MLB Player News

Nationals infielder Anthony Rendon will miss another day with an ACL sprain. He hasn't appeared since being scratched from the lineup on Tuesday with swelling and pain in his left knee. 

Manager Matt Williams said that Rendon's condition was unchanged on Saturday morning. While he won't return to the lineup yet, Williams said the injury wasn't a major concern, promising, "He'll be fine." 

Nationals manager Matt Williams said Friday third baseman Anthony Rendon will need a few more days to rest his left knee. Williams said Rendon has a mild MCL sprain.

“It’s mild,” Williams said, per The Washington Times. “It wasn’t getting better as quickly as we thought it would and he wanted it to be. We got an (X-ray) of it yesterday. So, it’s a mild sprain. We’ll shut him down for a few days. Make sure that it’s good.

“It’s odd that he did it on the dive, but it is what it is and we’ll make sure we take care of it. In the next week or so, he’ll be back playing. It’s just an odd injury.”

Rendon is batting .222 (2 for 9) with one strikeout through three spring games.

Pirates first baseman Pedro Alvarez returned to the spring lineup Thursday against the Red Sox after missing a few days due to a hyperextended elbow. He was hitless in two at-bats.

Phillies third baseman Cody Asche returned to the spring lineup Thursday against the Tigers after leaving Monday's game due to injury. Asche suffered a bruised right triceps Monday against the Orioles after he was hit by a pitch in the top of the sixth inning.

Asche is batting .273 (3 for 11) with two doubles, two RBI, one run, one walk and three strikeouts in five games.

Braves infielder Jace Peterson has likely earned a 25-man roster spot and may serve as the team's starting second baseman until Jose Peraza is deemed ready for the majors, MLB.com reports.

"I'm just competing," Peterson said Wednesday. "Of course [being on the major league] roster is the goal for everyone here in camp. Thinking about all that kind of stuff, people tend to put a little extra pressure on themselves. Me, whenever I'm called on, I'm going to play. Hopefully, on opening day, that's where I'm at. That's the goal."

While not ready to name Peterson his starter at second base, manager Fredi Gonzalez has been impressed with the former Padre's versatility and athleticism.

"He's an athlete," Gonzalez said. "He gives you the ability to play in the middle of the diamond."

Peterson went 6 for 53 with the Padres in his first major-league season last year but also hit .307/.402/.447 with three home runs, 46 RBI and 16 stolen bases in 322 at-bats between Double-A and Triple-A.

Pirates manager Clint Hurdle said first baseman Pedro Alvarez (elbow) is expected to return to game action Thursday against the Red Sox, per the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.

"Pedro was given a very aggressive workout today and the reports came back that he's fine and ready to go," Hurdle said.

Nationals manager Matt Williams announced Wednesday third baseman Anthony Rendon was scratched from the lineup against the Tigers due to swelling in his left knee.

Williams said Rendon banged his knee while making a diving play Monday. However, the injury is not considered serious and the Nationals are expecting Rendon to be OK in a few days.

The 24-year-old Rendon was a breakout star in 2014. The 2011 first-round pick hit .287 with 21 home runs, 39 doubles, 83 RBI and 111 runs in 153 games.

The Twins expected Danny Santana to be their starting shortstop, but Eduardo Escobar is making it a difficult choice for the team. 

Escobar was the starter last season, finishing with the second-highest doubles total among MLB shortstops. This spring, he's picked up where he left off last year. 

Escobar is 4-for-9 in the first three spring games, with a home run and a double. 

"He knows the situation, and it hasn't affected him in the least," Twins manager Paul Molitor told Rhett Bollinger of MLB.com. "He's had some good at-bats here early in camp. He's a little man who can drive the ball a little bit."

Phillies third baseman Cody Asche was removed from Monday's spring game against the Orioles in the top of the sixth inning after getting hit by a pitch on his right elbow. Asche was 0 for 2 with one strikeout before leaving the game.

Asche was diagnosed with a bruised right triceps.

Pirates first baseman Pedro Alvarez suffered a hyperextended elbow and will miss a few games while recovering, the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.

Alvarez indicated that the elbow is fine and the Pirates said he can work out as tolerable. The former third baseman is spending his first spring training at first base and said last week he feels comfortable with the shift.

Alvarez hit .231/.312/.405 with 18 home runs, 56 RBI and eight stolen bases in 398 at-bats.