MLB Player News

Nationals second baseman Anthony Rendon has returned to the starting lineup Friday.

Rendon sat Thursday in favor of Danny Espinosa. Despite the strong game from Espinosa, Rendon will get his turn to start Friday. Both players are expected to receive playing time this season, and could be in and out of the lineup quite a bit if they continue to produce. 

Cubs corner infielder Mike Olt clubbed his first career home run during a 3-2 win Thursday against the Pirates.

Olt, who was playing in his third game for the Cubs and making his 19th MLB appearance, crushed a solo home run to right field leading off the second inning against Wandy Rodriguez. It would be his only hit in three at-bats.

Olt is batting .143 (1 for 7) with three strikeouts through three games.

Nationals second baseman Anthony Rendon is not in the team's starting lineup Thursday.

Rendon will be replaced by Danny Espinosa, who will hit seventh. Rendon won the second base job out of camp, but manager Matt Williams has said both players will see playing time at the position.

Brewers shortstop Jean Segura got his first day off in the team's third game, replaced by Jeff Bianchi in Wednesday's lineup against the Braves. Manager Ron Roenicke said he planned to give Segura, who dealt with a shoulder injury late in spring training, extra days off early in season, per MLB.com.

"This was the plan with Segura to make sure we take care of the arm," Roenicke said. "There's been no setbacks, which is great, and I don't want there to be."

Nationals second baseman Anthony Rendon connected for a three-run homer in the 10th inning and had a career-high four RBI during a 9-7 win opening day against the Mets. Rendon's other RBI came on a double in the seventh inning.

Rendon, who is in his second season in the majors, hit .289 with a .400 slugging percentage, .753 OPS, one home run, two doubles and six RBI in 16 spring games.

Phillies third baseman Cody Asche went 3 for 4 with one double, one home run, one walk, two RBI and four runs in his team's 14-10 win over the Rangers on Opening Day.

Asche struggled to get going offensively this spring, hitting just .170/.274/.377 in 53 at-bats, but he saved everything for a breakout performance in the team's first game of the 2014 season. He'll need to continue to produce this season with another highly-regarded third-base prospect waiting in the wings in the form of Maikel Franco.

Brewers shortstop Jean Segura is in the team's starting lineup Monday.

Segura will play short and hit second. He had been dealing with a shoulder injury late in camp, but improved enough over the last couple days to avoid a stint on the disabled list. Segura hit .294/.329/.423 in 588 at-bats last year.

Cubs third baseman Mike Olt will hit fifth against the Pirates Monday.

Olt surprised a lot of people this spring, hitting .276 with five home runs. He'll get the start at third and face off against Francisco Liriano.

Brewers manager Ron Roenicke confirmed shortstop Jean Segura will start Monday, according to MLB.com.

Segura had been dealing with shoulder issues late in camp, putting his availability in doubt. He was placed on the opening day roster, leading to speculation he was good to go to start the season. Segura will likely hit near the top of the lineup Monday.

Brewers shortstop Jean Segura avoided the disabled list Sunday.

Segura had been dealing with shoulder issues late in camp, and it was unclear whether they would require a stint on the DL. Segura is expected to start Monday's season opener for the club.