MLB Player News

Twins pitcher Trevor Plouffe went 2 for 5 with a three-run homer in his team's 7-2 win over the Red Sox on Monday.

The Twins put together a six-run second inning to extend their lead to 7-0, and the final blow came on Plouffe's home run to left field, which was followed by a Kurt Suzuki single before Boston starter Joe Kelly was yanked from the game. Plouffe has hit .270/.353/.474 with seven home runs and 25 RBI in 152 at-bats.

Rockies third baseman Nolan Arenado went 3 for 4 at the plate in Colorado's 5-4 win over the Reds on Monday.

Arenado started things off in the first when he ripped an RBI single to left field. Then in the fourth, Arenado blasted a solo shot to deep left center field off of Jason Marquis, his ninth of the season.

"I just want to do what I can. When I have the opportunity to drive runs in, I'm going to do my best to do it," Arenado said to MLB.com. "It's not going to work out every time."

Arenado is now hitting .287 with 28 RBI in 157 at-bats this season.

"His defense is always elite, every day," Rockies manager Walt Weiss said. "He had gone through a tough stretch offensively, but he's definitely beyond that."

Twins shortstop Danny Santana is out of the lineup for a second straight game Monday, replaced by Eduardo Escobar for the game against the Red Sox. 

Santana has had a rough week at the plate, going 1-for-16 with five strikeouts and no wallks. The free-swinging Santana has just two walks in 157 plate appearances this season. 

The Twins (+103) are slight underdogs per VegasInsider.com. 

Twins third baseman Trevor Plouffe responded to a minor skid with a solid week that saw him raise his batting average by 11 points, as he picked up at least one hit in five of his last six contests. 

Plouffe is now hitting .265 on the year with six homers and 22 RBIs, and he's done much of his damage at pitcher-friendly Target Field, where he's registered five of his longballs and 17 of his RBIs. 

Third baseman Nolan Arenado helped spark the Rockies' offense to a big performance against the Giants, as he went 4-for-5 with 4 RBIs in Colorado's 11-2 victory Sunday. 

Arenado scored the Rockies' first two runs and then put the capper on Colorado's eight-run fourth inning with a three-run homer, his eighth of the season. 

Arenado fell just a double short of the cycle, as he hit his first triple of the season. All four of Arenado's RBIs came with two outs, as he lifted his average to .275 on the season. 

Nationals third baseman Anthony Rendon is expected to play in a simulated game on Monday and play 3-4 innings, according to MLB.com.

Rendon, who is currently on the 15-day DL with knee and oblique injuries, was able to participate in batting practice on Saturday. He has taken part in baseball activities, but this will be his first game action since suffering the injuries. Rendon is yet to play this season after posting a .287 average with 21 home runs and 83 RBI in 2014.

After playing both games of Saturday's doubleheader, Rockies outfielder Carlos Gonzalez is getting the day off on Sunday against the Giants. 

Brandon Barnes will fill in for Gonzalez and bat sixth. 

Infielder DJ LeMahieu is also getting the day off. Daniel Descalso will play second base instead. Ben Paulsen is filling in for Wilin Rosario, who also has the day off. 

Twins catcher Kurt Suzuki was out of the starting lineup on Sunday. Suzuki was replaced by Chris Herrmann, who gets his ninth start behind the plate. 

Shortstop Danny Santana also misses a start. He's replaced by Eduardo Escobar for the fifth time this season. 

Right fielder Torii Hunter also gets a day away from the field, starting at DH.

Athletics third baseman Brett Lawrie is out of the starting lineup for the second straight game. 

Lawrie has missed the time due to overall soreness. He's replaced at third by Max Muncy, who gets his fourth time this year. 

Blue Jays DH Jose Bautista received a cortisone shot in his shoulder, per Toronto's 590 AM. Bautista is out of the lineup Sunday and will likely miss Monday as well. 

Edwin Encarnacion moves to DH from first base to replace Bautista, with Justin Smoak getting the start at first. 

Munenori Kawasaki also gets his second start of the year second base, replacing Steve Tolleson. 

Danny Valencia also gets a rest. Chris Colabello moves over from right field to left to replace him. Ezequiel Carrera replaces Colabello in right.