MLB Player News

Escobar went 1-for-6 with a two-run home run and a stolen base in Sunday's 6-5 loss to Oakland.

Escobar followed in the footsteps of fellow infielder Brian Dozier, homering in his first at-bat before making five consecutive outs as this 12-inning contest progressed. The versatile switch-hitter has now hit double-digit long balls twice in the past three seasons.

Machado went 3-for-4 with two doubles, a walk and two runs scored in Sunday's 10-6 win over the Rangers.

Machado entered this one in the midst of a major power slump, with just one extra-base hit in the past 14 games. He still hasn't launched a homer since hitting two back on July 7, but this was a major step in the right direction. Machado's .243/.311/.435 line has to be viewed as a massive disappointment after he posted an OPS over .860 in each of the previous two seasons.

Bregman went 1-for-4 with a solo home run to account for the Astros' lone run in Sunday's 13-1 loss to the Tigers.

Bregman, who came up through the organization as a shortstop, hasn't provided the power normally associated with a corner infielder this season, but he has powered up the last week. Six of his last seven hits have gone for extra bases, including three home runs.

Moustakas is out of the lineup Sunday against the Red Sox, Jeffrey Flanagan of MLB.com reports.

Manager Ned Yost will move two of his lefty-hitting regulars, Moustakas and Brandon Moss, to the bench for the series finale with southpaw Drew Pomeranz toeing the rubber for the Red Sox. Though he's been the Royals' top power hitter and is rapidly closing in on the franchise record of 36 home runs in a single season, Moustakas hasn't produced particularly well against lefty pitching this season, with his .752 OPS representing a 159-point drop from his mark against righties.

Donaldson is out of the lineup Sunday against the Angels, Ben Nicholson-Smith of Sportsnet.ca reports.

The Blue Jays will roll out their "B" lineup for the series finale, as Troy Tulowitzki's recent placement on the disabled list along with days off for Donaldson and Jose Bautista will leave the team without many impact bats in the top half of the batting order. Donaldson will rest for the first time since July 5 after slashing an underwhelming .239/.386/.366 over his last 20 starts.

Devers went 1-for-4 with a double and a run scored while making his Fenway Park debut in Boston's 4-2 loss to Kansas City on Friday.

In addition to Devers' debut in Boston, Eduardo Nunez made his debut in a Red Sox uniform Friday, serving as Boston's designated hitter. There's much speculation about Nunez's impact on Devers' playing time, but for one game there was room for both in the lineup. Manager John Farrell told Tim Britton of the Providence Journal that Nunez will get reps at first base, adding to his experience at the other three infield spots and both outfield corners. If Devers is hitting, Farrell will make it work so that both he and Nunez are getting plenty of at-bats.

Moncada batted cleanup for the first time in his career Friday and went 1-for-3 with a walk and an RBI double in a 9-3 loss to the Indians.

Manager Rick Renteria is experimenting with Moncada, having him hit out of several spots in the batting order. He's also batted second, fifth and sixth since being called up from Triple-A Charlotte. More important than where Moncada hits in the lineup is the lineup as a whole. The players around him in the order will have more impact on his production, and there just isn't much to fear about the White Sox, who twice this week have broken up no-hitters in the fifth inning. Over the last five games, Chicago has scored 12 runs and hit .201.

Ramirez went 4-for-5 with a home run, four runs scored and three RBI in Friday's 9-3 win over the White Sox.

It's his 18th homer of the year but first since the All-Star break, breaking him out of a .212 (11-for-52) funk since his appearance in the Midsummer Classic. Despite the slump, Ramirez is still well on pace for career highs in just about every offensive category this season except steals.

Moustakas went 1-for-4 with a three-run homer Friday against the Red Sox.

Moustakas smashed his 30th homer of the season to break open a close game, helping to lead the Royals to a road win. The 28-year-old continues to mash, as he's provided fantasy owners with a .568 slugging percentage, a number he's never come close to approaching during his career. He'll continue to be one of the very best fantasy options at the hot corner.

Escobar is not in Friday's lineup against the A's, LaVelle E. Neal of the Star Tribune reports.

Escobar receives a day off after starting the past five games, going 4-for-18 with one home run and three RBI during that span. In his place, Ehire Adrianza draws the start at shortstop while batting eighth in the order.