MLB Player News

Escobar finished Monday's opener against the Orioles with a pair of doubles and an RBI in four at-bats.

The shortstop showed a little bit of pop last year for Minnesota and managed to do the same today. Escobar actually improved his power stroke after the All-Star break in 2015, mashing eight of his 12 homers and 19 of his 31 doubles after the Midseason Classic. For now, he's hitting seventh in the Twins' order.

Almanzar only got one hit in 12 spring training plate appearances, striking out three times.

The 25-year-old hit .225 last year in his first full season in Triple-A Norfolk; coupled that with the fact that the Orioles have a star third baseman in Manny Machado, and Almanzar seems destined for another season in Norfolk.

Longoria was 2-for-4 with a double and RBI in Sunday's 5-3 loss to the Blue Jays.

The veteran third baseman was responsible for the first run of the Rays season, plating Logan Forsythe with a two-out third-inning single off Jays starter Marcus Stroman. Longoria was also Tampa's first baserunner of 2016, as he doubled to right field in the first. Although he had a generally unremarkable spring at the plate, the former All-Star did manage two homers, and was able to get some rest days in the latter stages of the exhibition slate. Apparently refreshed for Opening Day, he appeared to be the only Rays hitter to figure out Stroman in an otherwise dominant performance by the Blue Jays ace.

Plouffe went 1-for-4 with a double and a run scored on Friday against the Nationals.

The 29-year-old is batting .360/.400/.660 during 50 at-bats this spring, while adding four home runs and 14 RBI. Plouffe provides a good source of power for the Twins at third base and in fantasy leagues. In 2015, Plouffe hit 22 home runs and had 86 RBI. If he can continue his spring training form and improve upon his .244 batting average from last season, Plouffe could be due for another good season.

Longoria is "fine" and will play one of the next two days according to manager Kevin Cash, Greg Auman of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Cash described Longoria as "more or less resting", and emphasized that he's continued to do all of his regular work in the batting cage and the field despite not having participated in game action since last Sunday. Although he is not expected to play in the Rays' Wednesday tilt against a Red Sox split squad, Longoria is on track to be in the starting lineup for Tampa's Opening Day tilt versus the Blue Jays.

Machado went 1-for-4 with his fifth home run of the spring Tuesday against the Braves.

Machado enjoyed a breakout season in 2015 and it is scary to think he has a 35 home run, 20 steal season under his belt at 23-years-old. With five home runs this spring, Machado seems apt for a repeat performance. The Orioles shuttled him around the order this spring, but he led off Tuesday and that seems to be his most likely landing spot in the order. If he is eventually lowered to third, Machado becomes a strong candidate for 100 RBIs.

Devers was summoned to play for Boston in Saturday's game against Baltimore. He went 2-for-4 with a walk and a run scored.

Devers is a highly regarded hitting prospect at the top of the organizational rankings published in several outlets. After spending the entire season at Low-A Greenville in 2015, the 19-year-old third baseman will open this season at High-A Salem.

Devers will begin the year at High-A Salem, Scott Lauber of ESPN.com reports.

The uber-talented 19-year-old prospect will move up a level to High-A to start the season after spending the past couple of years in rookie league and Low-A Greenville. He still has some work to do before the Red Sox move him up through the organization, but the future is bright for Devers.

Urshela was optioned to Triple-A Columbus on Saturday, Paul Hoynes of Cleveland.com reports.

This move doesn't come as a major surprise after the Indians inked Juan Uribe to take over at third base during the offseason. Still, Urshela has the tools to be the Indians' third baseman of the future, although he may have a hard time cracking the 25-man roster anytime soon unless Uribe or Lonnie Chisenhall gets injured.

Alvarez will start at third base in his remaining spring training games, MLB.com's Brittany Ghiroli reports.

He is hitting .190 with a home run and two doubles in 21 at-bats this spring, and the Orioles will try to get a look at what Alvarez has to offer defensively at the hot corner in their remaining exhibitions. While J.J. Hardy is having a great spring (.333/.371/.515), he posted a career-low .564 OPS last season and appears to be on a downward trajectory at the plate. If Hardy doesn't bounce back on offense, the O's could look to give Manny Machado some starts at shortstop with Alvarez manning third base, which gives him an outside shot to add that eligibility this season.