MLB Player News

Pirates third baseman Pedro Alvarez continued to produce Wednesday, as he slugged his 21st home run of the season in a  6-5 win over the Phillies.

Alvarez drove in three with his fifth-inning homer off John Lannan, just his third off a left-handed pitcher this season. He finished the game 2 for 4 with one run scored and three driven in, while striking out twice.

Alvarez has hit 11 of his 21 home runs since June 1, with five of them coming in his last 11 games. He ranks third in the National League in home runs and sixth in RBI, with 56. 

Rays third baseman Evan Longoria said that his plantar fasciitis felt fine as he played through the pain Tuesday as the designated hitter, The Tampa Tribune reports. That said, Longoria doesn't know when he'll be able to get back in the field. 

Longoria, who started at DH again Wednesday, said he'd obviously rather play in the field, but he knows he can be more effective as the DH for the time being. 

The Orioles optioned infielder Danny Valencia to Triple-A Norfolk Wednesday, MLB.com reports. Valencia was optioned to make room for the addition of starter Scott Feldman. 

Valencia hit .230 with the Orioles with four homers and eight RBI over 61 at-bats. He could resurface with the team later in the summer. 

Athletics third baseman Josh Donaldson started July how he finished June -- with a home run. Donaldson homered, drove in two runs and finished 2 for 4 with two runs scored Tuesday against the Cubs.

Donaldson has homered four times in his last six games and is slugging .755 in his last 14 games. He is also batting .388 (19 for 49) with three doubles, five home runs, 12 runs, 13 RBI and seven walks in his last 14 games.

Rays third baseman Evan Longoria was back in the lineup as the designated hitter Tuesday in Houston. Longoria wasn't able to run full speed, but he notched two hits and a walk. 

Longoria went 2 for 4 with a walk and two singles. He's batting .301. Manager Joe Maddon said before the game he was unsure when Longoria would be able to play third again. The Rays will take things day by day with him. 

Rays third baseman Evan Longoria, who returned to the order Tuesday in Houston as the designated hitter, is not able to run at full speed, the Tampa Bay Times reports. Manager Joe Maddon may have to pinch-run for him late in the game. 

Maddon is unsure when Longoria will return to play third base. It could come Wednesday, but the Rays will take it day by day with the star 3B. 

Rays third baseman Evan Longoria returned to the starting lineup, batting fourth in Houston. Longoria has missed time due to an aggravation of his plantar fasciitis, the Tampa Bay Times reports. 

Longoria was limited to designated hitting Tuesday against the Astros after missing three straight starts. He's avoided the disabled list but may stay off his feet as much as the Rays can afford in the short term. 

As expected, Rays third baseman Evan Longoria was held out of the starting lineup Monday at Houston, which was the third straight game he didn't start as he deals with plantar fasciitis. Rays manager Joe Maddon said Sunday he was hopeful Longoria would avoid a stint on the disabled list and return to the lineup during the team's four-game series at Houston.

Longoria said his foot is feeling better each day and he feels he might be able to pinch-hit Monday. However, he has to test his foot running prior to the game.

The return of Nationals outfielder Bryce Harper has pushed Anthony Rendon down in the lineup.

With Harper back, Jayson Werth moves to the two-spot. Rendon has been pushed down to seventh against Brewers pitcher Yovani Gallardo. Rendon has also been mired in an 0-for-17 slump, which may have prompted the move. 

Rendon is hitting .310/.360/.431 in 116 at-bats. 

Athletics third baseman Josh Donaldson finished June with a home run and double during Sunday's 7-5 win against the Cardinals. It was his sixth multi-hit game in his last 13 starts.

Donaldson is batting .378 (17 for 45) with three doubles, four home runs, 10 runs, 11 RBI and seven walks in his last 13 games. Donaldson's hot streak comes after he hit .121 (4 for 33) over an eight-game span from June 6-15.