MLB Player News

Orioles third baseman Manny Machado continued to find himself at the plate Friday as the lone bright spot in the opener of a doubleheader against Tampa Bay. He slugged a solo home run in the seventh inning and added a single.

Machado has eight hits in his last five games to elevate his average to .243.

Rockies third baseman Nolan Arenado expressed optimism about the current pace of his recovery from a broken finger that has kept him out since May 23.

That optimism stemmed from his Thursday activity, including hitting off a tee and taking fielding practice. He is closing in on a rehab assignment and might be back on the field for Colorado by the July 4 game against the visiting Dodgers.

"I'm getting really close to returning," Arenado told the Denver Post.

The Rockies can certainly use Arenado, who hit off a tee Thursday and hopes to take regular batting practice Friday. He was enjoying a breakthrough season, as his .305/.333/.489 stat line attests.

Rockies third baseman Nolan Arenado continues to make excellent progress in his recovery from a finger injury, as he was cleared to take swings for the first time Thursday.

Arenado hit off a tee for the first time Thursday, after he was first cleared to swing a bat just three days ago. According to the Denver Post, Arenado will take batting practice for the first time Friday, and hopes to be cleared for a rehab assignment in the minors within the next week. 

Twins third baseman Trevor Plouffe will join the team Thursday night and work out with the team in Texas over the weekend, MLB.com reports.

The news indicates that the Twins don't believe Plouffe needs a rehab assignment before returning from the disabled list early next week. Fellow injured infielder Eduardo Nunez is being sent on a rehab assignment Thursday, while Plouffe will fly to Texas to be with the team. He's expected to return from left rib inflammation early next week.

Rays third baseman Evan Longoria totaled his 37th RBI during Wednesday's 5-1 win against the Pirates. Longoria, who homered Tuesday, finished 1 for 4 with two runs.

Longoria is batting .268 (15 for 56) with three doubles, three home runs, 11 RBI, 10 runs and one stolen base in his last 14 games.

Orioles infielder Manny Machado had his suspension hearing Wednesday.

The meeting lasted about an hour. Machado did not receive an immediate response, and isn't sure when MLB will make a decision regarding his suspension. Machado is trying to get his five game suspension reduced. Machado is hitting .237/.287/.335 over 194 at-bats.

Nationals infielder Anthony Rendon went 3 for 7 with a solo home run and a stolen base in his team's 4-2, 16-inning win over the Brewers Tuesday.

Rendon tied the game with his eighth-inning home run, and neither team would break through with another run until Ryan Zimmerman smacked a two-run homer in the top of the 16th. Rendon has slugged six of his 12 home runs in June, and he owns a .276/.336/.479 line with 43 RBI and six stolen bases in 290 at-bats.

Orioles third baseman Manny Machado is expected to have a hearing Wednesday to appeal his five-game suspension, a source told The Baltimore Sun. Machado could know if his suspension gets reduced before Friday's doubleheader.

Rockies third baseman Nolan Arenado said Monday that he has been cleared to grip a bat, though he's still prohibited from taking any swings, MLB.com reports.

On the disabled list since late May, Arenado is recovering from a finger injury, and recent X-rays showed no structural damage to the finger. He has hit .305/.333/.489 with six home runs and 28 RBI in 190 at-bats.

Pirates third baseman Pedro Alvarez went 1 for 3 with a walk and a three-run home run in his team's 8-1 win over the Rays Monday.

Alvarez was facing a bit of a power dry spell, with his last home run coming back on June 3, before launching a ball over the center field fence Monday. He has hit .232/.318/.402 with 12 home runs and 38 RBI in 271 at-bats.