MLB Player News

X-rays have ruled out broken ribs for Twins third baseman Trevor Plouffe, the St. Paul Pioneer Press reports.

Plouffe believes he's suffered a bruise or strain in the rib/oblique area. His availability Sunday will depend on how he feels after a night of rest, but he appears unlikely to play. The Twins are expected to make at least one roster move before Sunday's game after suffering multiple injuries Saturday.

Rays third baseman Evan Longoria went 2 for 4 with a home run and three RBI in his team's 7-3 loss to the Astros Saturday.

Longoria kicked off the scoring with an RBI single in the first inning and added a two-run home run in the fifth. Unfortunately for the Rays, the Astros strung together seven runs in between Longoria's key hits, and the Rays' offense wasn't able to add any more runs after the homer. He has hit .265/.330/.396 with eight home runs and 32 RBI in 268 at-bats.

Twins third baseman Trevor Plouffe was forced out of Saturday's game against the Tigers with a left oblique strain, the MLB.com reports.

Plouffe was replaced by Eduardo Nunez in the fourth inning. He is hitting .241/.320/.400 with five homers and 38 RBI in 245 at-bats. His status remains uncertain for Sunday's series finale against the Tigers.

A three-hit Friday night has Orioles third baseman Manny Machado back to the second hole in the lineup for the Saturday game against Toronto.

Machado singled twice and doubled against the Blue Jays to break a 1-for-20 slide. He had batted seventh in the previous three games.

Phillies infielder Cody Asche homered twice to start his rehab assignment Friday with Class A Lakewood.

Asche went 2 for 3 with two runs scored and four RBI in his first game action. He is expected to play in Lakewood until Sunday before joining Triple-A Lehigh Valley for three or four more games before his return to the big-league club. 

Royals infielder Danny Valencia is scheduled to begin a minor-league rehab assignment with Double-A Northwest Arkansas on Sunday, the Kansas City Star reports. Valencia will only need a few games before returning from the disabled list, according to the paper.

Rockies promising third baseman Nolan Arenado is perturbed that he won't be ready to return from a finger injury in time for a key series this weekend in San Francisco, but he's encouraged by his progress.

"I think it's healing great," he told MLB.com. "It's feeling better, I'm starting to move it a little bit and it doesn't hurt. There's no pain anymore."

The finger will be examined again next week. If it's deemed to be healed enough, the Rockies will accelerate his rehab. A minor league stint is likely.

The Athletics have given slumping third baseman Josh Donaldson the night off for their Wednesday night game against the host Angels.

Donaldson, who told the media before the game that he wouldn't mind the break, is hitless in his last 21 at-bats to drop his average from .284 to .260.

Phillies manager Ryne Sandberg said Wednesday third baseman Cody Asche (hamstring) will begin a rehab assignment with Class A Lakewood Friday. Asche is expected to need 6-7 games before coming off the 15-day disabled list.

After missing three games with a thumb injury, Nationals infielder Anthony Rendon is back in the lineup as expected Tuesday against the Giants.

Rendon suffered an injury to his thumb while playing the field Friday, but has progressed enough that he will take his usual place at third base and batting second for Tuesday's game.