MLB Player News

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.

Pirates first baseman Pedro Alvarez is not listed in the starting lineup for Tuesday's game. It's just the second time this year that Alvarez has missed a start at first. 

Corey Hart replaces Alvarez at first. It's his second start there this season and second in the last seven games. He'll bat cleanup. 

The Pirates are +107 money line underdogs at the Cubs. 

Nationals infielder Anthony Rendon is not in the starting lineup for Double-A Harrisburg Tuesday, the Washington Post reports.

Rendon is working his way back from a knee injury, but he was scratched Monday after feeling fatigued. He is expected to be used at both second base and third base when he returns to the lineup.

Nationals manager Matt Williams said infielder Anthony Rendon will be used at second and third base when he returns to the lineup, reports CSNWashington.com.

Rendon is dealing with a knee injury, but he has begun his rehab assignment at Double-A. He was scheduled to play seven innings during a rehab game Monday, but he was a late scratch due to feeling fatigued, the team announced. 

"It's important for him just to make sure that he feels good," Williams said, per MLB.com. "That he feels able to play every day."

Phillies third baseman Cody Asche and catcher Carlos Ruiz are back in the starting lineup Monday against the Cardinals, the team announced.

Asche was given the day off Sunday after starting the last nine games in a row for Philadelphia. He is hitting .305 with two home runs and three RBI in 59 at-bats this season.

Ruiz got Sunday off after starting the last two games in a row, pushing Cameron Rupp to the bench. Ruiz is hitting .196 in 46 at-bats. The Phillies are currently the underdogs (+135) against St. Louis.

Nationals manager Matt Williams will have a decision to make when his regular third baseman Anthony Rendon comes back from injury. With Rendon on the shelf, Yunel Escobar has shifted to third and Williams is considering leaving him there even after Rendon returns, according to CBSSports.com Baseball Insider Jon Heyman.

The team is unsure yet what will happen when Rendon returns, but one theory has Escobar staying at third and Rendon shifting to second base, according to Heyman.

Escobar is hitting .292 with five RBI in 65 at-bats while slotted at third base.

Braves manager Fredi Gonzalez indicated Sunday that he's returning to his initial plan to use infielder Jace Peterson as his primary second baseman, MLB.com reports.

Peterson has shared time at second base with Alberto Callaspo, who has also made eight starts at third base, and Phil Gosselin, leading to Peterson seeing just 11 of a possible 17 starts at the position. He's seen action all over the starting lineup, batting first or second in four of the team's first five games but spending most of his time batting seventh or eighth as of late.

Peterson has hit just .171/.239/.220 in 41 at-bats. He's starting at second base and batting sixth in Sunday's matchup with the Phillies, in which the Braves are underdogs (+100).

Phillies third basemanb Cody Asche is not in the starting lineup for Sunday's game against the Braves.

Asche has started 13 straight games at the hot corner but will get a break from starting in Sunday's series finale. Cesar Hernandez will make the start at third basem and bat sixth against the Braves.

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

The woeful Brewers lost again Saturday night, but they can take at least a bit of solace that two of their key players had big games.

Both leadoff hitter Jean Segura and veteran third baseman Aramis Ramirez slammed two singles and a double.

The effort of the latter was particularly encouraging. Ramirez has emerged from a four-game hitless streak to hit safely in four of his last five. The multi-hit game was only his second since the opener.

Segura, on the other hand, has been pretty much raking all year. He has been the subject of trade rumors and his hot hitting can only raise his stock.