MLB Player News

Escobar (hamstring) has started running and should be close to going out on a rehab assignment, LaVelle E. Neal of the Minneapolis Star Tribune reports.

Escobar went on the DL on May 7 and it sounds like he may only miss the minimum 15 days. Eduardo Nunez has taken over as the primary shortstop with Escobar hurt.

Longoria went 2-for-4 with a double and a solo homer in Sunday's 7-6 loss to the A's.

The veteran third baseman's modest hitting streak is now at four games, a stretch that has featured a double in each contest as well. The solo homer was Longoria's third of May and brings his RBI total for the month to nine, just one shy of equaling his April figure in that category.

Valencia went 3-for-5 with three home runs and five RBI, including a game-winning two-run shot in the top of the ninth inning, during Sunday's 7-6 victory over the Rays.

He now has five homers in his last three games after going the first six weeks of the season without leaving the yard once. Valencia will look to continue his hot streak when the A's head back to Oakland to begin a seven-game homestand Monday.

Twins manager Paul Molitor suggested after Sunday's game that Plouffe has been playing at less than 100 percent recently, ESPN reports.

In all likelihood Plouffe is still bothered a bit by the intercostal strain that landed him on the DL for the last couple of weeks in April, but Molitor didn't go into specifics on what exactly is ailing the third baseman. Minnesota doesn't get another break in their schedule until May 26, so after sitting out Sunday's game, don't be surprised if Plouffe receives a couple more days off in the meantime.

Donaldson was ejected from Sunday's game at Texas for his involvement in a bench-clearing brawl, Stefan Stevenson of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram reports.

The eighth-inning brawl was precipitated by Matt Bush plunking Jose Bautista, who proceeded to take out Rougned Odor in an attempt to break up a double play at second base. After some posturing, Odor clocked Bautista with a closed right fist, and the dance of the Blue Jays and Rangers was in full force. Although it's unclear what role Donaldson played in the ensuing action, he could be subject to a suspension once MLB examines the tape.

Suarez went 3-for-6 with a three-run homer Sunday at Philadelphia.

Suarez's seventh bomb of the season moved the Reds out to a seven-run lead in a game they'd win easily. He came into this game mired in a 2-for-22 slump, but three hits raised his batting average 12 points to .250.

Duffy was held out of Sunday's lineup due to a tight hamstring, John Shea of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.

What was originally thought to be a routine day off turned out to be injury-related, as Duffy will relinquish his regular third base duties in hopes of giving the hamstring the rest it needs. With a team day off scheduled for Monday, the timing seemed right for getting Duffy a bit of a break. Consider him day-to-day for the time being.

Duffy is out of the lineup Sunday against the Diamondbacks.

Chalk this up as a routine day of rest for Duffy, who will be held out of the lineup for the first time since May 4. Conor Gillaspie will take over at the hot corner for the afternoon contest.

Longoria went 2-for-4 with a double in Saturday's 6-0 victory over the A's.

The veteran third baseman now has a three-game hitting streak, with a double in each of those contests as well. Longoria is having a slightly better May than April, as he's slashing a respectable .262/.347/.524 line over 42 at-bats during the month.

Alvarez will start at third base and bat seventh Sunday against the Tigers.

It's the second straight start at the keystone for Alvarez, who has been utilized primarily as a designated hitter this season. The 29-year-old's subpar defense could make him susceptible to getting replaced by Ryan Flaherty late in contests, but Alvarez's considerable pop may be enough for him to earn semi-frequent starts at third base while Manny Machado moves over to fill in at shortstop for J.J. Hardy (foot), who remains on the DL.