MLB Player News

Phillies third baseman Cody Asche was chasing down fly balls in left field during batting practice prior to Tuesday's game against the Cardinals.

“I wanted him to do it,” manager Ryne Sandberg told CSNPhilly.com. “It could be helpful down the road adding versatility.”

Asche was introduced to playing in the outfield in February before he stopped workouts to focus on getting ready to be the team's starting third baseman. However, now that his workouts in the outfield has resumed, it could be to clear a path for Philadelphia to promote third-base prospect Maikel Franco, who is off to a good start with Triple-A Lehigh Valley (.333/.371/.512/.883).

“We’re covering all bases, preparing for situations that could arise,” he said.

Nationals third baseman Anthony Rendon reported some tightness in his side -- not related to his injured knee -- on Tuesday, manager Matt Williams told reporters, per MASN Sports. Rendon was held out of the starting lineup for Double-A Harrisburg and will receive treatment for the day in hopes of resuming his rehab assignment on Wednesday.

Twins second baseman Brian Dozier is out of the lineup Tuesday against the Tigers, according to MLB.com. Dozier will get his first day off of the year after starting the first 19 games in a row. Dozier is hitting .205 with a home run and six RBI in 73 at-bats.

Eduardo Escobar will draw the start at second base and bat sixth. He is hitting .146 in 41 at-bats this season. The Twins are currently the underdogs (+125) against Detroit.

Pirates first baseman Pedro Alvarez is not listed in the starting lineup for Tuesday's game. It's just the second time this year that Alvarez has missed a start at first. 

Corey Hart replaces Alvarez at first. It's his second start there this season and second in the last seven games. He'll bat cleanup. 

The Pirates are +107 money line underdogs at the Cubs. 

Nationals infielder Anthony Rendon is not in the starting lineup for Double-A Harrisburg Tuesday, the Washington Post reports.

Rendon is working his way back from a knee injury, but he was scratched Monday after feeling fatigued. He is expected to be used at both second base and third base when he returns to the lineup.

Blue Jays infielder Ryan Goins will start at shortstop Tuesday for the injured Jose Reyes, the team announced. Goins fills in for Reyes, who was placed on the 15-day DL Monday with a rib injury. Goins is hitting .238 in 21 at-bats this season.

Outfielder Dalton Pompey is out of the lineup, with Danny Valencia taking over in left field and Kevin Pillar playing center. 

Pompey told Sportsnet.ca he suffered a bit of whiplash making a catch Monday at Boston.

Despite struggling to open the season, the Indians want to be patient with shortstop Jose Ramirez, reports MLB.com.

"I would encourage [fans] to take a look at Jose Ramirez's body of work," Indians general manager Chris Antonetti said, per MLB.com. "Not only what he did last year at the Major League level, but the way he played and performed throughout our development system, because he's a guy that's produced at each level and played very well at each stop he's been at -- including the Major Leagues."

Ramirez is hitting .196 with one home run in 51 at-bats this season and the team has prospect Francisco Lindor waiting in the minor leagues.

"Admittedly, he's had a rough start to the season -- offensively, especially -- but he's the same guy that came up last year, struggled initially and then figured things out the second time and performed pretty well and was a big part of our team's success in the second half," Antonetti said. 

Nationals manager Matt Williams said infielder Anthony Rendon will be used at second and third base when he returns to the lineup, reports CSNWashington.com.

Rendon is dealing with a knee injury, but he has begun his rehab assignment at Double-A. He was scheduled to play seven innings during a rehab game Monday, but he was a late scratch due to feeling fatigued, the team announced. 

"It's important for him just to make sure that he feels good," Williams said, per MLB.com. "That he feels able to play every day."

Phillies third baseman Cody Asche and catcher Carlos Ruiz are back in the starting lineup Monday against the Cardinals, the team announced.

Asche was given the day off Sunday after starting the last nine games in a row for Philadelphia. He is hitting .305 with two home runs and three RBI in 59 at-bats this season.

Ruiz got Sunday off after starting the last two games in a row, pushing Cameron Rupp to the bench. Ruiz is hitting .196 in 46 at-bats. The Phillies are currently the underdogs (+135) against St. Louis.

Nationals manager Matt Williams will have a decision to make when his regular third baseman Anthony Rendon comes back from injury. With Rendon on the shelf, Yunel Escobar has shifted to third and Williams is considering leaving him there even after Rendon returns, according to CBSSports.com Baseball Insider Jon Heyman.

The team is unsure yet what will happen when Rendon returns, but one theory has Escobar staying at third and Rendon shifting to second base, according to Heyman.

Escobar is hitting .292 with five RBI in 65 at-bats while slotted at third base.