MLB Player News

The Royals have benched designated hitter Billy Butler on Wednesday against the White Sox in favor of Danny Valencia. Butler continues to struggle, particularly in regard to his power numbers. He has just one home run since June 14 and three doubles since June 19. His .267/.320/.347 stat line pales in comparison to those he has compiled in previous seasons.

Jose Ramirez is not the prime shortstop prospect for the Indians - that distinction belongs to Francisco Lindor. But Ramirez has already received a chance to display his wares at the big league level and has now gotten another with a promotion to Cleveland.

Ramirez could serve as the starter with Asdrubal Cabrera dealing with a back problem. He has been torrid with Triple-A Columbus, racking up seven hits in his last four games, including three doubles and a triple, to sweeten his stat line to .302/.360/.441.

Rockies third baseman Nolan Arenado has been struggling to hit for power since returning from a thumb injury, but he didn't struggle in the third inning of a Tuesday night loss to Washington.

Arenado slammed his first homer since May 5, a two-run job against Jordan Zimmermann. Despite the power outage, Arenado does have nine hits in his last eight games.

Cubs infielder Mike Olt has been optioned to Triple-A Tuesday.

Olt has struggled this season, hitting just .139 over 187 at-bats. He's been able to provide some pop, hitting 12 home runs. Olt was optioned following Tuesday's game. He went 0 for 4, with three strikeouts. 

Rays third baseman Evan Longoria went 1 for 4 with a solo home run in his team's 7-2 win over the Cardinals Tuesday.

Longora waited until the last possible moment to deliver his blast, knocking his home run with two outs in the ninth inning. He has hit .262/.336/.400 with 12 home runs and 49 RBI in 390 at-bats.

Orioles third baseman Manny Machado is out of the lineup Tuesday with tightness in his lower back, the Baltimore Sun reports.

Machado is just 1 for 10 over his last three games but is still hitting .267/.317/.422 with 10 home runs and 23 RBI in 258 at-bats. He's day-to-day with the back issue.

Pirates third baseman Pedro Alvarez was removed from Tuesday's game with a knee issue.

Alvarez left the game with left knee discomfort. He was 1 for 2, with a double, before being removed from the game. 

Royals infielder Danny Valencia was unable to return to the lineup Tuesday against the White Sox, after he was hit by a pitch on the left hand Monday. He is day to day at this point. 

Phillies third baseman Cody Asche put together a solid performance Monday, though it came ina  7-4 loss to the Giants.

Asche went 3 for 4 with three singles in the loss, just one night after he struck out in all four of his at-bats. He scored once in the loss.

Asche is hitting .256/.306/.401 in 227 at-bats on the season.  

Royals infielder Danny Valencia underwent X-rays Monday after getting hit on the left hand by a pitch but the tests came back negative, the Kansas City Star reports.

Valencia went 1 for 2 and drove in the team's only run of the the game before being removed. He has hit .295/.342/.400 with two home runs and 11 RBI in 105 at-bats.