MLB Player News

Plouffe went 1-for-3 with a solo home run and two walks in Saturday's 10-6 loss to the Astros.

Plouffe launched a monster 432-foot shot left in the fifth, the first of two round-trippers in the frame for the A's. Both of the veteran third baseman's homers on the season have come in the last two games, and he notably operated out of the two-hole Saturday. He's now hit safely in four straight, and five of his last six overall.

Asche is out of the lineup Sunday against the Twins, Daryl Van Schouwen of the Chicago Sun-Times reports.

White Sox manager Rick Renteria is rolling out an exclusively right-handed lineup Sunday to counter Twins southpaw Hector Santiago, leaving no room for the lefty-hitting Asche. The absence of Asche allows Yolmer Sanchez to pick up a rare start at designated hitter.

Moustakas is out of the lineup Sunday against the Angels.

Moustakas has started six games in a row, so it was likely time for a routine maintenance day. Cheslor Cuthbert will man the hot corner in his stead.

Ramirez went 4-for-4 with two home runs, a walk, three runs and six RBI Saturday against the Tigers.

Ramirez blasted a three-run homer in the first inning, but it was his second three-run blast in the eighth inning that put the game out of reach for the Indians in a winning effort. After a bit of a slow start to begin the season, he's now collected nine hits over his last three games to raise his batting average to .341, and he's quickly resembling the breakout player we saw in 2016.

Plouffe is manning third base and batting second for Saturday's game against the Astros.

Manager Bob Melvin is trying to shake things up in a struggling A's lineup and Plouffe's three-game hitting streak appears to have warranted a chance for more at-bats. The veteran third baseman still has a .194 average to begin the season, a statistic that should continue to improve with time.

Asche is batting fifth and starting at first base Saturday against the Twins.

It will be his first career start at first base and allows Jose Abreu to get a day off from playing in the field as he shifts to the DH. Asche has two hits and eight strikeouts in 20 at-bats this season, but continues to receive plenty of opportunities in the starting lineup as the season gets underway.

Plouffe went 1-for-4 with a solo home run in a 7-2 loss to the Astros on Friday.

The veteran third baseman launched his first home run of the season in the ninth, a modest bright spot in an otherwise dismal game -- and start to the season -- for the offseason acquisition. Plouffe went down on strikes in his three other at-bats Friday, and even with the round-tripper, his batting average is just .194.

Escobar is starting at second base and batting sixth Saturday against the White Sox.

Escobar will fill in for Brian Dozier, who is out with mild knee soreness. The switch-hitter is 4-for-14 in limited playing time this season and just 4-for-23 against White Sox starter Jose Quintana. Nevertheless, the unexpected playing time provides Escobar a nice opportunity to get some exposure.

Donaldson (calf) was placed on the 10-day disabled list Friday, Mike Wilner of the Blue Jays Radio Network reports.

As expected, Donaldson will get the chance to fully rest his ailing calf for at least the next 10 days. Chris Coghlan was called up to the big leagues to take his roster spot, but look for Darwin Barney to pick up extra playing time at the hot corner.

Devers is off to a hot start for Double-A Portland, going 10-for-25 (.400) with one home run and six RBI through six games.

The 20-year-old enjoyed arguably his best season at the dish in 2016, hitting 11 home runs while stealing a career-best 18 bases. He also nearly doubled his walk total from the prior season. Devers is an elite talent who may only just be scratching the surface of his potential.