MLB Player News

Asuaje was recalled from Triple-A El Paso on Monday, Ken Rosenthal of Fox Sports reports.

Asuaje hasn't been overwhelming anyone with his hitting prowess with the Chihuahuas (.222 batting average in 39 games), but his plate discipline has been on full display, as he's posted a 24:23 K:BB. No corresponding move has been announced, but it seems like the 25-year-old will begin his time on the bench at first, Rosenthal reports. He could supplant the struggling Erick Aybar or Ryan Schimpf for playing time if he finds success in that role, but Asuaje's role should become clearer once he's able to strut his stuff against big-league pitching.

X-rays on Machado's hand came back clean Monday, Roch Kubatko of MASN Sports reports.

The X-rays were simply precautionary, as Machado was able to stay in and finish the game after being plunked on the hand by an eighth-inning offering from Joe Smith. While it appears the 24-year-old dodged an extended absence, it's unclear whether he'll be available for Monday's matchup against the Twins. Paul Janish would likely draw the start at third if Machado were to get the day off, but more should be known closer to game time.

Nationals director of player development Mark Scialabba said Sunday that he expects Kieboom (hamstring) to miss "a few weeks," Jorge Castillo of The Washington Post reports.

Kieboom has been sidelined since May 12 with this right hamstring injury. Scialabba was reluctant to offer up a recovery timetable for the 19-year-old shortstop, but it appears safe to conclude that Kieboom won't be rushed back to action, given his long-term value to the organization. The 28th overall selection in the 2016 first-year player draft, Kieboom was off to a hot start with Hagerstown, batting .333 with 16 extra-base hits in 111 at-bats.

Reynolds got the start at shortstop Sunday and went 1-for-4 with a solo home run in a loss to the Angels.

Jose Reyes (ribs) was a late scratch as a precaution, and Reynolds took advantage of the opportunity to hit his first homer of the season. However, with Reyes expected to be back in action Tuesday and Asdrubal Cabrera (thumb) possibly returning by the weekend, Reynolds may not get another chance to produce before heading back down to Triple-A.

LeMahieu went 4-for-5 with a solo home run, a double and two RBI during Sunday's win over Cincinnati.

After posting a .911 OPS last season, LeMahieu's numbers are down to start 2017. He's currently sporting a respectable .299 batting average and .371 on-base percentage, but his .397 slugging percentage is barely tilting the fantasy scales. THe fact that he smacked a pair of extra-base hits Sunday was encouraging, and with nine multi-hit games in May, everything looks to be trending in the right direction for LeMahieu.

Machado (hand) will be sent in for precautionary X-rays, MASN Sports' Roch Kubatko reports.

He was struck on the hand by a Joe Smith offering in the eighth inning of Sunday's game, and though Machado was able to stay in the game, the Orioles will send him in to ensure that there isn't any additional damage. If Machado is given the day off Monday, Paul Janish would likely take over at third base. More information on Machado's status will be made available after the results of his X-rays are released.

Valencia (wrist) is not in the lineup for Sunday's game against the White Sox.

Valencia has now missed two consecutive games after injuring his wrist on a slide during Friday's contest. He underwent an MRI on the wrist Saturday, but the Mariners have yet to reveal the results of the scans. In the meantime, the Mariners recalled Dan Vogelbach from Triple-A Tacoma to help fill in at first base while Valencia remains day-to-day.

Ramirez is not in the lineup for Sunday's game against the Astros.

Having appeared in each of the Indians' first 41 games of the season, Ramirez will get the day off Sunday to rest up. The 24-year-old is proving that his breakout 2016 campaign was no fluke, as he's currently sporting a very respectable .280/.353/.473 slash line with six homers, 24 RBI and two stolen bases. He continues to exhibit superb plate discipline, illustrated by his 24:18 K:BB ratio. Erik Gonzalez will draw the start at third base Sunday.

Peterson will start at second base and bat seventh Sunday against the Nationals.

The versatile Peterson is making his seventh straight start, this time at second base after manning first base in the preceding three contests. Despite his ability to play all over the infield and both corner outfield spots, Peterson's run of regular at-bats could soon be coming to an end with the Braves acquiring Matt Adams to fill the void at first base left by Freddie Freeman's (wrist) move to the disabled list. Peterson is just filling in for a resting Brandon Phillips on Sunday, so it looks like third base -- where the Braves have been deploying Triple-A Gwinnett call-up Rio Ruiz in recent days -- may represent Peterson's most reasonable path to playing time in future contests.

Rendon is out of the lineup Sunday against the Braves, Jorge Castillo of The Washington Post reports.

Rendon has gotten on base at a .375 clip while starting in the Nationals' last eight games, but he's been less of an asset in batting average-only leagues during that span with a 4-for-24 showing at the dish. Manager Dusty Baker will just be giving Rendon a breather Sunday, with Wilmer Difo drawing in at third base in his stead.