MLB Player News

The hot streak of Twins third baseman Trevor Plouffe continued Wednesday in a loss to Detroit. He slammed two more hits, including a three-run homer that gave his team a short-lived 7-3 lead.

Plouffe, who added a single, has hit safely in 10 of his last 11 games, raising his average from .133 to .250 in the process.

Rockies second baseman DJ LeMahieu is out of the starting lineup Wednesday against the Diamondbacks with Daniel Descalso drawing the start, according the Denver Post.

It is just LeMahieu's second night off of the early season after playing eight straight contests. He is hitting .406 with 13 RBI in 69 at-bats. Descalso is hitting .136 in 22 at-bats this year.

The Rockies are currently the underdogs (+105) against Arizona.

Giants second baseman Joe Panik and shortstop Brandon Crawford are back in the starting lineup Wednesday against the Dodgers, the team announced.

Panik has altered starts with Matt Duffy for the last four games, with Wednesday being Panik's second start in four games. Panik is hitting .296 in 71 at-bats this season. Crawford got just his second day off the season Tuesday with Joaquin Arias getting the start.

Crawford is hitting .215 in 65 at-bats this season.

The early-season slump of Orioles third baseman Manny Machado feels like more of a distant memory by the day.

Machado managed his first three-hit and three-run game of the year Wednesday against the visiting White Sox, giving him 10 hits in his last six games. He raised his average to a season-high .254 in the process.

He doubled and scored in a six-run first inning, then singled twice. His on-base percentage has peaked at .325.

Nationals infielder Anthony Rendon hit some before Wednesday's game with Double-A Harrisburg but said he didn't feel good enough to play, MASN Sports reports.

Rendon is rehabbing from a knee injury but is also dealing with tightness in his side. It'll be his third straight game missed with Double-A Harrisburg.

Rays third baseman Evan Longoria was hitless in four at-bats Tuesday against the Yankees, ending his hitting streak at six games.

Longoria hit .565 (13 for 23) with two RBI, three doubles, one walk and five runs during his hitting streak. His hit streak came after Longoria opened the season in an 8-for-43 slump (.186).

Its only April, but the addition of third baseman Josh Donaldson certainly appears to be a great one for the Blue Jays.

Donaldson has been mashing since an 0-for-7 start to the season. He remained on a roll Tuesday night with a three-hit game against Boston in which he singled in a run and scored in the third, singled and scored in the fourth and put the cherry on top in the ninth with a 415-foot solo homer to center.

The big night gave Donaldson 24 hits in his last 57 at-bats and 13 RBI during that stretch. He boasts a fine slash line of .349/.402/.602.

Twins right fielder Torii Hunter received another day of rest on Wednesday against the Tigers. With Hunter on the bench, Minnesota moved Oswaldo Arcia to right field, with Eduardo Escobar playing left.

Hunter is hitting .203 (14 for 69) with one homers and seven RBI in 18 games.

Phillies third baseman Cody Asche was chasing down fly balls in left field during batting practice prior to Tuesday's game against the Cardinals.

“I wanted him to do it,” manager Ryne Sandberg told CSNPhilly.com. “It could be helpful down the road adding versatility.”

Asche was introduced to playing in the outfield in February before he stopped workouts to focus on getting ready to be the team's starting third baseman. However, now that his workouts in the outfield has resumed, it could be to clear a path for Philadelphia to promote third-base prospect Maikel Franco, who is off to a good start with Triple-A Lehigh Valley (.333/.371/.512/.883).

“We’re covering all bases, preparing for situations that could arise,” he said.

Nationals third baseman Anthony Rendon reported some tightness in his side -- not related to his injured knee -- on Tuesday, manager Matt Williams told reporters, per MASN Sports. Rendon was held out of the starting lineup for Double-A Harrisburg and will receive treatment for the day in hopes of resuming his rehab assignment on Wednesday.