MLB Player News

Colorado top prospect Nolan Arenado was very hot early in the spring but had since scuffled pretty badly, reports MLB.com. On Tuesday, he warmed up again. The Rockies' top position prospect at third base, Arenado had four early spring home runs only to struggle thereafter. He went 3 for 4 on Tuesday and is now batting .314 on the spring. 

With incumbent third baseman Chris Nelson struggling this spring with a .238 average, the 22-year-old Arenado is trying to win a starting job.

"Nolan needs to keep a good pace, slow the game down," Rockies manager Walt Weiss said. "He's done a nice job this spring. It's good to see him get a few more hits."

Pirates third baseman Pedro Alvarez will likely start the season in the four-hole, MLB.com reports. Alvarez is batting .161 with three RBI in 31 at-bats this spring. Manager Clint Hurdle expects him to pick it up once the season starts.

"We'll be best served when he puts his foot down and takes ownership of that spot," Hurdle said. "You'd like to find a guy you can put in there and leave alone, and Pedro is definitely one we're considering."

Alvarez played just 19 games last season, hitting .170 with two homers and three RBI. 

The Nationals made their second round of cuts Thursday, starting with optioning outfielder Eury Perez to Triple-A Syracuse. They also sent Nathan Karns, Sandy Leon and Anthony Rendon to Double-A Harrisburg, while reassigningPatrick McCoy, Will Rhymes and Matt Skole to minor-league camp.

The Nationals reassigned infield prospect Anthony Rendon to minor-league camp Thursday. Rendon hit .375 (12 for 32) with four doubles, four homers, seven runs and 11 RBI in 13 spring games. Rendon is considered a top-100 prospect by MLB.com (28th) and Baseball America (30th).