MLB Player News

Minnesota third baseman Trevor Plouffe returned to the lineup Friday and went 2-for-3 with a double during the Twins' 9-7 loss to the Yankees in Grapefruit League action. The outing was Plouffe's first exhibition game since March 8 as he had been nursing a lingering calf injury.

Projected to serve as the team's starting third baseman this season, Plouffe notched his fifth multi-hit performance of the spring to push his batting average to .433 after 10 games.

The Orioles optioned third baseman Danny Valencia to Triple-A Norfolk Thursday.

Valencia was in the middle of a solid spring, hitting .323/.417/.484 in 36 plate appearances, but the 28-year-old will open the season at Triple-A after hitting .188/.199/.299 in the majors last season.

Twins third baseman Trevor Plouffe suffered no setbacks in his minor-league action, manager Ron Gardenhire told MLB.com, and Plouffe is on track to re-join the Twins in Grapefruit League action Friday.

Plouffe has been dealing with a calf injury that has kept him out since March 10 but is expected to be ready by opening day.

Colorado top prospect Nolan Arenado was very hot early in the spring but had since scuffled pretty badly, reports MLB.com. On Tuesday, he warmed up again. The Rockies' top position prospect at third base, Arenado had four early spring home runs only to struggle thereafter. He went 3 for 4 on Tuesday and is now batting .314 on the spring. 

With incumbent third baseman Chris Nelson struggling this spring with a .238 average, the 22-year-old Arenado is trying to win a starting job.

"Nolan needs to keep a good pace, slow the game down," Rockies manager Walt Weiss said. "He's done a nice job this spring. It's good to see him get a few more hits."

Orioles utility infield candidate Danny Valencia showed some late-game heroics in Tuesday's Grapefruit League game against the Red Sox. Valencia, who had been dealing with tendinitis in his knee last week, made a pinch-hit appearance and crushed a solo home run off Terry Doyle in the ninth inning to give the Orioles an 8-7 victory. He is batting .323 with a home run and four RBI in 31 at-bats this spring.

Pirates third baseman Pedro Alvarez will likely start the season in the four-hole, MLB.com reports. Alvarez is batting .161 with three RBI in 31 at-bats this spring. Manager Clint Hurdle expects him to pick it up once the season starts.

"We'll be best served when he puts his foot down and takes ownership of that spot," Hurdle said. "You'd like to find a guy you can put in there and leave alone, and Pedro is definitely one we're considering."

Alvarez played just 19 games last season, hitting .170 with two homers and three RBI. 

The Rangers made another wave of roster cuts Tuesday, optioning pitchers Jeff Beliveau and Wilmer Font, outfielder Engel Beltre and first baseman Mike Olt to Triple-A Round Rock. Texas also moved first basemen Brandon Allen and Brandon Snyder, catchers Jose Felix and Juan Apodaca, pitchers Collin Balester, Neal Cotts, Evan Meek and Yoshinori Tateyama to its minor-league camp.

Olt is viewed as one of the club's top prospects, but struggled during his spring audition and hit just .194 in Cactus League play. The 24-year-old did manage two homers and should rise to the Rangers later in the year.

Trevor Plouffe is expected to play in a Twins minor-league game on Tuesday, Rhett Bollinger of MLB.com reports. The third baseman hasn't played since he suffered a calf injury March 10. Barring a reaggravation of the injury, Plouffe is expected to be available for the Twins on opening day. He owns an .878 OPS in 30 spring training appearances so far.

Athletics third baseman Josh Donaldson hit his first official home run of the spring off White Sox pitcher Chris Sale on Saturday. Donaldson had homered twice this spring but both games were rained out and didn't count. He's had a disappointing spring with three singles in 27 at-bats coming into Saturday.

"I actually feel pretty good about where I am right now," Donaldson told MLB.com before the game. "I think I've lined out about 15 times. It's one of those things where, by the time the season rolls around, they're falling in."

Donaldson could serve as the team's regular third baseman this season, but offseason trade acquisition Jed Lowrie could also be a factor at the hot corner for the Athletics.

MASNSports.com reports Saturday that Orioles utility infield candidate Danny Valencia is dealing with a case of tendinitis in his knee. The Orioles gave him an MRI, which ruled out structural damage.