MLB Player News

Pirates third baseman Pedro Alvarez was 2 for 7 with a home run, two runs and four RBI in his team's 11-10, 13-inning loss to the Giants Monday.

Alvarez smacked a three-run home run in the second inning to give his team a 4-2 lead, which they extended to 8-2 in the fifth on a rally started by Alvarez's RBI single. However, the Giants battled back to 8-7 before tying the game up at 9-9 in the seventh inning and again at 10-10 in the ninth, then taking home a victory in extra innings. Alvarez has hit .215/.317/.430 with eight home runs and 22 RBI in 121 at-bats.

Rockies third baseman Nolan Arenado launched a two-run home run in the second inning of Monday's 8-2 win over the Rangers, extending his hitting streak to 25 games. He finished 1 for 2 with two walks, a run scored and two RBI.

Arenado has raised his slash-line from .200/.216/.400 to .313/.336/.515 during his current 25-game hit-streak. He has homered twice and plated in six runs in his last three games.

Twins shortstop Eduardo Escobar picked the right moment to hit his first home run of the season, knocking a solo home run in the top of the 10th inning Monday to lead his team to a 1-0 win over the Indians.

Escobar came into the game as a pinch hitter in the seventh inning and remained in to play shortstop. He's done a great job in limited action this season, hitting .333/.370/.500 with one home run, six RBI and one stolen base in 42 at-bats.

Twins manager Ron Gardenhire said Sunday he doesn't have a primary shortstop, as he continues to rotate between Pedro Florimon and Eduardo Escobar. Danny Santana has also joined the mix after his promotion from the minors Saturday.

"Whoever is out there that day is my shortstop," Gardenhire said, per MLB.com. "I have confidence in anybody I put out there."

Gardenhire said he wants to give Florimon as many opportunities to start because of his defense, but his poor start offensively has kept him from being the everyday shortstop.

"He's been fighting it a little bit [offensively]," Gardenhire said. "You watch him with that glove and the way he makes it easy out there, and that's why you love him so much. But Esco has been swinging good, and Santana is ready to rock and roll. I can promise you that."

Rockies third baseman Nolan Arenado went 2 for 5 with a grand slam in his team's 11-10 win over Mets Saturday.

Arenado's blast capped off an eight-inning fifth inning that brought his team back from a 6-0 deficit. He also extended his hitting streak to 23 games while continuing to serve as a force in the middle of the Rockies lineup. Arenado has hit .313/.326/.492 with five home runs and 20 RBI in 128 at-bats.

Phillies third baseman Cody Asche went 1 for 4 with a solo home run in his team's 7-2 win over the Nationals Saturday.

Asche knocked his home run in the fourth inning to give his team a 4-0 lead, and it was his first long ball since his season debut in March. He has hit .221/.293/.368 with two home runs and seven RBI in 68 at-bats.

Whether or not Ned Yost terms his third base situation a platoon, it appears Mike Moustakas has been benched against left-handers. He is out again Saturday for the Royals against Detroit southpaw Drew Smyly with Danny Valencia taking his place.

Moustakas has struggled mightily against all pitchers. But he has just one hit all year against lefties.

The Indians have promoted middle infielder Jose Ramirez from Triple-A Columbus after placing second baseman Jason Kipnis on the disabled list.

Ramirez impressed during a short stint with Cleveland in 2013. It remains to be seen how much playing time he receives with veterans Mike Aviles and Ryan Raburn also on the roster.

Cubs third baseman Mike Olt is not in the team's starting lineup Friday against the Cardinals. 

Olt is in a bit of a slump, with just four hits over his last 10 games. He'll be replaced by Luis Valbuena at third. Valbuena will hit second in the order. Olt is hitting .164 in 61 at-bats.

Orioles third baseman Manny Machado was able to get through his first game of the season without any issues, according to the Baltimore Sun. 

Though Machado went 0 for 5 at the plate, he was able to show off his glove. "Manny saved us two or three runs tonight defensively," manager Buck Showalter said. Showalter said he kept asking Machado how he felt throughout the game. By the sixth inning, he knew Machado was fine.

Machado received a standing ovation in his first at-bat since knee surgery. As a rookie, he hit .283 in 667 at-bats.