MLB Player News

Rays third baseman Evan Longoria homered for the second time in three games Sunday against the Blue Jays. His solo home run leading off the fourth inning off R.A. Dickey was his 20th.

Longoria has homered three times in 16 July games but is batting .172 (10 for 58) for the month. Longoria has a double, eight RBI and 12 walks.

Brewers shortstop Jean Segura stole two bases while going 1 for 4 at the plate in his team's 2-0 win over the Marlins Friday. Segura swiped both second and third base after reaching on an infield single in the first inning.

Segura has hit .324/.362/.484 with 11 home runs, 36 RBI and 29 stolen bases in 376 at-bats.

The Orioles have recalled Danny Valencia for Friday's game against Texas, MLB.com reports. Valencia has played 21 games for the Orioles this year with a .230/.277/.508 line and four home runs.

Rangers infield prospect Mike Olt and pitching prospect C.J. Edwards are in play in trade talks for Cubs pitcher Matt Garza, Fox Sports reports. A deal between the teams is reportedly getting closer to completion.

The Cubs have asked teams for final offers for Garza, who has been one of the most discussed names on the trade market this season. While the Rangers appear to be the furthest along in trade talks, other teams are thought to be involved in discussions for Garza.

Orioles infielder Danny Valencia will likely be promoted Thursday, according to MASN.

Valencia is no longer listed with Triple-A Norfolk and will likely replace someone going to the disabled list. Valencia is hitting .230/.277/.508 in 61 at-bats. 

Phillies third baseman Michael Young's name has come up plenty in trade rumors. His status definitely could have an impact on third-base prospect Cody Asche, who is enjoying a strong campaign for Triple-A Lehigh Valley.

Asche, who is ranked by MLB.com as the Phillies' ninth-best prospect, is batting .288 with a .453 slugging percentage and .802 OPS in 93 games. He has four triples, 10 home runs, 11 stolen bases, 21 doubles and 56 RBI. He's committed 11 errors and has a .955 fielding percentage.

The Phillies are still trying to decide whether to be sellers at the July 31 trade deadline. If they still want to make a run at the postseason, they would likely keep Young for his veteran presence in the clubhouse. If he is dealt, then it opens the door for Asche's arrival.

Though if Young is dealt, I would personally like to see the Phillies promote Maikel Franco, who is at Double-A Reading. Franco has the higher upside than Asche and is having a monster year. If the Phillies put up the white flag, why not give Franco a taste of the majors before he competes for a roster spot next spring?

Adrian Beltre doesn't figure to vacate the third base spot in Texas anytime soon, but at age 24, Mike Olt is ready to break through in the majors. The Rangers know they're running out of time to redeem his value, which is why they're trying to make him the centerpiece of a deal for Matt Garza.

But even if Olt doesn't go to the Cubs, he's a pretty safe bet to go somewhere at the trade deadline, and wherever he goes, he's pretty much sure to start right away. He's at the point where staying in the minors is doing him more harm than good.

Then again, would you really want him in Fantasy? He's hitting .211 at Triple-A Round Rock. Keep in mind, though, he was dealing with blurred vision for the first month or so. Since returning to the lineup May 31, he's batting .247 with eight homers in 174 at-bats. At worst, he's like a more patient version of Juan Francisco, which makes him worth stashing in deeper Rotisserie leagues.

Major-league sources said the Rangers are believed to be offering infield prospect Mike Olt as part of a deal to acquire Cubs starting pitcher Matt Garza, reports CSN Chicago. However, Olt has dealt with vision problems in 2013 and several scouts are wary of making Olt the centerpiece to the trade.

It shouldn't be overly surprising Rockies rookie third baseman Nolan Arenado has better numbers at Coors Field than on the road. His numbers on the road took a big hit right before the All-Star break, too, as Arenado hit .125 (4 for 32) with no extra-base hits and one RBI during a 10-game road trip to Arizona, San Diego and Los Angeles.

It should be noted that this was the second, and in some cases a third time, the Diamondbacks, Padres and Dodgers were getting a look at the rookie third baseman, so no doubt they had better scouting reports. It's now up to Arenado, who is batting .244, to turn the table on the opposition and start living up to his immense potential.

Should Fantasy owners give up on the rookie third baseman? Depends on your format. If you can afford to stash Arenado as he experiences the ups and downs of being a rookie, then he's worth a bench spot. If you are in a shallow format, then it's forseeable to envision dropping Arenado as we wait for his breakout run.

Twins third baseman Trevor Plouffe went 2 for 5 with three runs scored a 10-4 win at New York Sunday. He singled twice and is batting .265. 

The 27-year-old is 5 for 13 during a three-game hitting streak with a homer and RBI over that stretch. He's scored four runs in his last two games. Plouffe enters the break with 10 home runs and 34 RBI in 238 at-bats.