MLB Player News

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.

It appears likely that Brewers blossoming shortstop Jean Segura (shoulder) will be ready to play on opening day, according to the Milwaukee Journal.

Segura was not slated to play Saturday against the Braves. The Brewers open their regular season at home Monday against Atlanta.

He did some throwing Saturday and reported no pain and will throw again Sunday. Barring a setback, he will be good to go.

Segura has not played since March 18. The Brewers could backdate a 15-day disabled list stint, which would result in him missing just the first four games of the regular season. But at this point that does not seem necessary.

Brewers shortstop Jean Segura did some light throwing Friday but will not play in the team's exhibition game against the Royals, the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reports.

"Getting better," Segura said before batting practice Friday. "Feels good. Feel much better."

If Segura isn't in the lineup Saturday, it seems likely he'll have to open the season on the disabled list. An MRI on his injured shoulder came back negative, so the goal is to eliminate the soreness with which he has dealt this spring.

So far, Mike Olt's spring performance has earned him a spot on the Cubs' opening day roster. Could the starting third base job be next?

I'm betting on it. The guy was a top prospect for the Rangers a couple years ago, and given that he's already 25, the Cubs need to see what they have in him, especially with Javier Baez and Kris Bryant waiting in the wings

So what do they have in him? Well, his five home runs in 55 at-bats say a lot. Power and patience are what he brings to the table. Maybe not so much batting average, but the Cubs' claim that a vision problem contributed to his .201 mark between Double- and Triple-A last year is becoming more believable.

Ultimately, Olt's contact issues may prevent him from becoming more than a platoon player or reserve at the major-league level, which is why I'm not going crazy over his spring power display, but if nothing else, he's a legitimate NL-only sleeper now. And if he gets off to a hot start, he'll deserve a look in mixed leagues as well, especially since he'll be eligible at third base by then.

Ryan Kalish will break camp with the Cubs as a spare outfielder while Mike Olt has landed a spot at third base.

It will mark his first experience for Kalish in the National League after spending four years with Boston, though neck and back injuries cost him all of the 2013 season. He showed some promise as a rookie in 2010, but has just 96 major league at-bats (all in 2012) since.

The 25-year-old Olt earned a spot with a fine spring and could wind up with the starting job at third.