MLB Player News

Braves second baseman Jace Peterson went 2 for 6 at the plate in Atlanta's 3-2 win over the Brewers on Saturday in 11 innings. 

Peterson was just 1 for 5 before stepping to the plate in the 11th with runners on second and third. He ripped the first pitch he saw from Brandon Kintzler into left center field to score the game-winning run for Atlanta. 

"[Peterson] had a great at-bat," said Braves manager Fredi Gonzalez to MLB.com. "First pitch, got him. Base hit. When you play that long, especially at home, it's nice to win those games."

Peterson is now hitting .264 with 18 RBI in 129 at-bats this season.

"I was trying to be aggressive," Peterson said. "Trying to get a fastball, and he threw it first pitch, so I was just trying to get a base hit and trying to get the run in."

Pirates first baseman Pedro Alvarez launched his eighth home run of the season in the 8-2 victory over the Mets on Saturday. Alvarez, who also had an RBI-double on the afternoon, hit his solo home run in the bottom of the first off Matt Harvey, giving his club an early 3-0 lead. 

This was his third home run over his last 10 games, but is still sporting a low .233 batting average on the season. 

“It’s always good when Pedro drives in a couple runs in a game,” manager Clint Hurdle said, per the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. “Usually works out well for us.”

Shelved Nationals third baseman Anthony Rendon, who has been sidelined all season with knee and oblique injuries, took batting practice Saturday for the first time since going down, per CSNWashington.com.

Rendon is still quite far away from returning to the team, however. He still must participate in similated games starting early next week before heading out on a rehab assignment. There remains no timetable for him to rejoin the Nationals.

"He feels good where he is at right now," manager Matt Williams said about Rendon. "We'll assess again tomorrow and see. After yesterday, he reported today feeling great."

Cubs Opening Day third baseman Mike Olt is making progress in recovering from a fractured wrist, suffered in the second week of the season. 

Olt got the cast off of his wrist last week and took batting practice for the first time this week. 

When Olt returns, he'll find out that his spot has been filled by rookie Kris Bryant. 

"Kris is doing a great job right now, and I’m just making sure I get this back to 100 percent and be able to play with that team wherever they need me," Olt said, per the Chicago Sun Times.

There's a possibility Olt may play the outfield when he returns to the Cubs. 

Rockies slumping slugger Nolan Arenado will occupy the second spot in the order Friday against San Francisco for just the second time this season.

Arenado, who began the season on fire, has just 10 hits in his last 51 at-bats with one home run during that stretch. His average has fallen from .314 to .270 while he has fanned 12 times in the last 10 games.

Nationals third baseman Anthony Rendon's knee is 100 percent and he feels no pain in his oblique, general manager Mike Rizzo told MLB Network Radio on Friday. However, Rizzo still doesn't have a timetable for Rendon's activation off the disabled list.

Rendon is fielding grounders and taking swings in the batting cage, but he is not quite ready to resume a rehab assignment, manager Matt Williams said Wednesday. Rendon was on a rehab assignment in early May before having to stop because of an oblique strain.

Williams said Friday that Rendon fielded around 40 grounders and turned some double plays at second base. He also took part in live batting practice for the first time since suffering his oblique injury.

With the Brewers looking more and more like eventual sellers, rival teams are saying pitchers Matt Garza and Kyle Lohse have limited trade value, according to CBSSports.com Baseball Insider Jon Heyman.

Early on, teams seem to be preferring Lohse due to his pending free agency at the end of the season, and his excellent clubhouse presence. Both pitchers have struggled this season, each with an ERA over 5.00 in nine starts. 

Heyman also notes that teams are unsure if the Brewers would consider trading young shortstop Jean Segura, who is currently on the disabled list with a broken finger. There seems to also be uncertainty whether catcher Jonathan Lucroy or outfielder Carlos Gomez would be available, though Gomez would probably be the most likely to go since his contract is up after the 2016 season. 

The hot streak that sent the numbers soaring for Braves second baseman Jace Peterson is decidedly over.

Peterson went on a 20-for-51 tear in late April and early May to catapult his average from .171 to .293 and increase his on-base percentage to .362. He has not gone into a slump, but he has certainly cooled off. Peterson has just five hits in 27 at-bats since.

His slash line is now at .269/.346/.328.

After starting six straight games, Giants second baseman Joe Panik is being held out of Thursday's lineup against the Dodgers. Panik has been hitting well lately, batting .282 with two doubles and a triple over his last 10 games. 

But, with tough lefty Clayton Kershaw on the mound for the Dodgers, Panik will cede the start at second base to Matt Duffy. 

Rockies third baseman Nolan Arenado, who has started all but two games, will not be in the starting lineup against the Phillies on Thursday.

Arenado is 1 for 15 in his last four games, dropping his season line to .265/.308/.500.

Daniel Descalso, who has started everywhere on the infield this season except third base, will replace Arenado on Thursday.