MLB Player News

Rivera is out of the lineup for the second straight game Sunday against the Marlins.

Rivera was expected to be a primary option at second base when Scooter Gennett (oblique) hit the disabled list, but manager Craig Counsell has now utilized Aaron Hill at the keystone with Colin Walsh at third in back-to-back contests. The 23-year-old Rivera certainly hasn't helped his case of late by falling into a 0-for-12 slump. If he's unable to get it going at the plate soon, a trip back to Triple-A Colorado Springs might be in order, as the Brewers will continue to evaluate as many young assets as possible over the course of this rebuilding year.

Machado will bat leadoff against the White Sox on Saturday.

With Joey Rickard on the bench, Machado will move up for his third start atop the order this season. Machado had two more hits out of the two-hole Friday, his 10th multi-hit game already this year. He currently ranks third in the American League in home runs with seven.

Escobar went 1-for-4 with an RBI in Friday's 9-2 loss to the Tigers.

Like the majority of his teammates, the five-year veteran is struggling at the plate overall, slashing a mediocre .231/.277/.295 line on the season. Escobar has hit safely in seven of the last 10 contests however, providing some measure of consistency. While his five doubles currently have him tied with Joe Mauer and Brian Dozier for the team lead, he's been silent with the long ball this season after having launched 12 homers over 409 at-bats in 2015.

Manager Bob Melvin said Saturday that Valencia (hamstring) will play in three minor league rehab games before rejoining the A's, Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.

A location and start date for his rehab has not been officially announced, but Valencia suggested he will likely head out soon to join the team's High-A Stockton affiliate. It seems Valencia has a chance to return May 6 when first eligible.

Arenado went 1-for-4 with a solo homer against the Diamondbacks on Friday.

Arenado's 10th blast of the year put the Rockies comfortably ahead in a game in which they blew out Arizona. The slugger's on fire as he's now homered in three straight contests and raised his slash line to .287/.354/.678.

Valencia (hamstring) ran 12 30-yard sprints Thursday, and is also hitting off a pitching machine, Joe Stiglich of CSN California reports.

It was reported earlier in the week that Valencia was hitting off a tee and generally progressing well, and it seems he's successfully ramped up his activity in recent days. Valencia figures to ultimately head out on a short rehab assignment, before returning to the major league roster possibly as soon as May 6.

Plouffe (intercostal strain) will begin a rehab assignment with High-A Fort Myers on Saturday, Mike Berardino of the St. Paul Pioneer Press reports.

This is in line with the last report on Plouffe's status, as he continues to target a May 3 return to the Twins. He will play seven innings at third base Saturday and nine innings at third base Sunday, at which point the next step will be determined.

Machado went 2-for-5 with a walk, grand slam, career-high five RBI and three runs in Thursday's 10-2 shellacking of the White Sox.

After starting the season on a 16-game hitting streak, Machado went hitless (0-for-17) in his next four games. He got back on track Thursday by blasting his team-leading seventh homer of the year and raising his batting average to .333. His slash line of .333/.389/.678 is well above the 23-year-old's career averages, but growth is to be expected from the young superstar who has been held back by injuries early in his career.

Duffy went 3-for-4 with three runs scored as he continued to hit third against the Padres on Wednesday.

After starting the season off with a bang (two homers in three games), Duffy has fallen into a prolonged cold streak. Manager Bruce Bochy tried to wake his bat by moving Duffy to third in the order on April 22. Since that time, he is batting .333 with a pair of three-hit games including Wednesday's. His .288 BABIP is still about 50 points lower than last year's and his 28.0 LD% is actually higher than last year's (20.9 LD%), so his batting average should continue to climb.

Rendon is not in the lineup Thursday against Washington, Mark Zuckerman of MASN reports.

It looks like a routine day off for Rendon, as the Nationals go with Stephen Drew at third base in his place. Drew will bat eighth in the order against Philadelphia's Aaron Nola.