MLB Player News

Phillies manager Ryne Sandberg indicated that third baseman Cody Asche is the "leading candidate" to start at third base in 2014, the Philadelphia Inquirer reports.

"He's proven defensively he can play third base," Sandberg said. "And I think his bat has played. He's shown a good steady bat. I think down the stretch it's turned into a little bit of a long season for him possibly. I understand that. But the work ethic and the quality swing for a young guy like that is pretty good."

Asche has hit .248/.319/.416 with five home runs and 22 RBI in 149 at-bats. He has served as the team's starting third baseman in 32 of the team's 45 games since his promotion in late July.

Brewers shortstop Jean Segura remains out of the lineup with a hamstring injury, the club announced Wednesday. Segura has missed six consecutive games with the injury and at this point is at risk of missing the rest of the year.

Brewers shortstop Jean Segura has not returned to the team's starting lineup Tuesday against the Braves.

Segura has now missed five games with a hamstring injury. He's been out since September 18. He's hitting .296/.331/.426 in 584 at-bats. 

For the fourth consecutive game, Jean Segura was left out of the Brewers' starting lineup, as Jeff Bianchi was listed as the starting shortstop against the Cardinals on Sunday.

As Brewers manager Ron Roenicke told reporters Thursday that he is taking a conservative approach to Segura's return from a hamstring injury, that leaves open the possibility that he may not come back to the lineup before the end of the season.

Brewers shortstop Jean Segura could not start Saturday against the Cardinals. He is day to day with a hamstring injury. Segura is batting .296 on the year for the Brewers over 584 at-bats.

Rockies third baseman Nolan Arenado returned from a thumb injury Friday, going 1 for 3 with a walk and a run scored in his team's 9-4 win over the Diamondbacks.

Arenado hasn't been able to produce much power in recent weeks, hitting just one homer since the beginning of August. He owns a .268/.302/.407 line with 10 home runs and 50 RBI in 462 at-bats.

Rockies third baseman Nolan Arenado is in the team's starting lineup for Friday's game against the Diamondbacks. He hasn't played since Monday while dealing with a thumb injury.

Arenado has hit .268/.300/.407 with 10 home runs and 50 RBI in 459 at-bats.

Brewers shortstop Jean Segura is not in the team's starting lineup Friday against the Cardinals. 

Segura is dealing with a hamstring injury and is considered day-to-day. He's hitting .296/.331/.426 in 584 at-bats.

Brewers shortstop Jean Segura could miss more time due to a hamstring injury, according to the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel.

Segura is considered day-to-day, but manager Ron Roenicke said the team is going to be smart about bringing him back. "We're not going to be dumb about this," Roenicke said. "I'd like him to get back out there but not at the risk of putting him back out there too early."

Segura is hitting .296/.331/.426 in 584 at-bats. 

Pirates third baseman Pedro Alvarez hit his 34th home run Thursday against the Padres.

Alvarez took Ian Kennedy deep in the fourth inning for a solo shot. He finished the game 1 for 3, with two runs scored and two RBI. He walked in his two other plate appearances.