MLB Player News

The Padres have promoted infielder Jace Peterson to replace on the roster Yonder Alonso, who has been placed on the disabled list.

The 24-year-old Peterson has just five hits in 50 at-bats in previous stints with San Diego this season.

The Brewers are throwing a skeleton lineup at the host Cubs on Thursday afternoon. Standouts Ryan Braun, Aramis Ramirez and Jean Segura are all out of the lineup.

Braun has been slumping with just five hits in his last 34 at-bats and no home runs since July 24. Segura has also struggled recently to the tune of a 3-for-18 slide and no extra-base hits since Aug. 2. Ramirez is batting .200 in his last five games.

Rockies second baseman DJ LeMahieu went 2 for 4 with a solo home run in his team's 5-3 loss to the Padres Wednesday.

LeMahieu was 0 for 10 in his last three games before breaking through Wednesday. His last extra-base hit came back on July 25, while his last home run was all the way back on July 1. LeMahieu has hit .264/.318/.339 with four home runs, 30 RBI and eight stolen bases in 375 at-bats.

The Orioles announced Wednesday third baseman Manny Machado was placed on the 15-day disabled list due to a right knee sprain. The move is retroactive to Aug. 12.

Nationals second baseman Anthony Rendon hit his 16th home run Tuesday against the Mets.

Rendon struck in the sixth inning. He worked a six-pitch at-bat, homering on a 79 mph slider. It was his only hit of the game. Rendon finished 1 for 5, with one run scored and one RBI. 

Athletics third baseman Josh Donaldson went 3 for 4 with two home runs and four RBI in his team's 11-3 win over the Royals Tuesday.

Donaldson has racked up at least one hit in nine straight games but hadn't homered since the calendar turned to August before doing so twice Tuesday. He managed to deliver an RBI single in the third inning and a second RBI on a sacrifice fly in the fifth before smashing solo home runs in the seventh and eighth innings. Donaldson owns a .255/.341/.475 line with 25 home runs, 84 RBI and seven stolen bases in 451 at-bats.

Orioles third baseman Manny Machado has been diagnosed with a ligament sprain in his injured right knee, masnsports.com reports.

Machado suffered the injury Monday while slipping while attempting to come out of the batter's box. An MRI was scheduled, and while a ligament sprain is the diagnosis, the team is scheduled to have a further update on his condition tomorrow. Machado has hit .278/.324/.431 with 12 home runs and 32 RBI in 327 at-bats.

So you're at the point, with the season winding down, where you have to win at all costs. Seems straightforward enough. The only problem is your bench is overflowing with players you can't actually use -- ones that are injured but too valuable to drop, like Brett Lawrie, Brandon Phillips, Adam Eaton, Michael Wacha, Paul Goldschmidt, Yadier Molina, Ryan Zimmerman, Joey Votto, Carlos Gonzalez or Masahiro Tanaka.

Or maybe your albatross isn't injured but just doesn't inspire much confidence right now, like Pedro Alvarez, Justin Verlander or Mike Minor.

I've got news for you: This late in the year, when winning is paramount, you can consider dropping them. Granted, it shouldn't be the goal because the competition can only benefit from whatever you forfeit, but sometimes, it's your only choice.

I break it down player-by-player in my latest post to the Fantasy Baseball Today blog, so if you could a little assistance with that season-shifting dilemma, be sure to check out.

The Orioles are awaiting the arrival of team physician Dr. Michael Jacobs to the ballpark to read the results of Manny Machado's MRI, manager Buck Showalter told MASNSports.com Tuesday.

"I haven't heard anything negative," said manager Buck Showalter. "Manny seems to be in good spirits. That's good. So, we'll see what the day brings.

Machado had his MRI postponed early in the morning due to equipment malfunctions, but the results are expected to be announced this evening. Machado sprained his right knee Monday, but has yet to miss time since Tuesday's game was rained out. 

Orioles third baseman Manny Machado is scheduled for an MRI on his injured right knee Tuesday, though MASNSports.com reports the test has been delayed for a few hours. The results of the MRI are expected early Tuesday afternoon, prior to the team's scheduled game against the Yankees.