MLB Player News

Phillies third baseman Cody Asche will return Thursday, according to the Philadelphia Inquirer. 

Asche left a spring game after being hit on the hand Sunday. He was able to participate in batting practice Tuesday, and will play Thursday. Asche has missed three days due to the injury. He's expected to compete for the starting job at third.

Cubs third baseman Mike Olt hit his first home run of the spring Tuesday against the Athletics, after entering the game as a pinch-hitter. He drove in two in his lone at-bat, as he took Athletics' pitcher Michael Ynoa deep in the 8th inning in the 6-4 win.

Olt has appeared in just two of the Cubs' first five spring games, with one hit in three at-bats. He has dealt with a sore shoulder that has limited him in the field, though the injury is not considered serious.

Phillies third baseman Cody Asche took part in batting practice Tuesday, CSNPhilly.com reports.

Asche was struck on the hand by a pitch Sunday and lef the park with bruises and swelling but has recovered quickly and could even be back in the lineup Wednesday. He is competing with prospect Maikel Franco to open the season as the team's regular third baseman.

Phillies third baseman Cody Asche's preliminary ultrasound came back negative, according to CSN.

Asche left Sunday's game after being hit on the hand with a pitch. The team is calling the injury a hand bruise for now. It's unclear if more tests will be run. Asche hit .235 in 162 at-bats last year. He's competing for the starting job at first this spring.

Phillies third baseman Cody Asche had to leave Sunday's game after being hit in the hand by a pitch, according to CSN.

Asche is expected to compete for the starting third base job this season. Trainers came out and looked at him before he decided to leave the game. Asche hit .235/.302/.389 in 162 at-bats last season.

Cubs third baseman Mike Olt has been dealing with a sore right shoulder, CSNChicago.com reports. He served as the designated hitter in Wednesday's intrasquad game and Thursday's Cactus League opener.

"He’s doing well," manager Rick Renteria said Friday. "He’s throwing fine, and he’s been working at all the positions to get himself ready. We’re going to try to get him some at-bats and keep him active."

Olt has put his concussion and vision problems behind him, and if he can do the same with the shoulder issue, he could challenge for a starting role at third base, where the Cubs likely have Luis Valbuena penciled in as the starter.

Pirates third baseman Pedro Alvarez led the charge offensively in Friday's 4-2 loss to the Blue Jays, going 2 for 3 with two doubles and two runs before being replaced defensively.

Alvarez has been one of the more prolific power hitters at his position over the last two seasons, with 66 home runs to his credit, and he just missed his first home run of the spring when he picked up his first double with a shot off the center field wall. He's looking to improve on last season's .233/.296/.473 line.

The only hesitation Ron Roenicke has about batting shortstop Jean Segura leadoff this season is the possibility of him changing his approach at the plate.

"I don't want him to change because I put him in the leadoff spot," he told MLB.com.

Segura thrived batting mostly second last season with the Brewers. He is still being considered for that spot after batting .294 with 12 home runs, 49 RBI and 74 runs in 2013.

His .329 on-base percentage and just 25 walks in 588 at-bats might be a concern when considering Segura for the leadoff position. Though Roenicke stated that he doesn't want Segura to change his approach, he might need more discipline at the plate to set the table most effectively for his teammates.

Padres manager Bud Black said four players -- Alexi Amarista, Ryan Jackson, Alberto Gonzalez and Jace Peterson -- could all get playing time at third base this spring while Chase Headley is sidelined by a calf injury.

"We'll mix and match over at third," Black said, per MLB.com. "It's good for those guys. It will be great for those guys to get exposed to third base. They'll get some [at-bats], some playing time.

"We know what Chase can do. Here in the short term, it will be good to get those guys exposed. They are up for it."

It will be a good experience for Amarista, who is expected to serve in a utility role for San Diego.

"Alexi's game, for me, is his versatility," Black said. "You look at all the components of his game, he's capable at second, capable at short, capable at third, capable of all three outfield spots. He's a very dependable player on defense. On offense, he's done some things to win some games for us. He can move around the diamond, he doesn't scare off, he plays with energy. He's a good all-around player."

Ron Roenicke is searching for someone who can fill the top two spot in the Brewers lineup not occupied by Jean Segura, who is set to hit leadoff or second.

Roenicke spoke about the need to get runners on base in front of such RBI hitters as Ryan Braun, Aramis Ramirez, Jonathan Lucroy and Carlos Gomez.

He is apparently leaning against using Lucroy or Gomez in the second spot. Roenicke is hoping to make a decision on where Segura will bat soon.