MLB Player News

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. 

The Twins demoted infielder Eduardo Escobar to Triple-A Rochester following Sunday's game against the Yankees. Escobar heads to the minors mired in a 3-for-28 slump in his last 13 games (seven starts).

Rays third baseman Evan Longoria smacked an RBI double to deep left-center field in the 5-0 win over the Astros Sunday. Longoria finished 1 for 3 with a walk and two strikeouts in the game. 

Batting .278 on the season, Longoria has gone just 5 for 36 (.139) over his last 10 games. He has just one homer and one double over that span as his only hits for extra bases with just four RBI and 11 strikeouts. 

Twins third baseman Trevor Plouffe homered Saturday in New York during a 4-1 win. Plouffe's 10th homer came in the second inning off Phil Hughes.

He finished 1 for 4 and is batting .262. Plouffe has three homers in his last 10 games with four RBI.

Rays third baseman Evan Longoria hit his 18th home run Thursday against the Twins.

Longoria hit a solo shot off Mike Pelfrey in the sixth inning. He finished 1 for 4, with an RBI. Longoria is hitting .284.