MLB Player News

Donaldson (calf) will serve as the Blue Jays' DH and bat third in the order in Monday's Grapefruit League game against the Twins, John Lott of The Athletic Toronto reports.

Donaldson has been sidelined for much of the spring with a strained right calf, but he'll be able to make his long-awaited debut after he was able to steadily increase his activities over the last couple of weeks. Though he'll initially serve as the team's DH, he's expected to return to the field Wednesday. With his health seemingly on solid ground, fantasy owners can probably feel comfortable investing an early-round selection in Donaldson, who has supplied 78 homers over his first two seasons with the Blue Jays.

Moncada went 3-for-5 with a home run, two doubles and four RBI in Sunday's game against the Angels.

Nobody in the White Sox camp is hotter than Moncada, who is 10-for-22 with three homers, four doubles and 11 RBI in his last seven games. That run has turned around what had been a cool start to spring training. Despite the success he's experiencing now, Moncada is expected to start the season in Triple-A Charlotte.

Olt made his first appearance in Grapefruit League action Saturday, entering as a pinch-runner and playing first base.

The Red Sox left no stone unturned when looking for insurance at third base in case Pablo Sandoval was not capable of returning to form. Olt joined a chorus of infielders that have experience at the hot corner. As it turns out, Sandoval has performed well and the talk of a potential platoon partner has been silenced. Olt, whose once-bright career stalled following a beaning during the 2012 offseason, has bounced from the Cubs to the White Sox to the Padres since 2014. He's expected to start 2017 in the minors, but without a sure thing backing up Sandoval at third base, the Red Sox could call on Olt at some point.

Asche doubled and walked in Saturday's game against the Dodgers, raising his spring line to .364/.563/.909 through 22 at-bats.

Asche was caught off-guard when the Phillies non-tendered him during the offseason, but he's pleased to have landed in an organization that has some roster spots available. His ability to play the corner infield and outfield spots could earn him a place on the Opening Day roster. If the White Sox eventually trade left fielder Melky Cabrera or third baseman Todd Frazier, opportunities for regular at-bats open up for a player with the position background of Asche.

Longoria was scratched from the lineup with neck stiffness prior to Sunday's Grapefruit League game against the Phillies, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Longoria missed some time earlier in camp with an illness, but this is his first injury-related departure from the lineup. It doesn't appear to be anything too serious, and he's considered day-to-day for now.

Alvarez patrolled the outfield during the Orioles' "B" game Friday, Jon Meoli of The Baltimore Sun reports.

Alvarez made a dive on a sinking line drive to hold a hit to a single, while also hitting a home run and a double during the contest. The veteran is trying to expand his defensive horizons in an effort to make the major league club, though it's far from a guarantee that he'll stick on the outfield grass. Even with his flaws in the field and at the dish (career .238 average), that faint possibility of extra work and position eligibility gives deep mixed and AL-only fantasy players another reason -- on a trial basis -- to roster the slugger, who has launched at least 22 home runs in four of his last five seasons.

Donaldson (calf) will hit in a minor league game Friday, John Lott of The Athletic Toronto reports.

Donaldson remains on a cautious schedule that appears to have him set to return on or close to Opening Day. There's little reason yet to discount him on fantasy cheat sheets.

Moncada went 2-for-3 with two home runs and three RBI in Wednesday's game against the Royals.

Moncada, who was hitting .200 with 13 strikeouts in 30 at-bats entering Wednesday's game, finally busted out this spring. The two-homer explosion doesn't move the needle in terms of him starting the season with the White Sox, but it is a reminder of the elite talent that's half a season away from the majors. He's expected to start the 2017 season at Triple-A Charlotte, where Moncada will work to improve his pitch recognition and better handle breaking balls.

Robinson is slashing .296/.441/.704 and has hit three home runs through 13 spring games.

While Robinson has yet to appear in the majors, his performance this spring is making a case for that to change during the upcoming campaign. However, while he regularly brings power to the plate, history would suggest that Robinson's batting average is due to come down. During the 2016 season at Triple-A Round Rock he posted a .257 batting average but notched a phenomenal .480 slugging percentage.

Donaldson (calf) will get three or four at-bats in Tuesday's minor league game in Clearwater, The Athletic Toronto's John Lott reports.

It was anticipated that Donaldson would soon get into game action, and this marks the beginning of that stage in his rehab. It is unclear if he is ready for action in the field yet, but so far his status for Opening Day has not been seriously questioned.