MLB Player News

Moustakas (thumb) was diagnosed with a fracture in his thumb and placed on the 15-day DL on Saturday, Jeffrey Flanagan of MLB.com reports.

Moustakas missed two games early in the week with a swollen thumb, but he returned to action Wednesday, going 0-for-3 at the plate. The third baseman was then scratched from the lineup Friday, and he'll now hit the DL with the fracture obviously requiring more than a few days off to heal. It's unclear how long the Royals expect Moustakas to remain out, but considering the diagnosis, it's possible he could miss time beyond the allotted 15 days. To fill Moustakas' spot on the roster, Kansas City recalled infielder Cheslor Cuthbert from Triple-A Omaha. He and Christian Colon figure to handle third base as long as Moustakas remains out.

Escobar (groin) is likely headed to the DL after getting injured in Friday's game, Mike Berardino of the St. Paul Pioneer Press reports.

He left with a strained left groin, so it's not surprising that he will miss at least 15 days with the injury. Eduardo Nunez figures to get a good chunk of the playing time, but Jorge Polanco also figures to get the call from Triple-A to help out at shortstop while Escobar is out.

Escobar exited Friday's tilt with the White Sox early due to a strained left groin, Scott Merkin of MLB.com reports.

Escobar was 0-for-1 before leaving Friday's game. He was replaced in the lineup by Eddie Rosario. The severity if of Escobar's injury is currently unknown, but his status for Saturday's contest is certainly up in the air. Expect an update when more information becomes available.

Moustakas (thumb) has been scratched from Friday's lineup, Jeffrey Flanagan of MLB.com reports.

He was able to return Wednesday after sitting a couple days with a swollen thumb, but apparently the thumb is still an issue. Christian Colon will take over at third base in Moustakas' absence as Omar Infante mans the keystone. Moustakas currently leads Royals regulars in both home runs (7) and slugging (.536).

Alvarez is not in the lineup for Friday's game against the A's.

With lefty Rich Hill due up for Oakland, Alvarez will head to the bench while Mark Trumbo gets a day off from playing the field. Alvarez has logged all of nine at-bats against lefties thus far, and he's not getting the job done against righties, recording 10 hits and just one home run in 47 at-bats.

Valencia is back in the lineup Friday against the Orioles, batting seventh and playing third base.

Valencia was reinstated off the disabled list earlier in the day Friday, and he'll slot right back into the lineup at the hot corner without spending any time on the bench. The third baseman's .345 OBP should be a nice addition to many fantasy owners' lineups, but his re-entry into the Oakland lineup will make playing time hard to come by for Chris Coghlan, who will likely move back into a reserve role.

Valencia (hamstring) was reinstated from the 15-day DL on Friday.

This was anticipated, and Valencia is expected to be in Oakland's lineup Friday against the Orioles. Valencia's lack of power to date (zero home runs in 55 plate appearances) does not illustrate how he has been impacting the baseball, as he has been a statcast darling early on thanks to impressive exit velocity readings. He should still be rostered in most formats.

Devers is adjusting to the higher level of pitching at High-A Salem, but is only hitting .144/.245/.278 through 24 games, WEEI.com reports.

Salem manager Joe Oliver said Devers is putting the work in with hitting coach Nelson Paulino, trying to become less pull conscious and getting more comfortable driving the ball to left and center field. Oliver also noted that Devers has not taken his hitting struggles out to the field defensively.

Bregman (hamstring) was activated from the minor league disabled list Thursday, MiLB.com's Sam Dykstra reports.

He missed 11 games with the ailment, and was on fire at the plate prior to landing on the DL. Bregman is slashing .340/.431/.660 with more walks (six) than strikeouts (five) through 59 plate appearances. Assuming he picks up close to where he left off, Bregman should force his way to Triple-A in the coming weeks. At that point, he could start to see time at third base to expand the Astros' options, and he would almost certainly be next in line if anything happened to Carlos Correa.

Alvarez is in the lineup and batting eighth, Eduardo A. Encina of the Baltimore Sun reports.

After hitting 27 home runs with the pirates in 2015, Alvarez has seen his power deplete drastically early on this season, hitting just one home run through his first 62 plate appearances. The 29-year-old will try to get back on track and help an already dangerous Orioles lineup.