MLB Player News

Orioles utility infield candidate Danny Valencia showed some late-game heroics in Tuesday's Grapefruit League game against the Red Sox. Valencia, who had been dealing with tendinitis in his knee last week, made a pinch-hit appearance and crushed a solo home run off Terry Doyle in the ninth inning to give the Orioles an 8-7 victory. He is batting .323 with a home run and four RBI in 31 at-bats this spring.

The Rangers made another wave of roster cuts Tuesday, optioning pitchers Jeff Beliveau and Wilmer Font, outfielder Engel Beltre and first baseman Mike Olt to Triple-A Round Rock. Texas also moved first basemen Brandon Allen and Brandon Snyder, catchers Jose Felix and Juan Apodaca, pitchers Collin Balester, Neal Cotts, Evan Meek and Yoshinori Tateyama to its minor-league camp.

Olt is viewed as one of the club's top prospects, but struggled during his spring audition and hit just .194 in Cactus League play. The 24-year-old did manage two homers and should rise to the Rangers later in the year.

Trevor Plouffe is expected to play in a Twins minor-league game on Tuesday, Rhett Bollinger of MLB.com reports. The third baseman hasn't played since he suffered a calf injury March 10. Barring a reaggravation of the injury, Plouffe is expected to be available for the Twins on opening day. He owns an .878 OPS in 30 spring training appearances so far.

Athletics third baseman Josh Donaldson hit his first official home run of the spring off White Sox pitcher Chris Sale on Saturday. Donaldson had homered twice this spring but both games were rained out and didn't count. He's had a disappointing spring with three singles in 27 at-bats coming into Saturday.

"I actually feel pretty good about where I am right now," Donaldson told MLB.com before the game. "I think I've lined out about 15 times. It's one of those things where, by the time the season rolls around, they're falling in."

Donaldson could serve as the team's regular third baseman this season, but offseason trade acquisition Jed Lowrie could also be a factor at the hot corner for the Athletics.

MASNSports.com reports Saturday that Orioles utility infield candidate Danny Valencia is dealing with a case of tendinitis in his knee. The Orioles gave him an MRI, which ruled out structural damage.