MLB Player News

FOX Sports reports among the players accepting 50-game suspensions for their connection to the Biogenesis investigation are Rangers outfielder Nelson Cruz, Tigers shortstop Jhonny Peralta, Phillies reliever Antonio Bastardo, Mets infielder Jordany Valdespin , Padres shortstop Everth Cabrera, Yankees catcher Francisco Cervelli, Mariners catcher Jesus Montero, Mets outfielder Cesar Puello, Astros reliever Sergio Escalona, Padres reliever Fautino De Los Santos, Yankees outfielder Fernando Martinez and free-agent pitcher Jordan Norberto.

The report also states Athletics starting pitcher Bartolo Colon, Padres catcher Yasmani Grandal and Blue Jays outfielder Melky Cabrera will be dealt no additional discipline. Also, no violations were found against Nationals pitcher Gio Gonzalez and Orioles infielder Danny Valencia.

Orioles infielder Danny Valencia hit his fifth home run in Sunday's loss to Seattle.

Valencia was just called up prior to Sunday's game and inserted to the lineup as the designated hitter. He has needed just 25 games and 74 at-bats to mash five home runs (and six doubles as well) but is hitting just .216/.256/.500.

The Orioles have called up infielder Danny Valencia from Triple-A Norfolk, MASN reports Sunday. Valencia, a .298/.339/.560 hitter for Norfolk in 55 games, will be Sunday's designated hitter.

Orioles third baseman Manny Machado went 2 for 4 while hitting his 10th home run and 40th double in his team's 8-4 loss to the Mariners Saturday.

Machado's doubles pace has slowed down since an incredible start to the season, but he remains on pace to post the highest American League doubles total since 1936. Machado has hit .297/.327/.458 with 10 home runs, 52 RBI and six stolen bases in 472 at-bats.

Orioles third baseman Manny Machado was struck by a line drive off the bat of Adam Jones during batting practice Tuesday before a game against Houston at Camden Yards, The Baltimore Sun reports. 

Machado was hit in the left forearm just below the elbow and met with team trainers. Manager Buck Showater said later that Machado would remain in the lineup for the game. He did mention Machado could take a precautionary X-ray, just in case. 

Batting .297 for the season, Machado has gone just 3 for 28 (.107) over his last seven games and is slumping for the Orioles. 

Uh-oh. The Athletics' Josh Donaldson is batting .186 (8 for 43) over his last 12 games. Guess this is the beginning of the end, right?

Well, it is his longest cold stretch of the season, but not by as much as you'd think.

In June, he had a 10-game stretch in which he hit .146 (6 for 41). In late April and early May, he had an eight-game stretch in which he hit .179 (5 for 28). At the very beginning of the season, before anyone knew what they had in Donaldson, he hit .120 (3 for 25) in seven games.

In other words, it seems scary because it's happening right now and because you keep waiting for the other shoe to drop with him, but to me, Donaldson's little cold spell is much ado about nothing. His .299 batting average and 24 homers in 545 at-bats since his return from the minor leagues last August counts for so much more.

Rays third baseman Evan Longoria is hitting second again Thursday against the Red Sox.

Longoria was moved to the two-spot Wednesday, and it appears to be a trend now. Longoria is hitting .276/.354/.515 in 373 at-bats. He'll take on John Lackey during Thursday's contest.

The Orioles optioned utility player and designated hitter Danny Valencia back to Triple-A Norfolk Wednesday to clear roster space for the addition of Francisco Rodriguez, MLB.com reports. Valencia, batting .200 overall this season, has been mired in an ugly 0-for-22 slump. 

Orioles third baseman Manny Machado hit his eighth home run in a loss Tuesday against Kansas City. 

Machado is off to a slow start in the second half, as the home run was his first extra-base hit to go with a .217 average in the first five games. Machado led the league with 39 doubles in the first half, and he could become an even scarier offensive force if some of those doubles turn into home runs down the stretch. He has a .305/.333/.463 line on the season.

The Cubs and Rangers trade featuring Matt Garza going to Texas and Mike Olt, C.J. Edwards and Justin Grimm going to the Cubs is official, MLB.com reports. The deal also features the Rangers sending two players-to-be-named-later. 

The initial plan for the Rangers is for Garza to start Wednesday against New York. Olt and Grimm were immediately sent to Triple-A Iowa, and Edwards heads to Class A Daytona.