MLB Player News

National League Rookie of the Year candidate Matt Duffy went 3 for 4 with a home run, two RBI, a steal and two runs scored in a 5-0 win for the Giants over the Dodgers on Wednesday.

This performance brought Duffy's average to an even .300 and he continues to impress. With 12 homers, 28 doubles, 12 steals and 76 RBI, Duffy is becoming a must-own in every format. The problem is that he showed no power in the minors or in college and it's tough to gauge if this is sustainable next season.

Royals third baseman Mike Moustakas went 1 for 4 with a two-run home run in a 5-3 win over the White Sox on Wednesday.

The home run came off lefty Jose Quintana, and that's a feat in itself for Moustakas. That's been the big change for Moustakas this season, as he has annually struggled against southpaws. This year however, he is batting .264 against lefties with a .456 SLG.

Twins shortstop Eduardo Escobar is out of the lineup for Game 1 of a doubleheader Wednesday against host Cleveland.

While Escobar will take the first game off, it seems likely he'll receive the start for the nightcap while others rest.

Rockies slugger Carlos Gonzalez clobbered his 40th homer of the season Tuesday in a loss to Arizona.

In so doing, Gonzalez and Nolan Arenado (41 homers) became the first pair of Rockies teammates to reach the 40-homer plateau in the same season since 1997. Gonzalez leads the major leagues with 27 second-half bombs.

Indians third baseman Giovanny Urshela (shoulder) remains out of the lineup Tuesday against the Twins.

According to Jordan Bastian of MLB.com, the Indians remain undecided on what to do with Urshela, who is now set to miss his 11th straight start as a result of the shoulder injury. Technically, Urshela's not shut down, but manager Terry Francona will not return Urshela to action unless he receives the green light from the training staff.

Athletics infielder Danny Valencia (elbow) is in the lineup for Monday's game against the Angels, Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.

Valencia will get the start Monday despite taking a pitch off the elbow the day before. He will bat cleanup against Angels starter Hector Santiago.

Indians infielder Jose Ramirez was scratched from Monday's lineup against the Twins.

Ramirez was initially slated to bat fifth and play third base, but Mike Aviles will assume the hot corner duties in the new lineup. It's unclear if the 23-year-old suffered a late setback, but the move may have been a reaction to a late pitching change by the Twins, switching from the right-handed Phil Hughes to southpaw Tommy Milone.

Twins third  baseman Trevor Plouffe (illness) is back in the lineup Monday against the Indians, LaVelle E. Neal of the Minneapolis Star Tribune reports.

Plouffe was held out of the lineup Sunday with an illness, but it was apparently not a major issue as he's back in the lineup Monday. He'll serve his usual third base duties and bat fifth.

Indians third baseman Giovanny Urshela (shoulder) is not in the lineup Monday against the Twins, Jordan Bastian of MLB.com reports.

Urshela has been sidelined since Sept. 17 with a shoulder injury, and there is still no clear timetable for a return at this point. Jose Ramirez will continue to fill in at third base, batting fifth Monday.

Rockies second baseman DJ LeMahieu went 1 for 4 with two RBI and three runs scored in Sunday's win over the Dodgers.

Despite finishing with a lone base hit in his four at-bats, LaMahieu would drive home runs on a fielder's choice and a sacrifice bunt. LeMahieu's lack of power typically prevents him from serving as much of a run producer, but his 59 RBI on the season are quite serviceable from a middle infielder.