MLB Player News

The Athletics have given slumping third baseman Josh Donaldson the night off for their Wednesday night game against the host Angels.

Donaldson, who told the media before the game that he wouldn't mind the break, is hitless in his last 21 at-bats to drop his average from .284 to .260.

Phillies manager Ryne Sandberg said Wednesday third baseman Cody Asche (hamstring) will begin a rehab assignment with Class A Lakewood Friday. Asche is expected to need 6-7 games before coming off the 15-day disabled list.

After missing three games with a thumb injury, Nationals infielder Anthony Rendon is back in the lineup as expected Tuesday against the Giants.

Rendon suffered an injury to his thumb while playing the field Friday, but has progressed enough that he will take his usual place at third base and batting second for Tuesday's game.  

Phillies third baseman Cody Asche is participating in simulated games at the team's spring training complex in Florida, according to manager Ryne Sandberg. Asche will probably begin a rehab assignment Friday.

Orioles third baseman Manny Machado, who's batting second in Tuesday's lineup, said he'll appeal his five-game suspension. The appeal could be heard Thursday, June 19, when the Orioles have an off day.

Orioles third baseman Manny Machado plans to appeal his five-game suspension, reports MLB.com. Machado was suspended and fined for his unsportsmanlike actions over the weekend against the Athletics.

Orioles third baseman Manny Machado will be suspended five games and fined for his actions over the weekend against the Athletics, reports MLB.com. Machado was ejected Sunday after appearing to intentionally throw his bat toward Athletics third baseman Josh Donaldson.

While the Orioles await the decision from Major League Baseball about a potential suspension for third baseman Manny Machado for his actions over the weekend against the A's, the team is wrestling with their own decision on whether or not to demote the struggling third baseman.

Machado, who missed the first month of the season recovering from knee surgery, is batting just .229 in 35 games since his activation. He's also committed seven errors and has a .938 fielding percentage.

"That’s always an option," executive vice president of baseball operations Dan Duquette told FOX Sports Tuesday. "The guy distinguished himself in the big leagues last year. We’d much rather see him develop his skills here. But that’s always an option."

Cubs manager Rick Renteria said Monday the team has no plans to demote struggling third baseman Mike Olt to the minors.

"If that’s ever to be a situation that we would consider that would be something we would be talking about [internally]," Renteria said, per ESPN. "Right now he’s here with us. He’s going to continue to develop his skills here."

However, Renteria said Olt won't play every day while he struggles offensively.

"We’re going to pick the matchups that put him in a position to have success," Renteria said. "We want him to know he shouldn’t be too concerned about anything. Things happen. You have hiccups. I know there was a time when he was doing very, very well and everybody wanted him in there every single day so we started putting him in there. You give him rope and allow them to go out there and perform and feel the landscape. Now we’re going to pull back a little bit."

Nationals infielder Anthony Rendon is out of the lineup for the third straight game Monday, but he is available as a pinch hitter and will likely return to the lineup Tuesday, the Washington Post reports.

"He’s good," manager Matt Williams said Monday. "He’s a little bit sore still. He hit today. He’s a lot better today than he was yesterday. I think one more day, he’ll be ready to go tomorrow. Still a little sore, though."

Rendon has been battling a thumb injury suffered on a defensive play Friday, but it sounds like his return is imminent. He has hit .272/.328/.470 with nine home runs and 34 RBI in 232 at-bats.