MLB Player News

With the Twins opening their season on a seven-game road trip, Twins manger Paul Molitor said he'd like to get infielder Eduardo Escobar in the lineup a couple of times during the road trip, reports the St. Paul Pioneer Press.

In addition to playing in the infield this year, Escobar will also receive some playing time in the outfield, Molitor previously indicated.

Twins manager Paul Molitor posted the team's starting lineup for Monday's Opening Day game against the Tigers.

The Twins will face LHP David Price with the following lineup: 

Danny Santana SS, Brian Dozier 2B, Joe Mauer 1B, Torii Hunter RF, Kennys Vargas DH, Trevor Plouffe 3B, Oswaldo Arcia LF, Kurt Suzuki C, Jordan Schafer CF. Phil Hughes will be the starting pitcher.

Rays manager Kevin Cash told reporters that his lineup against the Tigers on Saturday, will be the same he uses on Opening Day, and against right-handed pitchers, according to the Tampa Bay Times.

The club will roll with John Jaso, Steven Souza, Asdrubal Cabrera, Evan Longoria, James Loney, Desmond Jennings, Logan Forsythe, Rene Rivera and Kevin Kiermaier.

Against left-handed pitchers, Cash told reporters he will use Brandon Guyer at the leadoff spot, Jennings and Loney will flip spots in the order, Forsythe will serve as a designated hitter and Tim Beckham will be at second base, per the Tampa Tribune.

Twins infielder Eduardo Escobar drove in three runs in a 5-2 victory over the Red Sox on Friday.

Escobar is hitting .344 this spring with four home runs and 17 RBI. He finished Friday's contest with two doubles. 

Rays third baseman Evan Longoria was scratched Thursday afternoon against the Phillies in Grapefruit League play because of an illness, according to the Tampa Tribune.

"He's just not feeling well," manager Kevin Cash said.

Longoria is hitting .298/.321/.511 with three homers and 10 RBI over 47 at-bats this spring. Jake Elmore will take Longoria's spot at third base and bat ninth in the lineup on Thursday.

Orioles regular shortstop J.J. Hardy is on the shelf for awhile and the team is in need of a replacement for the beginning of the season. Manager Buck Showalter hinted Tuesday third baseman Manny Machado may slide over to shortstop to provide some additional help, reports the Baltimore Sun.

"We are looking at all possibilities, all possible scenarios," Showalter said. "I don't have any doubt that we have a number of guys that could do it, including Manny, but you've got to be careful about robbing Peter to pay Paul."

Machado was a shortstop before making it to the majors.

The Athletics decided to reassign three players Sunday including: shortstop Andy Parrino, catcher Luke Carlin and first baseman Max Muncy, reports the San Francisco Chronicle.

Carlin git .273 with six RBI in 22 plate appearances this spring while Muncy hit .375 in 32 at-bats with two home runs and 10 RBI. Parrino hit just .196 with four doubles and 11 strikeouts in 46 at-bats.

Carlin is likely to be back with the team Tuesday to catch for Barry Zito, according to the report.

Twins manager Paul Molitor told reporters that he'll use a blend of Jordan Schafer and Shane Robinson at center field, but wouldn't describe the position as a straight platoon, according to the Star Tribune. With Danny Santana named the starting shortstop, Molitor added that Eduardo Escobar would also see some time in the outfield.

Twins third baseman Trevor Plouffe is completely aware of the threat that Miguel Sano brings when it comes to the third base spot. Sano is considered by many to be a can't-miss player. But Plouffe is trying not to let that affect him or his play. 

“You can’t think about anything like that,” Plouffe said. “You can’t worry about what other people are saying about you. I’m more focused on getting this organization out of this rut that we’ve dug ourselves over the last four years.”

After moving around the infield for years, Plouffe seems to have found his place at third. The 28-year-old has a batting average of .245 with 62 home runs, 224 RBI and 398 strikeouts in five seasons.

Twins infielder Eduardo Escobar hits a homerun in the team's 5-4 loss to the Red Sox.

The homer was Escobar's third this spring. The 26-year-old is batting .333, adding 13 RBI. Escobar has seen time at shortstop, second base and third base over his career.