstop position for the Twins in 2015, with 30 doubles, four triples, 12 homers and a .268/.309/.459 line.

Giants third baseman Matt Duffy went 1 for 4 with a home run, two RBI and two runs scored in a 5-4 loss to Oakland on Friday.

The breakout season continues for Duffy, as he recorded his 11th homer and 73rd RBI on Friday. All the numbers across the board are great, as he has a .299 average and 11 steals to go along with hat nice RBI total. Duffy showed almost no power in college and in the minors and it remains to be seen if he can maintain this going into next season.

White Sox third baseman Mike Olt was 1 for 4 with a solo home run in a winning effort against the Yankees on Friday night

Olt missed a game with a sore shoulder, but was back in the lineup against southpaw C.C. Sabathia. He has some pop, the home run was his fourth as the White Sox evaluate his potential for next season, but his lackluster .200 batting average is not very encouraging.

Blue Jays third baseman Josh Donaldson was 1 for 3 with a solo home run in Toronto's win over Tampa Bay on Friday night.

We are running out of complimentary words to describe Donaldson's season. He now has 40 home runs - he passed 40 doubles on Wednesday - and 121 RBI to go with a very handy .301 average. Expect to see him prominently featured in MVP discussions as the season comes to a close.

Rockies All-Star second baseman DJ LeMahieu is not in the lineup Friday against the Dodgers, Eric Stephen of True Blue LA reports.

LeMahieu had started four straight games coming into Friday, but it appears to just be a regular day off. Rafael Ynoa will take over at second base in his absence and bat eighth.

Indians third baseman Giovanny Urshela (shoulder) is not in the lineup Friday against the Royals.

Urshela is nursing a shoulder injury and will now miss his seventh straight contest as a result. Jose Ramirez will man the hot corner in his stead and bat ninth.