MLB Player News

Nationals third baseman Anthony Rendon continued to justify his team's faith in him Friday night against visiting San Diego. He singled and scored in the first and third innings and doubled home two in the seventh to help his team rout the Padres.

Rendon, who has earned regular playing time, finished with the first four-hit game of his career. He owns a .510 slugging percentage and is on pace to exceed 100 runs and 100 RBI on the season.

Athletics third baseman Josh Donaldson hit another home run Friday against the Astros.

Donaldson waited until the ninth inning to get things going. With one man on in the inning, Donaldson hit a 95 mph cutter from Anthony Bass out to left. It was his only hit of the game, though he walked in two other plate appearances.

Donaldson finished 1 for 4, with one run scored and two RBI. He has now hit three home runs in his last two games. 

Rays third baseman Evan Longoria clubbed his third home run Friday against the White Sox.

Longoria came up big when it counted. With the game tied in the ninth inning, Longoria stepped to the plate against Matt Lindstrom. On the second pitch, Longoria hit a two-run shot to center to take the lead. He singled earlier in the game.

Longoria finished 2 for 5, with two runs scored and two RBI. He's hitting .315.

Orioles third baseman Manny Machado was not in the field for his rehab debut at Class A Frederick Friday, but he showed that he isn't at all rusty at the plate.

With wet field conditions thanks to a rain delay, Machado was limited to designated hitting duties in his first game action since offseason knee surgery. He went 3 for 4 at the plate with two runs, a double and a triple in the game.

Machado will likely remain at Frederick through the weekend, and will likely play in the field at some point, if weather permits, before moving up a level. 

Padres infielder Jace Peterson has been called up to the majors Friday.

Peterson is expected to replace Chase Headley for a couple weeks. He announced the news on Twitter Thursday night, and the team officially made the move Friday. Peterson has hit .311 in 74 Triple-A at-bats. 

The Padres will call up infielder Jace Peterson from Double-A San Antonio on Thursday, according to his Twitter account.

Peterson will likely fill in for an injured Chase Headley, who will be placed on the 15-day disabled list with a calf strain. Peterson is hitting .311 with one home run and seven RBI in 74 at-bats.

Athletics third baseman Josh Donaldson turned in his first multi-home run game of his career on Thursday against the Astros in Houston.

Donaldson took starter Brett Oberholtzer deep for a two-run home run in the opening frame and reliever Anthony Bass in the seventh for another two-run shot. He added a double and finished 3 for 4 with two walks, three runs scored and four RBI in a 10-1 win. He is hitting .289 with six home runs and 18 RBI in 97 at-bats.

Orioles infielder Manny Machado will play bat second and play third base on his minor-league rehab assignment beginning Friday in Class A Frederick, and might only be a week away from returning to the majors. The Baltimore Sun reports Machado is expected back for the start of a series against the Twins May 2, in Minnesota, assuming he does not suffer a setback while on assignment. 

Twins third baseman Trevor Plouffe is making good on his preseason claim that he would focus on driving in more runs this season.

Plouffe has 13 RBI in 20 games, which puts him on a 105-RBI pace for the year. He has remained steady throughout and has embarked on a hot streak in which he has six hits in 17 at-bats with five runs scored over the last four games.

The 27-year-old Plouffe has also grown more patient at the plate. He is on pace to exceed 100 walks - quite remarkable considering his career high is 37.

Brewers shortstop Jean Segura's bat is showing signs of waking up, as he homered for the first time in a 5-2 in over the Padres Wednesday.

Segura took Tyson Ross deep in his first at-bat, riving in three runs with a shot to left field. He finished the game 2 for 3 with three RBI and one run scored in the win.

Segura is still hitting just .247/.273/.341 as he tries to work his way out of a season-opening slump. He has five RBI and 11 runs scored, but has been caught stealing on four of his nine stolen base attempts.