Plouffe was designated for assignment by the Athletics on Thursday, Jane Lee of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

No surprise here, as the Athletics opted to cast the struggling veteran off the 40-man roster in order to bring top prospect Matt Chapman up to the big leagues. Plouffe only batted .214 this season, although he's not too far removed from some quality big-league innings, so it wouldn't be too surprising to see him land another MLB job relatively soon.

Plouffe is expected to be designated for assignment Thursday, Joel Sherman of the New York Post reports.

EDGE Analysis

The Athletics need a 40-man roster spot cleared to allow Matt Chapman to head to the big leagues, and given Plouffe's disappointing .214/.276/.357 slash line on the season, he is a pretty clear candidate to get the boot. He's unlikely to accept a minor-league assignment given his relatively recent success in the big leagues, so he very well could find a new home fairly soon once he's officially exposed to waivers.

Plouffe is out of the lineup Wednesday against the Marlins, Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.

EDGE Analysis

The lack of a designated hitter spot will keep Plouffe glued to the bench Wednesday, but even if the game were being played in Oakland, the veteran third baseman wouldn't be guaranteed entry into the lineup. He ended up sitting out the Athletics' final two games against the Rays over the past weekend, so it seems Plouffe, who is hitting a career-worst .215/.278/.359 this season, may be playing himself out of an everyday role. Ryon Healy will man the hot corner Wednesday and could end up finding himself at the position on a regular basis.

Plouffe is not in the lineup Tuesday against the Marlins, Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.

EDGE Analysis

With Oakland playing in a National League park, there's no designated hitter spot to allow both Ryon Healy and Plouffe to be in the lineup. Healy will get the nod at the hot corner Tuesday, although Plouffe could see his playing time dwindle when they return to American League play given his poor .217 batting average on the season.

Plouffe is out of the lineup Sunday against the Rays, Roger Mooney of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

EDGE Analysis

Plouffe will ride the pine for the third time in five games with manager Bob Melvin opting to make room in the lineup for the newly recalled Jaycob Brugman, who turned in a pair of two-hit efforts in Saturday's doubleheader. If Brugman continues to hit well, it wouldn't be surprising if Plouffe was gradually phased out of the lineup, as the veteran third baseman hasn't done much this season to warrant everyday at-bats. He's hitting .217/.279/.361 over 197 plate appearances, with all three batting marks representing career lows.

Plouffe is out of the lineup for the second game of Saturday's doubleheader.

EDGE Analysis

Plouffe started game one Saturday, going 1-for-4 during the extra-inning loss and being replaced by Matt Olson as a pinch hitter during the top of the ninth. For the second game, Ryon Healy will take his place at third.

Plouffe went 1-for-2 with a home run and a walk in Wednesday's loss to Toronto.

EDGE Analysis

Plouffe blasted a 1-0 fastball from Francisco Liriano 410 feet to left field, bringing the A's to within one run. Plouffe has been struggling through a major power drought lately. He hadn't homered in 20 games and had just one RBI during that stretch. While Plouffe can provide some home runs in bunches, he doesn't offer much else.

Plouffe is not in the lineup Tuesday against the Blue Jays, Jane Lee of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Plouffe is hitless in his last 18 at-bats, so he'll get a night off to clear his head. Ryon Healy will move to the hot corner to spell him Tuesday evening.

Plouffe is out of Saturday's lineup against the Nationals, Joe Stiglich of NBC Sports California reports.

EDGE Analysis

This will be his third game off over the past seven contests, as a 5-for-40 (.125 AVG) cold streak over his last 11 games has understandably cost him at-bats. Ryon Healy will start at third base and hit sixth.

Plouffe is out of the lineup Thursday against the Indians.

EDGE Analysis

Plouffe will be held out of the starting lineup after making three straight starts, and 12 of the last 13 overall. He'll give way to Ryon Healy -- who owns a .847 OPS since the start of May -- at third base.