MLB Player News

Noriega signed a minor league contract with the Brewers on Monday.

Noriega's bat has been shaky at best during his tenure in the minor leagues, so he'll likely just act as organizational depth for Milwaukee.

Robinson was added to the 40-man roster Thursday, Jeff Wilson of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram reports.

Although he owned a batting average of just .257 in 2016, Robinson showed an upswing in terms of power at Triple-A Round Rock. His 54 extra-base hits, which include 20 home runs, gave him a phenomenal .480 slugging percentage. However, it wasn't all good news for the 24-year-old, as he posted a 27.5 percent strikeout rate.

Moncada will leave the Arizona Fall League after sustaining a left thumb sprain, Rob Bradford of WEEI reports.

It's unclear when the injury happened, but it appears to be a relatively minor ailment considering the Red Sox only expect Moncada to rest for two weeks before resuming baseball activities. Unless something else pop up, the top prospect should be 100 percent when spring training rolls around.

Asuaje has started a stint in the Dominican Winter League, the Padres' official site reports.

With little left to prove at Triple-A, Asuaje will get an opportunity to compete for an Opening Day roster spot during spring training. Second base is currently crowded with the emergence of Ryan Schimpf in 2016 and the expected return of Cory Spangenberg from a quad injury. Asuaje has appeal as a utility option, however, as he can play at least three positions capably and serve as a left-handed bat off the bench for manager Andy Green.

Donaldson went 1-for-3 with a walk and a solo homer in Tuesday's Game 4 ALCS victory over the Indians.

The Blue Jays spent the first 29 innings of this series either tied or playing from behind, but Donaldson finally put an end to that. According to Statcast, the slugger's first home run of the ALCS had a projected distance of 402 feet and left his bat at 99 mph. The home run snapped Indians ace Corey Kluber's postseason scoreless streak at 15.1 innings. For Donaldson, it was his seventh extra-base hit of the postseason.

Moncada told Red Sox president of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski that his biggest takeaway from his time in the majors was the need to anticipate different pitches, Jen McCaffrey of MassLive.com reports. "You can tell people that, but until they experience it," Dombrowski said. "When he's hitting at the minor league level and it's a 2-0 count and there's nobody on base and they're losing by a run he's probably seeing a fastball the majority of the time and here he might see a changeup or breaking ball."

Dombrowski said he doesn't regret bringing Boston's top prospect up to the majors for September, feeling a minor league player will never learn what its like at the major league level until they're here. With rare exception, every minor-leaguer will struggle when promoted to MLB. Moncada, who is currently playing third base in the Arizona Fall League, went 3-for-5 with a double and solo homer in his first game for the Surprise Saguaros. He'll continue to get action at third base in the AFL and is most likely to start the 2017 season in the minors.

Donaldson went 3-for-5 with an RBI and two runs in Sunday's series-clinching win over the Rangers.

Donaldson's second run in Game 3 of the ALDS was the walkoff winner as he barely beat the throw home after a botched double play in the bottom of the 10th inning. Through four postseason games, the third baseman is 9-for-18 (.500) with five doubles, three RBI and five runs. Donaldson, who's averaged a homer per 15 at-bats over the past two season, has yet to go deep in the 2016 playoffs.

LeMahieu is out of the lineup Sunday against the Brewers.

The Rockies will hold LeMahieu out during the season finale in order to protect his .348 average on the season, which will allow him to claim the NL batting title by a narrow margin over injured Nationals second baseman Daniel Murphy (glute). Pat Valaika will man second base with LeMahieu sitting out.

Alvarez is out of the lineup Sunday against the Yankees, MLB.com reports.

Alvarez will be on the bench for the fifth game in a row. The Orioles will look to make outfield defense a greater priority by moving Mark Trumbo to DH to clear room for the speedier Michael Bourn in right field. A .208 average and three homers over 59 plate appearances since the start of September haven't helped Alvarez's argument for a regular lineup spot.

Valencia is out of the lineup Sunday against the Mariners.

Valencia, who's been dealing with a neck issue, was a late addition to the lineup Saturday. He proceeded to go 0-for-4 and strike out twice. He'll return to the bench Sunday while Matt Olson starts in right field.