MLB Player News

Pirates third baseman Pedro Alvarez hit his sixth home run of the season Thurday against the Brewers.

Alvarez managed to find himself on base four times during the game. He singled in the bottom of the fourth, and walked in both the sixth and seventh inning. In the bottom of the eighth, he clubbed a three-run home run off a 93 mph fastball from Wei-Chung Wang.

Alvarez finished the game 2 for 3, with one run scored and three RBI.

Orioles third baseman Manny Machado is scheduled to start sliding on Friday, the first time since having knee surgery, MASN Sports reports. He will then begin playing approximately 3-5 extended spring training games before starting a minor-league rehab assignment.

Machado already has 17 at-bats in simulated games during his recovery and is expected to need the full 20 days on his minor-league rehab assignment, according to the report.

Twins infielder Trevor Plouffe drove in two runs Thursday against the Blue Jays.

Plouffe finished with just one hit, but made it count. He hit a run-scoring single in the bottom of the fifth. In the bottom of the sixth, he managed to drive in another run on a sacrifice fly. Plouffe finished the game 1 for 4, with one run scored and two RBI. He struck out in two of his other three at-bats.

Orioles third baseman Manny Machado could be nearing rehab games, according to the Baltimore Sun.

Machado was able to run the bases without any issues Wednesday. It's one of the final steps before he's able to play in a game. As long as Machado is able to get through the next couple days without any setbacks, he could be in line for an extended spring training game next week. Once he joins a minor-league affiliate, Machado would have 20 days before the team has to activate him.

Matt Williams certainly can't regret using Anthony Rendon as a full-time starter this season. Rendon has justified that decision - at least so far.

Rendon has hit safely in 13 of 15 games for the Nationals and owns an encouraging stat line of .339/.381/.593. He is the surprising team leader with 12 RBI and is tied for the top with five doubles. His .974 OPS is the best among all starters not named Ryan Zimmerman.

He has also shown a decent eye at the plate and an ability to make consistent contact with 10 strikeouts in 59 at-bats.

Phillies rookie third baseman Cody Asche is sitting again Thursday against a left-hander as he continues to struggle to start the season.

Asche is not in the lineup against Braves southpaw Alex Wood. He is hitless in 11 at-bats against lefties this season, but that is not the extent of his problems. Asche owns a stat line of .184/.279/.316 after a brilliant spring and has not had a hit in 15 at-bats since April 9.

Orioles third baseman Manny Machado didn't encounter any issues while running the bases Wednesday, the Baltimore Sun reports.

It was his first opportunity to run the bases, and he passed the test. He should continue to run the bases through the rest of the week. Machado is slowly working his way back from knee surgery.

Orioles third baseman Manny Machado (knee) took infield and batting practice, while also hitting five times during a simulated game Tuesday. He did three sprints each from distances of 90 and 180 feet, and he will run the bases Wednesday.

Orioles third baseman Manny Machado was able to run sprints Monday, according to MLB.com.

Machado ran six sprints at 90 feet. He'll work his way up to 180 feet in the coming days, and will likely play two or three extended spring games before he's ready to return. Machado is recovering after knee surgery.

Orioles third baseman Manny Machado got six at-bats in a simulated game Sunday and has been cleared to run sprints Monday, masnsports.com reports.

Machado's simulated game went well, and he'll hope to continue to progress in his return from knee surgery.