MLB Player News

Donaldson went 3-for-4 with a triple, solo homer, three RBI, a walk and three runs in Friday's 13-3 victory over the Orioles.

Although he was naturally overshadowed by teammate Michael Saunders' three-homer night, Donaldson is stroking a bat as hot as the latter's. He extended his hitting streak to 10 games with his fourth consecutive multi-hit effort, and is just one homer short of matching his total for all of May. The 30-year-old slugger now has round-trippers in three of his last four games, and is hitting .373 (19-for-51) with four doubles, three triples, four homers and 17 RBI over 47 at-bats in June.

Escobar started at shortstop and went 3-for-4 with his first home run of the season in Friday's loss to the Yankees.

Escobar is hitting .326 (15-for-46) since returning from the disabled list May 23. However, he's having a hard time finding consistent playing time due to Eduardo Nunez's hot season. Escobar has started just four of the last 15 games.

Alvarez is in the lineup, batting sixth at DH against Toronto on Friday.

Alvarez is retuning to the Orioles' lineup after sitting the last three games, making his 33rd start at DH this season. The 29-year-old is swinging a hot bat right now, homering twice in his last two starts while collecting three runs and three RBI.

Longoria (forearm) is back in the lineup playing third base and hitting third Friday against the Giants, the Tampa Tribune's Roger Mooney reports.

There aren't a lot of details available regarding the nature of Longoria's forearm discomfort, but it's possible there could be lingering issues that he attempts to play through. Nonetheless, he should be deployed as usual in most formats now that he's back in the mix.

Longoria (forearm) hopes to return to the starting lineup for Friday's series opener versus the Giants, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

The veteran third baseman was forced from Wednesday's game versus the Mariners early due to the discomfort he felt in his left forearm, and the ailment also caused him to sit out Thursday's series finale. Longoria also conceded that the same issue was the culprit behind him sitting out a game against the D-backs on June 7, but feels that the recent rest will facilitate a Friday return to the lineup. "It's really just when I check-swing it just gets sore," he said. "It's the same symptoms as it was last time. It feels pretty much identical. And it responded well the next day after that so that leads me to believe it will be hopefully the same thing."

Donaldson went 3-for-3 with a double, two walks and three runs in Thursday's 13-2 rout of the Phillies.

This season hasn't quite been a repeat of Donaldson's MVP-worthy 2015, but he's been ramping things up in a big way of late -- over the last nine games, Donaldson's gone 16-for-34 (.471) with three homers, two steals, 13 RBI and 14 runs. He also has more walks (eight) than strikeouts (six) in that span. In fact, Donaldson has raised his walk rate to a career-high 15.1 percent this year. The 30-year-old looks like he's destined to end up in that MVP conversation again after all.

Machado's suspension appeal will be heard Tuesday, Eduardo Encina of the Baltimore Sun reports.

With the appeal reportedly set for Tuesday, Machado will to be eligible to play through Baltimore's weekend series against Toronto. However, once his appeal has been heard, Machado may have to sit out for anywhere up to four games depending on the ruling. Shortstop J.J Hardy is currently on a rehab assignment and could return as soon as Friday, which would lessen the impact of Machado's absence. Still, Baltimore would likely have to lean on Pedro Alvarez or Ryan Flaherty at third base if Machado is to miss time.

Alvarez is not in the lineup for Thursday's game against the Red Sox, Roch Kubatko of MASN Sports reports.

Alvarez will now get his third straight day off after being held out of the lineup Tuesday and Wednesday. There are no reports that anything is amiss, and Baltimore will start Mark Trumbo at DH for the third consecutive day with Joey Rickard slotted into right field.

Longoria (forearm) is not in the lineup for Thursday's game against the Mariners, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Longoria says that he's truly day-to-day. He expects to be able to be available to pinch hit Thursday and be back in the lineup on Friday. Taylor Motter will step in at third base and bat seventh.

Longoria departed Thursday's game in the 13th inning due to left forearm tightness, Bill Chastain of MLB.com reports.

Fortunately, Longoria's forearm injury isn't on his throwing hand, which could have resulted in a long absence. The Rays get back at it Thursday against the Mariners, so it will be interesting to see if he is in the lineup for the contest. If not, Steve Pearce would be the likely candidate to start at third base.