MLB Player News

Despite the continued success of Josh Harrison, Pirates general manager Neal Huntington said Sunday the team is not considering moving Pedro Alvarez to first base to clear up regular at-bats for Harrison at third base. Huntington added he likes the duo of Ike Davis and Gaby Sanchez at first base.

"Ike, the power hasn't been maybe what it was in the past, but he gives us quality, professional at-bats and has played solid defense for us there," Huntington said. "If we can get Pedro back on track to 30-something home runs, being a productive major league hitter and playing adequate defense at third, that's a pretty good tandem to have on the corners."

Huntington said Harrison will continue to fill a utility role for Pittsburgh.

"To play a 162-game season this year, in this environment, it's about depth," Huntington said.

"We're working through all different scenarios, but right now what we feel very comfortable with is Josh bouncing around giving everybody rest."

Major League Baseball announced Monday it has upheld the five-game suspension for Orioles third baseman Manny Machado, who will begin serving his suspension Monday against the Rangers. He will be eligible to return Saturday at Boston.

Orioles third baseman Manny Machado went 1 for 4 with a two-run home run in his team's 12-7 loss to the Rays Sunday.

Machado has endured a disappointing offensive season but has heated up over the past week, smacking home runs in three of his last four games. He'll look to build upon his increased power stroke in the second half to improve upon a .239/.291/.371 line with seven home runs and 17 RBI in 213 at-bats.

Pirates third baseman Pedro Alvarez went 2 for 4 with a double, a home run and three RBI in his team's 5-2 win over the Mets Sunday.

Alvarez drove in a run with his double in the first inning to put his team up 3-0 then added two more on his fourth-inning home run. The Mets were only able to respond with two ninth-inning runs. The third baseman has hit .241/.330/.416 with 13 home runs and 42 RBI in 286 at-bats.

Rockies manager Walt Weiss was pleased with the report he received about third baseman Nolan Arenado (finger), who went 2 for 4 with one double and two RBI in his first rehab game with Triple-A Colorado Springs Saturday.

"Got a good report on Nolan. Heard he looked real good," Weiss said, per MLB.com. "You never know how guys are going to show up after missing that much time, but he jumped right in and performed well last night."

Arenado appears on track to rejoin the team Thursday against the Dodgers, but Weiss said he could return earlier than that, if he keeps performing like he did Saturday.

"That one's probably over my head with the medical staff," Weiss said. "But if he gets two hits and two RBI every night on the rehab assignment, I'll push for it."

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Find out why in the latest Start and Sit Hitters.

Orioles manager Buck Showalter said Sunday his educated guess is that the team will hear about a ruling on Manny Machado's suspension in the next day or two. Machado is appealing a five-game suspension for his actions in early June against the A's.

Brewers shortstop Jean Segura was not in the starting lineup Sunday against the Rockies after leaving Saturday's game due to leg cramps. Jeff Bianchi, who was recalled from the minors Sunday, started in Segura's absence.

Segura is batting .196 with two triples, two home runs, seven RBI, 13 runs and four stolen bases in 27 June games.

The Rockies got some rare run production from infielder DJ LeMahieu Saturday, in a 7-4 loss to the Brewers.

LeMahieu drove in two runs in the game, his first multi-RBI game since April 9. He went 2 for 4 with two RBI and one run scored in the loss.

LeMahieu is hitting .269/.333/.335 in 77 games for the Rockies on the season.  

Rockies third baseman Nolan Arenado played well in his Triple-A rehab debut Saturday, as he takes the final steps in his recovery from a broken finger.

Arenado played third base and batted second for the Colorado Sky Sox, going 2 for 4 with a double, one run scored and two driven in before he was lifted late.

Arenado will likely be with Colorado Springs through the weekend, before the team considered bringing him back from the disabled list.