MLB Player News

Machado (wrist) was available to pinch hit Sunday against the Yankees, and there's a possibility he'll be ready to play Monday against the White Sox, The Associated Press reports.

Prior to Sunday's contest, the All-Star third baseman hit off a tee, took groundballs and made some throws. The Orioles were crushed 14-3 in the game, giving skipper Buck Showalter no reason to deploy Machado as a pinch hitter, but it's encouraging to know he was available. Based on his activity level, there's reason to believe the 24-year-old is safe to start in weekly lineups this week.

Moustakas went 2-for-4 with a pair of home runs and three RBI in Sunday's win over the Padres.

He's up to 17 home runs through 56 games (the Royals have played 62), putting the third baseman on pace for a whopping 44 blasts this season (his career high of 22 was set in 2015). Moustakas also has a shot to drive in 100 runs for the first time in his seven MLB seasons, and his current .271/.310/.528 slash line is solidly ahead of his .249/.304/.414 career mark.

Machado (wrist) is out of the lineup Sunday against the Yankees, Eduardo A. Encina of The Baltimore Sun reports.

Machado will be on the bench for the fourth straight game with the strained wrist, but the Orioles have indicated that they don't expect their franchise player to require a trip to the disabled list. That may be enough reason for fantasy owners to keep Machado active for the upcoming week, though it's far from guaranteed he'll be ready to go for the Orioles' series opener Monday with the White Sox. Ruben Tejada will start at the hot corner Sunday in place of Machado.

Plouffe is out of the lineup Sunday against the Rays, Roger Mooney of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Plouffe will ride the pine for the third time in five games with manager Bob Melvin opting to make room in the lineup for the newly recalled Jaycob Brugman, who turned in a pair of two-hit efforts in Saturday's doubleheader. If Brugman continues to hit well, it wouldn't be surprising if Plouffe was gradually phased out of the lineup, as the veteran third baseman hasn't done much this season to warrant everyday at-bats. He's hitting .217/.279/.361 over 197 plate appearances, with all three batting marks representing career lows.

Longoria went 3-for-5 with two doubles, an RBI and two runs during Saturday's win over Oakland in the first game of the Rays' doubleheader.

The veteran is having another solid season with a .255/.320/.426 slash line, nine homers, 34 RBI and 33 runs, but it could prove difficult for him to repeat his 2016 numbers. Additionally, it appears last season was an outlier considering Longoria posted a .419 slugging percentage over the 2014 and 2015 campaigns. It's probably best to value Longoria as a middle-of-the-pack contributor and not a high-end third baseman.

Plouffe is out of the lineup for the second game of Saturday's doubleheader.

Plouffe started the first game Saturday, going 1-for-4 during the extra-inning loss and being replaced by Matt Olson as a pinch hitter during the top of the ninth. For the second game, Ryon Healy will take his place at third.

Valencia will get a day off Saturday as the Mariners face the Blue Jays.

Valencia has been in the starting lineup every game since coming back from a three-day absence due to a wrist injury on May 24, batting .350/.394/.467 in that span. For Saturday's contest, he will be replaced in the lineup by Taylor Motter at first base while Tyler Smith fills in at shortstop.

Manager Buck Showalter is optimistic that Machado (wrist) will be able to avoid a stint on the disabled list, MASN's Roch Kubatko reports.

Although Machado is set to miss his third straight game Saturday due to a strained wrist, it appears that his absence could be coming to an end sooner rather than later. Ruben Tejada will get the start at third base Saturday.

Machado (wrist) remains out of the lineup for Saturday's game against the Yankees.

Ruben Tejada will draw another start at third base Saturday with Machado still sidelined with a sore wrist. There's still no timetable for Machado's return after he was spiked on a slide by Andrew McCutchen on Wednesday, which leaves his status heading into Sunday's series finale in question.

Bregman finished 2-for-3 with one home run and two RBI against the Angels on Friday.

After homering in each of the final three days of May, Bregman had not put one over the fence in June until Friday. It hasn't been easy for Bregman this season, but he continues to play almost every day, and the nine-hole bears more fruit when you're part of Major League Baseball's top scoring offense.