MLB Player News

Rays manager Joe Maddon was so encouraged by third baseman Evan Longoria's progress Sunday that he feels Longoria might be able to pinch-hit as soon as Monday's game against the Astros and could avoid a stint on the disabled list. Longoria is dealing with plantar fasciitis in his right foot.

"He actually felt pretty good (Sunday)," Maddon said, per the Tampa Bay Times. "It's kind of encouraging. A lot of the pain was different. It wasn't nearly as severe, so we'll see. We might be able to use him in Houston like we had thought."

The Rays aren't ruling out a stint on the disabled list, but Maddon feels confident Longoria can remain on the active roster.

"As of right now I don't think so because he's making some progress," Maddon said. "It's possible, but I don't know. He's just feeling better (Sunday)."

Rangers infield prospect Mike Olt missed several weeks earlier this season while the team tried to diagnose why he could not produce tears in his right eye, which was beginning to affect his vision. Since Olt began using a special eye drop, the highly touted prospect is back on track for Triple-A Round Rock.

"It's been night and day since then," he said, per MLB.com.

After batting .139 with one home run and six RBI in 20 April games, Olt returned to the lineup in June to hit .255 with a .520 slugging percentage, .883 OPS, six doubles, seven home runs and 17 RBI in 27 games.

"I think I started over," he said. "I started a new season for myself. I mean obviously the numbers are going to be the numbers. Baseball people will understand it's not about your numbers. The last 20 games, I feel definitely more like myself. My power is back. I'm swinging at pitches I was letting go by earlier this season."

Twins third baseman Trevor Plouffe homered in the ninth inning of Sunday's 9-8 loss at home to the Royals.

Plouffe's seventh home run came off closer Greg Holland, a solo shot. Plouffe was 1 for 4 with a walk and is batting .273. 

The 27-year-old has hit in 12 straight games and 13 of 14 since coming off the disabled list in mid-June. He has 12 RBI over 14 games in June. 

Rays third baseman Evan Longoria was out of the lineup, as expected, Sunday against the Tigers. Longoria is dealing with his case of plantar fasciitis that was aggravated Friday. 

Tampa Bay has decided to keep him off his feet in order to rest the injury in hopes he'll be able to avoid going on the disabled list. He's day to day for now. 

Twins third baseman Trevor Plouffe had just one hit Saturday against the Royals, but he made it count in a  6-2 win. 

Plouffe opened the game with a two-run home run in the first inning, and then added a sacrifice fly in the second. He finished the game 1 for 3 with three RBI. 

Plouffe has hit safely in 11 straight games and 12 of 13 since coming off the disabled list. He has two home runs and 12 RBI in that span, while batting .327. Plouffe has six home runs and 29 RBI on the season. 

The Rays do not expect to place third baseman Evan Longoria on the disabled list, "as of now," according to manager Joe Maddon, the Tampa Bay Times reports. He is going to be evaluated on a day-by-day basis. 

Longoria left Friday's game with his right foot in a boot due to irritating his plantar fasciitis injury. 

Rays third baseman Evan Longoria is unlikely to take the field this weekend against the Tigers, the Tampa Tribune reports.

Longoria left Friday's game with his right foot in a boot due to irritating his plantar fasciitis injury.

"We'll know more (today)," Rays manager Joe Maddon said. "Of course I'm concerned, but I don't know to the level yet until I get more information (today)."

Longoria has started every game this season, but his streak will end Saturday.

"I would imagine he's not going to play (today) or the next day," Maddon said. "We'll just see how it plays out and then we'll make our determination."

Rays third baseman Evan Longoria was forced out of Friday's game against the Tigers in the second inning with an irritation of the plantar fasciitis in his foot.

Longoria pulled up lame while running to first base during his first at-bat in the second inning. He was replaced by Kelly Johnson to start the third inning. He is scheduled to be re-evaluated Saturday.

Longoria has just one hit over his last 12 at-bats. He is hitting .298/.367/.550 with 17 homers and 47 RBI in 80 games played.

Orioles third baseman Manny Machado was ejected in the fifth inning Thursday against the Indians by home plate umpire Will Little for arguing after striking out.

Machado finished 1 for 3 with a single in the first and was replaced by Alexi Casilla. He is hitting .319/.349/.478 with 36 doubles and 39 RBI in 345 at-bats.

Athletics third baseman Josh Donaldson provided more offense than Oakland needed Wednesday during a 5-0 win over the Reds. 

Donaldson smashed his 12th home run of the season in the fourth inning off starter Homer Bailey for a three-run shot with no outs in the inning. He finished 1 for 3 with three RBI and added a walk in the game. Donaldson is batting .308 for the A's. 

The 27-year-old has homered in back-to-back games now and has three long balls in his last 10 contests with nine RBI over that span. He's up to 51 RBI on the season.