MLB Player News

Longoria went 2-for-3 with a solo home run, an additional run scored and a walk in Tuesday's 8-4 win over the Rays.

Longoria isn't seeing consistent playing time, but he's swatted six of his 11 homers this year over his last 13 games. In that span, he's gone 12-for-39 (.308) with 13 RBI, three doubles and a 6:10 BB:K. The veteran third baseman remains stuck in a part-time role, though he continues to make the most of his opportunities. He's up to a passable .244/.301/.569 slash line across 40 contests this season.

Donaldson went 1-for-4 with a solo home run in Tuesday's 2-1 loss to the Athletics.

Donaldson accounted for the Yankees' offense against one of his former teams, but the rest of his teammates didn't do much. The third baseman was benched for three consecutive games versus the Rangers over the weekend, but he's expected to maintain a starting role at third base. He's hardly earned it with a .132/.200/.441 slash line, seven homers, nine RBI, 10 runs scored and no doubles through 75 plate appearances this season, though there's still clearly some power in his bat on the rare occasion he makes contact. Donaldson is also striking out at a 29.3 percent rate, his worst mark since a 14-game cup of coffee in 2010.

Rays manager Kevin Cash told reporters after Tuesday's loss that Walls (back) won't return to the starting lineup Wednesday against the Diamondbacks, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Cash confirmed that Walls is day-to-day with the injury. The infielder was scheduled to hit seventh and play second base versus Arizona on Tuesday, but he was scratched from the lineup due to tightness in the middle of his back. With Walls out of the lineup, it's likely Isaac Paredes will get another start at second base in his absence.

Walls was scratched from the lineup on Tuesday against the Diamondbacks with tightness in the middle of his back, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Walls was originally scheduled to hit seventh against Zac Gallen and the D-Backs, but the back issue kept him from playing Tuesday. Isaac Paredes moved over to second base with Yandy Diaz playing third and Luke Raley playing first.

Moncada (back) was able to participate in defensive drills prior to Tuesday's game versus the Angels, Scott Merkin of MLB.com reports.

Merkin notes that hitting is more an issue than defense right now in terms of Moncada's back soreness, but it's still a positive sign to see the infielder taking part in drills. The 28-year-old has been out since the middle of June because of the injury, and he's not expected back until the start of July at the earliest.

The Dodgers reinstated Muncy (hamstring) from the 10-day injured list Tuesday, Eric Stephen of SBNation.com reports.

Muncy landed on the injured list June 16 with a left hamstring strain and will now return as the Dodgers' primary third baseman. The 32-year-old slugger was slashing .094/.237/.219 through 38 plate appearances in June prior to getting hurt. Muncy's return will send Michael Busch back to Triple-A Oklahoma City as a corresponding move.

The Dodgers optioned Busch to Triple-A Oklahoma City on Tuesday, Eric Stephen of SBNation.com reports.

With Max Muncy (hamstring) returning from the injured list Tuesday, Busch will be pushed off the Dodgers' major-league roster. The 25-year-old infielder slashed just .192/.250/.308 across 28 plate appearances after getting called up June 16, but his .313 average and .968 OPS at the Triple-A level thus far this season suggest Busch could eventually earn another promotion.

Rendon (wrist) will take on-field batting practice Tuesday, Jeff Fletcher of The Orange County Register reports.

Rendon has been eased along in his recovery from a left wrist contusion, which sent him to the 10-day injured list June 19, retroactive to June 16. It's looking like he might be ready for activation in the early part of July, but the Angels have not announced an exact timetable.

Rivera is not in the starting lineup Tuesday versus the Rays.

Rivera will remain on the bench for the second game in a row and the third time in the last four contests. Evan Longoria will draw another start at third base and bat sixth in the series opener with Tampa Bay. Managers with Rivera on their fantasy team shouldn't yet worry about him falling out of regular playing time, however, considering he's batting .314 with 11 extra-base hits over 140 at-bats with Arizona this season.

The Angels activated Escobar from the restricted list Tuesday, Jeff Fletcher of The Orange County Register reports.

Escobar was excused from the team Monday to take -- and successfully pass -- his United States citizenship test. He is not in the Angels' starting lineup Tuesday night against the White Sox but should be available off the bench.