MLB Player News

Phillies third baseman Cody Asche could be activated from the disabled list Thursday, MLB.com reports.

Asche is on the disabled list with a strained hamstring, but he began a Class A rehab assignment Friday and hasn't suffered any setbacks. He has hit .258/.346/.425 with four home runs and 18 RBI in 120 at-bats.

Rockies third baseman Nolan Arenado is expected to get more X-rays Thursday on his broken left finger, per The Denver Post. The Rockies are expecting to outline a timeframe for Arenado's return following Thursday's exam.

"Everything is pending that X-ray," Rockies trainer Keith Dugger said. "He's done everything he can do. The only things he's not doing is taking groundballs and swinging."

Although Nationals infielder Anthony Rendon had to bat leadoff Sunday at St. Louis in place of the injured Denard Span, he's found a home in the Washington lineup batting second.

In 45 games hitting second, Rendon is batting .269 with a .440 slugging percentage, .773 OPS, three triples, six home runs, seven doubles, 21 RBI and 35 runs.

"I think he's pretty good where he's at," Washington manager Matt Williams said. "He sees a lot of pitches, which contributes to his on-base percentage. He's got the ability to hit the other way, he handles the bat well, he's pretty suited for No. 2. He could lead off if we needed him to lead off. He could probably hit five or six and drive runs in as well, we've seen him do that as well. But I think right now he's a pretty good two-hole hitter.

"He's still pretty young -- last year was his first year, it's not like he's been around 10, but he's handled it fine. He stays on pitches, he hits the breaking ball well, he hits the ball to right field and will move a runner when we need to move a runner, he handles the bat. So it's a pretty good spot for him."

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. 

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.

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.  

Phillies third baseman Cody Asche is participating in simulated games at the team's spring training complex in Florida, according to manager Ryne Sandberg. Asche will probably begin a rehab assignment Friday.

Cubs manager Rick Renteria said Monday the team has no plans to demote struggling third baseman Mike Olt to the minors.

"If that’s ever to be a situation that we would consider that would be something we would be talking about [internally]," Renteria said, per ESPN. "Right now he’s here with us. He’s going to continue to develop his skills here."

However, Renteria said Olt won't play every day while he struggles offensively.

"We’re going to pick the matchups that put him in a position to have success," Renteria said. "We want him to know he shouldn’t be too concerned about anything. Things happen. You have hiccups. I know there was a time when he was doing very, very well and everybody wanted him in there every single day so we started putting him in there. You give him rope and allow them to go out there and perform and feel the landscape. Now we’re going to pull back a little bit."

Nationals infielder Anthony Rendon is out of the lineup for the third straight game Monday, but he is available as a pinch hitter and will likely return to the lineup Tuesday, the Washington Post reports.

"He’s good," manager Matt Williams said Monday. "He’s a little bit sore still. He hit today. He’s a lot better today than he was yesterday. I think one more day, he’ll be ready to go tomorrow. Still a little sore, though."

Rendon has been battling a thumb injury suffered on a defensive play Friday, but it sounds like his return is imminent. He has hit .272/.328/.470 with nine home runs and 34 RBI in 232 at-bats.