MLB Player News

Alvarez is not in the lineup for Monday's game against the Red Sox, Eduardo Encina of The Baltimore Sun reports.

Alvarez is off to a dreadful 1-for-15 (.067) start to the season, and the Orioles are facing tough left-hander David Price on Monday, so manager Buck Showalter decided to hold Alvarez out for the first time this season. Matt Wieters will serve as the Orioles' designated hitter Monday.

Donaldson went 2-for-4 Sunday with two runs scored and a solo shot, his fourth home run of the season.

The reigning AL MVP has picked up right where he left off last year, slashing .310/.355/.759 through the first seven games of the season. Donaldson's minor calf injury hasn't hampered him at the plate at all, and he should be ready to return to third base Tuesday against the Yankees.

Moustakas went 1-for-4 with a solo homer Sunday against the Twins.

His second blast of the season got the Royals on the board in the sixth inning of a game they'd go on to win in extra innings. After going hitless in his first two games, he now has five hits over his last three contests, including homers in his last two.

Machado went 4-for-4 with a two-run homer, a run and a double Sunday against the Rays.

His perfect afternoon, including his third homer, ended an amazing week that ended with him posting an OPS of 1.360. He's now homered in three straight games while hitting safely in each of his first five contests.

Donaldson said his calf is feeling a lot better Sunday, and he'll be ready to play in Tuesday's game against the Yankees, Arden Zwelling of Sportsnet Magazine reports.

Donaldson was the designated hitter for the Blue Jays on Sunday, and plans to be back at third base on Tuesday. This suggests the injury is not a long-term concern, and he should be close to 100 percent soon. Donaldson produced two hits on four at-bats for an RBI and two runs. His other two attempts were both strikeouts.

Valencia is out of the lineup Sunday against the Mariners, John Hickey of the Oakland Tribune reports.

Valencia will rest for the first time this season after going 5-for-21 (.238) at the plate over his first six contests. While he's been a platoon player for most of his career, it looks as though the Athletics are fully comfortable with Valencia in an everyday role, as he opened the season in the lineup against three consecutive lefty starters. He'll give way to Chris Coghlan at third base Sunday.

Plouffe is out of the lineup Sunday against the Royals, LaVelle Neal of the Minneapolis Star Tribune reports.

Plouffe is off to a rough start to the season with a 3-for-20 mark from the plate over five games, so manager Paul Molitor will give him a chance to take Sunday off and clear his head. Eduardo Nunez will replace Plouffe at third base.

Donaldson went 2-for-4 with a double and two runs scored in Saturday's 8-4 loss to the Red Sox.

Although Red Sox starter Rick Porcello got the best of most of his teammates, Donaldson tallied his first multi-hit game of the season. He's opened up 2015 with a six-game hitting streak, and is slashing a .280/.333/.680 line over 25 at-bats, while leading the Blue Jays with eight RBI.

Alvarez is out of the lineup Saturday against the Rays.

A day off was in order for Alvarez after the former Pirates slugger went 0-for-12 with three walks and four strikeouts to start the season. Manager Buck Showalter will keep Matt Wieters' bat in the lineup Saturday by using him at the DH spot while Caleb Joseph is set to start behind the plate. Alvarez's power potential and favorable home ballpark still make him a viable fantasy option, but his slump to start the season is a concerning development.

Moncada reached base safely four times in High-A Salem's season opener Thursday and then went 0-for-3 with a walk Friday.

Moncada, considered Boston's top prospect by some observers, is batting leadoff and playing second base for Salem. Long-term, he may move off second base, but the Red Sox will have no problem finding a spot for him on the field. He's had experience at third base and a move to the outfield has been considered since he signed with Boston.