MLB Player News

Donaldson went 1-for-3 with two walks, two runs and an RBI in Tuesday's 12-6 win at Yankee Stadium.

Donaldson didn't do much damage himself, but parlayed an infield single and two free passes into a very solid line thanks to strong production from the rest of the Blue Jays lineup around him. The 2015 AL MVP is still going through a rough patch by his lofty standards, with just two extra-base hits in an 8-for-38 stretch over the past 10 games.

Duffy left Tuesday's game with mild left Achilles soreness, Steve Carney of 620 AM Tampa Bay reports.

Indeed it was a setback with the Achilles that forced Duffy from Tuesday's game. The team is saying his removal was strictly precautionary but Duffy just returned last weekend after missing close to two months with an Achilles injury, so it may be a little difficult for some to take the Rays at their word.

Duffy was lifted from Tuesday's game against the Padres after three innings.

Tim Beckham assumed Duffy's spot at shortstop for the top of the fourth after Duffy singled twice in his two trips to the plate (one of the infield variety). Duffy was just activated from the DL last Friday following a nearly two-month stay on the DL due to an Achilles injury.

Ramirez went 2-for-4 with a run scored and a stolen base in Sunday's win over the Angels.

That extends his hitting streak to 18 games and pushes his slash line in August to .444/.464/.722. Ramirez also has seven steals in his last seven games, as he's apparently decided that since he's getting on base so often, he might as well do something fun while he's there. He already has career-best numbers across the board, and the 23-year-old is doing everything he can this season to prove that he deserves to be an everyday player and not just a utility guy.

Donaldson went 0-for-3 with a bases-loaded walk, recording his 79th RBI of the year, in Sunday's win over the Astros.

Despite hitting safely in 11 of his last 12 starts, the third baseman has seen his average dip more than five points through the first half of the current month. History would indicate that he'll get back to his dominant ways soon. Last season, August was by far Donaldson's best month of the campaign -- he hit .324/.408/.724 with 11 home runs and 35 RBI and 29 runs -- and it propelled him to the AL MVP award. Over the past three seasons, Donaldson has hit a combined .307 in August, his highest average for any month.

Longoria went 3-for-4 with two doubles, a run scored and four RBI in Sunday's 12-3 romp over the Yankees.

He's the career leader in hits (74) and RBI (47) among visiting players in the new Yankee Stadium and only Jose Bautista has hit more home runs there as a visitor than Longoria's 15. The Rays' third baseman padded those totals in impressive fashion this weekend, going 7-for-11 with a homer and six RBI over the three games. Fortunately for the Rays' third baseman and anyone with fantasy shares in him, he hasn't seen the last of Yankee Stadium this year -- Tampa Bay returns for a four-game set there in mid-September.

Alvarez is out of the lineup Sunday against the Giants, Roch Kubatko of MASN Sports reports.

Since the series is in San Francisco, the Orioles haven't had the DH spot available all weekend, so it's unsurprising that Alvarez has served in a bench role for all three games. Look for him to get back into the lineup as soon as Tuesday against the Red Sox.

Muncy is out of the lineup Sunday against the Mariners.

The Athletics will try to exploit the platoon advantage against Mariners southpaw starter Wade LeBlanc, as three of the team's lefty bats (Muncy, Stephen Vogt and Yonder Alonso) will be left on the bench. Tyler Ladendorf replaces Muncy at the keystone.

Plouffe is out of the lineup Sunday against the Royals, Mike Berardino of the St. Paul Pioneer Press reports.

Plouffe returned from the DL last Monday following a rib injury, but he hasn't immediately been handed back an everyday role at third base. He'll sit for the fourth time in eight games, paving the way for Jorge Polanco to log another start at the hot corner. Look for manager Paul Molitor to juggle three players (Plouffe, Polanco and Eduardo Escobar) for two lineup spots (third base and shortstop) over the next several days, with the hottest hitters likely seeing the most at-bats.

Moncada is likely to be playing third base in the Arizona Fall Leauge, Julian Benbow of the Boston Globe reports.

The organization recognizes the athletic ability in Moncada, who made his first start at the hot corner Friday night for Double-A Portland. His initial exposure to baseball in the States has been spent getting him comfortable while playing a position he knows well, before transitioning him to third base, a position of uncertainty at the major league level. Having him start the 2017 season as Boston's Opening Day third baseman might be a reach, but he's close to major-league ready and should see MLB at some point next season.