MLB Player News

Duffy picked up right where he left off in 2015, going 2-for-5 with a home run and four RBI in Monday's win over the Brewers.

Duffy was hitting sixth Monday after batting third for most of spring training but that may change if he hits for this kind of power more often. The third baseman came out of nowhere to hit .295 with 12 homers and 12 stolen bases a season ago, so it's nice to see good early returns from him as he attempts to improve on those stats.

Almanzar only got one hit in 12 spring training plate appearances, striking out three times.

The 25-year-old hit .225 last year in his first full season in Triple-A Norfolk; coupled that with the fact that the Orioles have a star third baseman in Manny Machado, and Almanzar seems destined for another season in Norfolk.

Longoria was 2-for-4 with a double and RBI in Sunday's 5-3 loss to the Blue Jays.

The veteran third baseman was responsible for the first run of the Rays season, plating Logan Forsythe with a two-out third-inning single off Jays starter Marcus Stroman. Longoria was also Tampa's first baserunner of 2016, as he doubled to right field in the first. Although he had a generally unremarkable spring at the plate, the former All-Star did manage two homers, and was able to get some rest days in the latter stages of the exhibition slate. Apparently refreshed for Opening Day, he appeared to be the only Rays hitter to figure out Stroman in an otherwise dominant performance by the Blue Jays ace.

The Phillies placed Asche (oblique) on the 15-day disabled list Saturday, Ryan Lawrence of the Philly Voice reports.

Asche missed all of camp with the injury. He was nearing a return when he re-injured himself of a swing-and-miss during a game last week. He will likely be sidelined into late-April or early-May. Cedric Hunter is expected to see the majority of the playing time in Asche absence.

Plouffe went 1-for-4 with a double and a run scored on Friday against the Nationals.

The 29-year-old is batting .360/.400/.660 during 50 at-bats this spring, while adding four home runs and 14 RBI. Plouffe provides a good source of power for the Twins at third base and in fantasy leagues. In 2015, Plouffe hit 22 home runs and had 86 RBI. If he can continue his spring training form and improve upon his .244 batting average from last season, Plouffe could be due for another good season.

Manager Chip Hale said Friday that Segura, Chris Owings and Nick Ahmed will rotate around between second base and shortstop, Nick Piecoro of the Arizona Republic reports.

This doesn't affect Segura's fantasy value in any meaningful way, as he's still expected to see everyday playing time between the two middle-infield positions. Ahmed and Owings figure to split the leftover at-bats. Segura has been on an absolutely torrid run throughout the spring (1.317 OPS) and Hale said earlier this week that he feels "comfortable" with the 26-year-old as his leadoff hitter.

Reynolds was optioned to Triple-A Las Vegas on Friday.

Reynolds had an average spring training, hitting .263/.356/.316 with four RBI and two stolen bases. The former second-round pick will continue to develop in the minor leagues for most of 2016.

Duffy batted sixth in San Francisco's spring opener at AT&T Park on Thursday. Manager Bruce Bochy hinted that this could be his Opening Day lineup April 4, CSN Bay Area reports.

The spring training finale between the Athletics and the Giants is usually when manager Bruce Bochy showcases his starting lineup for the regular season. While he wouldn't guarantee that this is his the exact look the Giants will have come Opening Day, he did hint that it could offer a good preview. If that's the case, Duffy would be slotted lower in the lineup than originally expected. From a fantasy perspective, this could hurt his run-producing counting stats. However, hitting third in front of Buster Posey and Hunter Pence would have limited his stolen base opportunities, but being slotted lower in the lineup could lead to more steals, closer to his minor league totals of 25 in 2013 and 20 in 2014.

Suarez went 1-for-3 with a strikeout in Tuesday's exhibition game against the Brewers.

Suarez is hitting the ball very well in his 19 spring training games, .346/.424/.596, along with two home runs and 10 RBI. He's the likely candidate to take most of the starts at third base after the departure of Todd Frazier to the White Sox, and might also see some time at second base and shortstop.

Manager Chip Hale said Wednesday that he feels "comfortable" with Segura being the team's leadoff hitter, Steve Gilbert of MLB.com reports.

Segura has been one of the hottest hitters in baseball this spring, going 29-for-55 (.527 average) with three homers, 11 RBI and five steals in eight attempts. He's only walked twice, though, after walking at just a 2.2 percent clip in his final year in Milwaukee. Regardless, the team thinks Segura has earned everyday at-bats, either at second base or shortstop, and it sounds like he will push A.J. Pollock (elbow) to the two-hole at least to begin the season.