MLB Player News

Duffy is playing shortstop and batting second Friday against the Yankees, Bill Chastain of MLB.com reports.

Friday's debut with the Rays against CC Sabathia and the Yankees will be Duffy's first MLB contest since he was injured June 19. During three rehab games at Triple-A Durham, Duffy went 2-for-11 with two strikeouts.

Asche was optioned to Triple-A Lehigh Valley on Friday.

Asche will head to Lehigh Valley to make room for Peter Bourjos, as Bourjos returned from the disabled list Friday. Asche, who's hitting just .213/.281/.362 for the season, has posted a batting average of just .129 since the All-Star break.

Duffy has been activated by the Rays on Friday.

Duffy, who has been on the DL since June 20, will make his Rays debut this weekend against Yankees. Duffy was traded to Tampa Bay in the deal that sent Matt Moore to the Giants. On the season, Duffy was hitting .253/.313/.358 in 257 at-bats with the Giants. The 25-year-old will most likely play first base for the time being with Logan Morrison currently on the 15-day DL.

Ramirez went 1-for-4 with a solo home run and two runs scored during Thursday's win against the Angels.

Ramirez has been one of MLB's hottest hitters in August, posting a ridiculous .459 batting average with almost as many doubles (4) as strikeouts (5). The 23-year-old is also currently riding a 15-game hitting streak and has seen his average rise to .309.

Moncada (ankle) returned to the lineup Thursday at Double-A Portland, Alex Speier of The Boston Globe reports.

Boston's top prospect suffered a Grade 1 ankle sprain last week and missed a handful of games, but the injury has healed to the point where he's well enough to return to the lineup. Moncada has slashed .285/.359/.540 with eight home runs and eight steals since being promoted to Double-A.

Escobar is not in the lineup for game two of the doubleheader against the Astros on Thursday.

Escobar played at short for the day game, going 2-for-4 with two strikeouts, and will get the nightcap off. In his place, Jorge Polanco slides over to shortstop while batting sixth.

Rendon went 2-for-4 with two doubles and two RBI in Wednesday's win over the Indians.

He's become a doubles machine in August, with six of his 10 hits so far on the month being two-baggers, giving Rendon a .357/.441/.571 slash line through eight games with six RBI and five runs scored. He's had a reasonably productive season so far but it looks like Rendon's saved his best work for the stretch run.

Duffy (Achilles) will be activated by the Rays on Friday, the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Duffy completed his final rehab game for Triple-A Durham on Wednesday, and after going 5-for-17 at the plate over a five-game rehab stint, the team determined the infielder is ready to join them at the big league level. During that rehab assignment, Duffy played all five games at shortstop, the spot he'll presumably take over upon his return to the majors. The Rays have a team day off Thursday, but Duffy should be on the roster by the time they open a three-game set against the Yankees on Friday.

Segura went 3-for-5 with a walk and a pair of doubles and runs scored in the Diamondbacks extra innings win over the Mets on Wednesday.

Segura had been just a bit cold of late, hitting just .254 over his previous 15 games entering Wednesday, but turned things around with the three-hit day. The solid night raised Segura's batting average to .311 on the year, and the doubles give him 41 extra-base hits, more than respectable for a leadoff hitter.

Alvarez is not in Wednesday's lineup against Oakland, Roch Kubatko of MASN Sports reports.

Alvarez will get the day off after three consecutive starts, with the Orioles deploying a right-handed heavy lineup against southpaw Ross Detwiler. Matt Wieters will occupy the DH spot in his absence, batting seventh.