MLB Player News

Valencia is out of the lineup Friday against the Mariners.

He sat out Wednesday and the A's were off Thursday, so the fact that he's not back in there Friday after starting nine games in a row prior to Wednesday raises a bit of a red flag that he is either banged up or his playing time situation is changing. Max Muncy will start in right field and bat seventh Friday.

Moncada is not in Friday's lineup against the Blue Jays, Tim Britton of the Providence Journal reports.

Moncada had a rough start to the week, going 0-for-7 while striking out in all seven at bats before getting a day off Wednesday, and he'll now be held out of the lineup for a second straight game. Manager John Farrell had previously indicated the 21-year-old would get the majority of the starts down the stretch, particularly against right-handed pitching, but Travis Shaw -- who has homered in each of his past two starts -- will get the nod at third base again against righty Marco Estrada.

Duffy (Achilles) is scheduled for surgery on Friday afternoon in Charlotte but is expected to resume workouts in December and be ready for spring training, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

The 25-year-old's procedure will be performed by renowned foot-and-ankle specialist Dr. Robert Anderson, with the operation involving a shaving down of the left heel to reduce irriation of Duffy's perpetually sore Achilles. The recovery process calls for Duffy to be in a splint for two weeks and then a boot for up to eight weeks, setting up a potential return to workouts in December. If that timetable holds, he is expected to be fully ready for spring training.

Bregman went 2-for-4 with a double, triple, three RBI and scored once in Thursday's loss to the Indians.

Bregman is riding a seven-game hitting streak in which he's notched five multi-hit performances including Thursday's effort. He's raised his average 24 points since the start of August by collecting 13 hits, including two doubles and three triples. The rookie is also enjoying an on-base streak of 22 games, matching his age. Bregman is surprisingly one of the best assets to own headed toward the finish line of the 2016 campaign.

Duffy (Achilles) was placed on the 60-day disabled list Thursday, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

The Rays needed to make room on the 40-man roster for Alexei Ramirez, so the Rays opted to send Duffy to the 60-day DL since he won't be back to playing until next season. The infielder is expected to undergo surgery on his injured Achilles tendon soon.

Duffy (Achilles) is expected to undergo surgery, and miss the remainder of the season.

Duffy appeared in 20 games for the Rays after being traded from the Giants on August 1. He recorded three doubles, a home run, and seven RBI to go along with a .284 average following the trade. The season ending surgery was expected, but the team was hoping he could play through it a bit longer before the undergoing the procedure. The team has since indicated they'd like to make sure he is ready to go next season.

Plouffe's MRI revealed a strained oblique and intercostal, and he is doubtful to play again this season, the Star Tribune's Phil Miller reports.

He missed time earlier this season with an intercostal strain, a knee sprain, a groin strain and a cracked rib, and now he has come full circle, with his oblique and intercostal costing him time once again. With all of those injuries, it seems fair to blame a lot of his mediocre play on his poor health. He becomes a free agent after the 2017 season, and while the Twins may look to shop him this winter, it's hard to envision another team paying a significant price for the aging third baseman.

Valencia is not in the lineup Wednesday against the Angels.

Valencia will get a rare day off after going 0-for-4 with two strikeouts in Tuesday's matchup with the Angels. Oakland will go with Max Muncy in right field, and he'll bat seventh in the order against right-hander Alex Meyer.

Alvarez is not in the lineup Wednesday against the Rays.

Alvarez starts regularly against righties, but with left-hander Drew Smyly on the hill for the Rays, he'll get the day off Wednesday.

Duffy (Achilles) is not in the lineup Wednesday against Baltimore, Roger Mooney of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

The Rays announced earlier in the week that Duffy would be headed for season-ending surgery, but the plan was for him to play in "several more games" prior to the procedure. Duffy was scratched from Tuesday's lineup, and his absence Wednesday could be an indication that surgery may be required sooner rather than later.