MLB Player News

Though Mike Moustakas' demotion is the big news of the day, he was already demoted in the hearts and minds of Fantasy owners, who are more focused on what seemed like a side note to everyone else: his replacement.

Danny Valencia has the potential to be ... OK. If he makes the most of this opportunity and doesn't force the Royals to seek out alternatives, he'll probably put up numbers somewhere in the Trevor Plouffe-Casey McGehee range. He's been far more effective against lefties than righties in his career, which may cause his batting average to tank over time, but at his best, he's a decent contact hitter with gap power.

As weak as third base his proven to be this year, that sort of player has value in Fantasy, just as Plouffe and McGehee have so far, but not as more than a last resort in leagues where corner infield spots have consumed much of the third base pool.

In AL-only leagues, Valencia obviously needs to be owned, but otherwise, he's probably not a game changer.

Royals general manager Dayton Moore announced Thursday that Danny Valencia is now the full-time starting third baseman for the Royals , per the Kansas City Star. That became official upon the demotion of Mike Moustakas, with whom he had been platooning.

Valencia has primarily played against left-handers, against whom he is batting .333. But he has six hits in 22 at-bats against righties as well and boasts an impressive .308/.362/.423 stat line on the year.

He has not served as a full-time starter since 2011 with Minnesota.

Twins third baseman Trevor Plouffe went 2 for 4 with a solo home run in his team's 2-0 win over the Padres Wednesday.

Plouffe has posted three straight two-hit games and five multihit performances in his last eight games, with two of his three home runs this season during that stretch. He has hit .257/.337/.427 with 29 RBI in 171 at-bats.

Joe Maddon has gone back to an experiment he tried briefly in the summer of 2013 by batting slugger Evan Longoria second for the game Wednesday night for the Rays against Oakland. He last played that spot on July 31, 2013.

Longoria hasn't had a multi-hit game since May 11 and is just 3 for 26 since to lower his batting average from .282 to .257. His four home runs in 175 at-bats this season is also a disappointment.

Nationals third baseman Anthony Rendon was not in the team's starting lineup Wednesday against the Reds.

Rendon received a normal day of rest. Kevin Frandsen got the start at third in his place. Rendon has slumped badly in May, and it may just be a mental day off for the 23-year-old. Rendon is hitting .267/.315/.444 in 180 at-bats.

Rockies third baseman Nolan Arenado snapped out of his slump with a three-hit game Tuesday, but it was the last that really made an impact in a 5-4 win over the Giants.

Arenado went 3 for 5 in the game with two RBI, both of which came on his last swing of the game. He drove in the tying and winning runs in the ninth inning, on a walkoff double.

Arenado got his batting average back to .300, after it had fallen below for the first time Sunday. He is hitting .301/.327/.486 in 183 at-bats on the season. 

The Indians sent down first baseman Jesus Aguilar, pitcher T.J. House and infielder Jose Ramirez to Triple-A Columbus, reports MLB.com. 

Phillies third baseman Cody Asche could move to the outfield next season, according to Foxsports.com.

The team is discussing the move internally. If Asche were to move to a corner spot, it would allow prospect Maikel Franco to take over the starting role at third base. Asche is hitting .259 over 108 at-bats.

Cubs third baseman Mike Olt clubbed another home run Sunday against the Brewers. 

Olt picked up just one hit during the contest, but made it count. Olt led off the fourth inning against Brewers pitcher Marco Estrada. On the third pitch of the at-bat, he hit an 88 mph fastball out to left center for the solo shot. Olt finished the game 1 for 4, with one run scored and one RBI. 

Phillies third baseman Cody Asche came up big at the plate during Sunday's home win over the Reds.

Asche broke the game open with a three-run home run off reliever Manny Parra in the seventh inning. He added a single and finished 2 for 4 with one run scored and three RBI in an 8-3 victory. He has seven hits in his last 12 at-bats, raising his batting average from .219 to .259 on the season. He has four homers and 18 RBI in 108 at-bats.