MLB Player News

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.

Machado (suspension) is back in the lineup for Friday's game against the Rays.

After serving his four-game suspension this week, Machado will return to his post at the hot corner for Friday's series opener against the Rays. He'll bat third in the order against Matt Moore, a lefty he's struggled to figure out thus far in his career. Machado owns a 3-for-19 lifetime mark against Moore entering Friday.

Plouffe (groin) is not in Friday's lineup against the Yankees, Mike Berardino of the St. Paul Pioneer Press reports.

Plouffe left Thursday's contest against the Phillies with a mild right groin strain after hobbling off the field during a ground out. He may miss some time but is hopeful that he will not have to go on the disabled list. For Friday's game against the Yankees, Eduardo Nunez will start at third base.

Plouffe (groin) is hopeful he'll be able to avoid landing on the DL, LaVelle E. Neal III of the Star Tribune reports.

Plouffe left Thursday's tilt early with a right groin strain and had difficulty walking off the field, but he reported feeling better after the game. At this point it appears as though it's simply a day-to-day situation, but it wouldn't be a surprise if the 30-year-old misses some time. Eduardo Escobar figures to draw the starts at the hot corner if Plouffe is absent from the lineup going forward.

Plouffe was lifted early from Thursday's game with a mild right groin strain, LaVelle E. Neal III of the Star Tribune reports.

Plouffe left the field hobbling after a sixth inning ground out, though it appears as though he avoided anything overly serious. He's considered day-to-day for the time being, but should Plouffe be forced to miss any time, a combination of Eduardo Nunez -- who came into the game in his place Thursday -- and Eduardo Escobar figure to fill in at third base.

Plouffe went 3-for-4 with a double, two runs and an RBI Wednesday against the Phillies.

Plouffe drove in the first run of the game with a first-inning RBI single before scoring the eventual game-winning run in the seventh inning. This was the first time he's posted multiple hits in back-to-back games in over a month, and he's now slashing .254/.277/.386.

Donaldson was battling a stiff neck all day Wednesday, but talked his way into the lineup, Sportsnet's Barry Davis reports.

He went 1-for-3 with a double, a run and two strikeouts before getting replaced by Darwin Barney on defense in the bottom of the ninth inning. The fact that he was removed in the ninth inning is not necessarily a big deal, as Barney is an excellent defender, but it may point to the fact that his neck pain got to be too much as the game went on. The Blue Jays have an off day Thursday, so hopefully that allows Donaldson to get right in advance of this weekend's series against the White Sox.

Moncada went 1-for-5 with an RBI single in his debut for Double-A Portland on Tuesday.

One year ago at this time, Moncada was struggling at Low-A Greenville (.200 average, .289 OPS), but he's been on a tear since, posting a combined line of .309/.421/.498 with 11 homers and 81 steals (91 attempts) over 117 games at Greenville and High-A Salem. His assignment in Portland is to continue to hone his considerable raw material while sticking at second base, the only position he's played since entering the organization. With second base in Boston blocked by Dustin Pedroia, Moncada's athleticism opens up the possibility of him transitioning to third base or left field, areas where the organization has limited depth.

Alvarez homered twice and knocked in five runs in a 3-for-5 game Tuesday against the Padres.

Alvarez is finding his stroke in June, as he has now hammered six of his nine home runs this month. He upped his batting line for the month to a stellar .340/.373/.745 with Tuesday's effort and is now hitting .240/.318/.473 on the season. That's right about in line with his .236/.309/.440 career mark and approximately what can be expected from Alvarez going forward.

Ramirez went 2-for-4 with two runs scored, two RBI and his fourth home run in Tuesday's win over the Rays.

Ramirez now has 20 extra-base hits after he managed just 23 in 97 games last season. His .292/.357/.425 batting line is above average across the board not just for second basemen but for the entire league, and all three marks would represent career highs for the young switch hitter.