MLB Player News

Escobar appears to have avoided an injury after being struck by a foul ball, Mike Berardino of the Pioneer Press reports.

Escobar was removed from the game after taking a ball of his right forearm, but it sounds as though it was just as a precautionary measure. The 27-year-old figures to be the everyday option at shortstop going forward.

Escobar left Tuesday's game after being struck by a hard hit foul ball, Rhett Bollinger of MLB.com reports.

Escobar was hit on his right forearm causing the Twins to pull him from the game, but early reports are that he is fine and it is nothing serious. It is still worth monitoring his situation over the next couple days just to be safe.

Alvarez agreed on a one-year, $5.75 million deal with the Orioles on Monday that includes $1.5 million in playing incentives, Dennis Lin of the San Diego Union-Tribune reports.

Alvarez figures to be Baltimore's designated hitter while also spending time at first when Chris Davis is given a game off. This dynamic likely will limit Mark Trumbo's usage in 2016, as Alvarez will be the clear favorite to be a daily starter with the Orioles after spending his first six seasons in Pittsburgh.

Olt cleared waivers and was outrighted to Triple-A Charlotte on Monday, Paul Sullivan of the Chicago Tribune reports.

Olt was designated for assignment Sunday to make room for the recently-acquired Austin Jackson, so this move just finishes the process as he accepts the move to Triple-A rather than becoming a free agent. Now that he's in the minors, he'll slot in as the third baseman for the Triple-A club, acting as organizational depth at the hot corner.

Rivera is 4-for-9 with three extra-base hits through the Brewers' first four spring games.

Rivera has gotten off to an excellent start to spring training between his two home runs and positional versatility around the infield. He's competing for a spot on the Brewers bench as a utility infielder, and he'll have a good chance of garnering that spot if he can keep this torrid pace going throughout spring training.

Asuaje was reassigned to the Padres' minor league camp Monday, Bill Center of Padres.com reports.

Asuaje was acquired from Boston as part of the Craig Kimbrel trade and hit .251/.334/.374 with eight home runs and 61 RBI in Double-A last season. He will likely spend 2016 in the minor leagues.

The White Sox designated Olt for assignment Sunday to clear room on the 40-man roster for the newly-signed Austin Jackson, WGN TV reports.

The White Sox's third base depth improved significantly in the offseason with the signing of Todd Frazier, so Olt was a longshot to make the 25-man roster. Olt has slugged a not-so-hot .330 in his 400 career major league plate appearances and the power numbers he flashed in 2012 have become a distant memory.

Segura connected for a solo home run on Friday and is 5-for-6 this spring, the Arizona Republic reports.

Segura batted leadoff again and said he feels "comfortable" in that spot. Obviously its early, but Segura could be valuable if he returns to form in Arizona's potent lineup. Segura batted just .257 and .246 the last two years, with 11 combined home runs and 44 total stolen bases. But he batted .294 with 12 home runs and 44 steals in 2013, a year he made the All-Star Game.

Asche (oblique) said he hopes to be playing in games by the middle of next week, CSN Philadelphia reports.

Asche did also say a return next week is not a certainty. He's been sidelined with an oblique strain since the start of camp. If this injury lingers into the season it could create an opportunity for Darnell Sweeney or David Lough to open the season on the Phillies' active roster.

Asche (oblique) participated in running drills and took dry swings with a bat Thursday, the PhillyVoice reports.

Manager Pete Mackanin said Asche is "coming along slowly" in his recovery from an oblique strain. He has yet to play in a spring training game because of the injury.