MLB Player News

So now that we've waited all this time for him, what exactly is the value of Manny Machado?

It's a tricky question to answer because the gap between what he could be and what he has been is so wide. With that in mind, if you like what he has been, which was good enough to make him the 10th-best third baseman in Head-to-Head leagues and the ninth-best in Rotisserie last season, great. He shouldn't have much trouble repeating those numbers, at least on a per-game basis. But if you set your sights at the position a little higher than that, well, he may be just the ticket there, too.

Keep in mind he was one of the most hyped hitting prospects of the last few years, getting compared to Alex Rodriguez when the Orioles selected him third overall in the 2010 draft. His ability was so evident that the Orioles kept moving up the ladder despite lackluster numbers, and only last year did the numbers begin to catch up. Judging by the progress from his first season to his second, the 21-year-old could have big things in store in the next year or two.

Coming off major knee surgery and an extended rehabilitation, you'll want to keep your expectations in check this year, but if Fantasy owners rate Machado about on the level of Kyle Seager, who was getting drafted before him because of the injury, and that's the downside for him, he might be worth buying even now that the wait is over.

As expected, Brewers shortstop Jean Segura is back in the lineup for the Thursday night game against the host Reds. He has not started since teammate Ryan Braun nailed him in the face with the bat on a practice swing Saturday.

Segura, who has pinch-hit twice since then, is batting .244, which is 50 points under the average he compiled in 2013.

Rockies third baseman Nolan Arenado extended his major-league leading hitting streak to 20 games with a single in the sixth inning Wednesday against the Diamondbacks. Arenado has failed to record a hit in just five of 29 games this season.

During his hitting streak, Arenado is batting .358 (29 for 81) with a .506 slugging percentage and .875 OPS. He has two home runs, six doubles, nine RBI, 11 runs, two walks, seven strikeouts and one stolen base in that span.

The Orioles have activated third baseman Manny Machado from the disabled list, but he is not in the lineup for the opener of the Thursday doubleheader against Pittsburgh. He said he expects to be in the lineup for the nightcap.

Machado has been sidelined with a knee injury since late last season. He thrived in a minor league rehab stint for Class A Advanced Frederick, going 8 for 12 with four doubles and a triple.

Twins infielder Eduardo Escobar delivered his best offensive performance of the season Wednesday, going 4 for 4 with a double and two RBI in his team's 6-4 loss to the Dodgers.

Escobar kicked off the scoring Wednesday with an RBI double in the second inning before the Dodgers answered with six runs to go into the ninth with a 6-1 lead. Escobar drove in another run in the final frame and scored on a two-run double, but the Twins rally fell short as Dodgers closer Kenley Jansen slammed the door. Escobar has hit .345/.355/.414 with five RBI in 29 at-bats.

Nationals infielder Anthony Rendon delivered a huge line Wednesday, going 4 for 5 with two doubles, one home run, two runs scored and three RBI in his team's 7-0 win over the Astros.

Rendon knocked in two runs with a fourth-inning double then clubbed a solo home run in the sixth inning as part of his second four-hit game in the span of a week. He has hit .316/.352/.544 with four home runs and 20 RBI in 114 at-bats.

Twins third baseman Trevor Plouffe is back in the starting lineup for Wednesday's game against the Dodgers.

Plouffe was expected to make his return Tuesday, but that game between the Dodgers and Twins was postponed due to inclement weather. He's batting third for Wednesday's game, which he enters with a .310/.419/.483 line in 87 at-bats.

With the postponement of Wednesday's game against the Pirates, Orioles third baseman Manny Machado will have his season debut delayed another day.

Machado was scheduled to make his first appearance of the season Tuesday before that game was postponed. With his debut pushed back a day, Wednesday's scheduled game was also postponed, putting him on track to make his debut during the team's Thursday doubleheader. He has been sidelined while recovering from a knee injury.

Brewers manager Ron Roenicke said shortstop Jean Segura (eye) should be back in the starting lineup Thursday at Cincinnati. Aramis Ramirez (elbow) said he expects to return to the lineup Thursday as well, per MLB.com.

Although he was able to pinch hit Tuesday, Brewers shortstop Jean Segura did not return to the starting lineup Wednesday at St. Louis, missing a fourth straight start. Jeff Bianchi was in the lineup at shortstop again for Milwaukee.