MLB Player News

Indians infielder Zach Walters gets his first start of the season at shortstop on Sunday. 

Walters replaces Jose Ramirez, who has started 23 games at short this season. He'll bat ninth in the order. 

The Indians are -160 money-line favorites at home against Minnesota. 

The Pirates are using Sunday to give several players a break from starting, as right fielder Gregory Polanco, second baseman Neil Walker and first baseman Pedro Alvarez are not in the lineup against the Cardinals.

The Cardinals are sending a lefty to the mound, making it the first time in 10 games that the Pirates have faced a lefty starter. Polanco and Alvarez have been in the lineup for that entire stretch but also sat in the team's last game against a southpaw. The switch-hitting Walker also received last Sunday off from starting.

With the shakeup to the lineup, Josh Harrison will man second and return to the leadoff spot, while Jung Ho Kang will bat second and play third base.

The Pirates are favorites (-115) at home Sunday.

Phillies infielders Chase Utley, Cody Asche and Ryan Howard are back in the lineup for Sunday's game against the Mets.

The Phillies gave all three a break from starting with a lefty on the mound Saturday, but all have returned to their regular roles.

The Phillies are home underdogs (+130) against the Mets Sunday.

Third baseman Evan Longoria returns to the field for the Rays for Sunday's game against Texas. 

Longoria had started at DH the last two games. He also makes his second straight start in the three-hole in the order after batting cleanup 29 times this season. 

Joey Butler returns to the DH spot 

Rays third baseman Evan Longoria went 2 for 3 at the plate in Tampa Bay's 7-2 win over the Rangers on Saturday.

Longoria did his damage in the first inning when he ripped a 1-0 pitch from Ross Detwiler over the center field wall for a three-run shot, his fourth of the season. Longoria moved his average to .304 with 12 RBI in 102 at-bats this season.

Leadoff hitter Jean Segura connected for a solo home run in the Brewers' victory over the Cubs on Friday.

The home run was his second of the year and first since April 11.

Phillies third baseman Cody Asche was out of the lineup again on Saturday against the Mets, but may be preparing for a shift to the outfield, according to MLB.com.

Asche is shagging fly balls in the outfield and working on outfield drills during pregame warmups with the club. 

"He's looked fine," manager Ryne Sandberg said. "He seems to have the moves and the foot speed for it. He seems to be doing all right if that would ever be the case."

But Sandberg wouldn't say for sure whether Asche will move to the outfield. Asche has played exclusively at third base in his major league career and is hitting .237 with two home runs in 97 at-bats this season.

Two infield regulars are out of the Phillies' lineup for Saturday's game. 

Slumping second baseman Chase Utley will sit out for the third time in the last four games. Cesar Hernandez takes his place. 

Third baseman Cody Asche also goes to the bench, replaced by Andres Blanco.

Twins third baseman Trevor Plouffe is not in the starting lineup for Saturday's game against the Indians.

Plouffe is getting his first break from starting in three weeks, as he's manned the hot corner for 19 straight games. Eduardo Escobar will get the start Saturday and bat sixth.

The Twins have 50-50 odds (-105) against the Indians Saturday.

Josh Donaldson and Chris Colabello connected for solo home runs in the Blue Jays' rout of the Red Sox on Friday.

Donaldson delivered a first-inning solo shot while Colabello added a bases-empty blast in the second.