MLB Player News

Donaldson went 2-for-5, walked, scored a run and drove in three in Tuesday's win over the Rockies.

Donaldson extended his hitting streak to seven games with the effort, and Tuesday's marked the fifth of those games with two hits. He added a triple Tuesday, giving him five on the season, more than he hit in the past two years combined. After 84 extra-base hits in 158 games last year, Donaldson is on almost the exact same pace in 2016, with 40 extra-base hits through 77 games.

Muncy was optioned back to Triple-A Nashville on Tuesday, Jane Lee of MLB.com reports.

In order to make room for Josh Reddick coming off the DL with a thumb injury, Muncy was sent back down to Nashville. Muncy went 9-for-35 with two doubles and two RBI during his brief stay with the A's and will likely get another with the club later on this summer. With Nashville this season, Muncy is batting .263/.366/.442 with seven home runs and 20 RBI.

Machado went 3-for-5 with a double, three runs scored and an RBI in Sunday's 12-5 blowout over the Rays.

Each of the first six hitters in the O's lineup collected at least two hits, one run and one RBI, and as usual Machado was right in the thick of the action. He's now banged out eight hits in four games since returning from his suspension, pushing his slash line on the season to .325/.384/.609.

Astros GM Jeff Luhnow has hinted in recent days that Bregman could be promoted to Triple-A Fresno later this week, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.

Bregman is scheduled to play in the Texas League All-Star Game on Tuesday, after which the Astros may formally graduate him to the next level. With a .410 on-base percentage to go with 14 homers and 45 RBI across 233 at-bats at Double-A Corpus Christi, Bregman seemingly has little left to prove in the Texas League and appears ready to test himself against better competition. The Astros haven't ruled out the possibility of Bregman joining the big club this season, but that likely wouldn't happen until after the All-Star break.

Muncy is out of the lineup Sunday against the Angels.

After starting the previous six games in right field, Muncy will grab some pine with lefty Hector Santiago on the mound for the opposition. While Muncy has been seeing the larger portion of a platoon with Jake Smolinski in right field of late, he'll likely see his at-bats decline considerably with Josh Reddick (hand) scheduled to return from the DL on Monday.

Alvarez is out of the lineup Sunday against the Rays.

Alvarez will hit the bench with the Rays bringing southpaw Drew Smyly to the rubber, as Orioles manager Buck Showalter looks to avoid as many lefty-on-lefty matchups as possible. With Alvarez taking a seat, the Orioles will be able to give Chris Davis a day out of the field and deploy him as the DH.

Plouffe (groin) is back in the lineup Sunday against the Yankees, slotting in at first base and batting fifth, the St. Paul Pioneer Press' Mike Berardino reports.

Plouffe has been out since Thursday after hurting his groin while running out a groundout. He took swings and groundballs Saturday without any issues, but will get a start at first base rather than third base to ease himself back into action.

Plouffe (groin) remains out of the lineup Saturday but will take swings and groundballs on the field prior to the game, Mike Berardino of the St. Paul Pioneer Press reports.

Plouffe continues to nurse a groin injury, but the Twins received good news Saturday morning when he passed a running test. He'll progress to taking swings in the batting cage in addition to fielding work with his eye on a return to the lineup within the next few days, potentially as early as Sunday. At this point, it appears Plouffe will avoid a stint on the DL.

Machado (suspension) went 2-for-4 with a solo homer and two runs in Friday's 6-3 victory over the Rays.

The young slugger celebrated his return to the field in fine fashion, extending his hitting streak to four games while launching his third homer in his last eight contests. Despite having to serve the four-game suspension, Machado is enjoying a stellar month overall, slashing .329/.359/.616 over 73 at-bats.

Donaldson (neck) is in the lineup Friday, batting second and playing third base.

The reigning MVP was dealing with some neck stiffness on Toronto's getaway day Wednesday, but he was able to play through it and he'll remain in the lineup Friday. Donaldson will draw a matchup with lefty Carlos Rodon on Friday. Although Donaldson has never faced Rodon, he has an excellent track record against southpaws as evidenced by his .545 slugging percentage against them this season.