MLB Player News

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. 

The Phillies are turning away from infielder Cody Asche recently, as he was on the bench for the third straight game Wednesday against the Dodgers.

He has started just five of the team's last 11 games, after he was in the starting lineup for eight of the first 10. Manager Ryne Sandberg told MLB.com he does not have to talk with Asche about the situation, even with Freddy Galvis, his replacement, struggling mightily.

"I don't need to because I already have," he said. "I just told him to be ready to go in any capacity. The biggest change in the last three games is quality pitching and good defense behind. Freddy has been a part of that combination for the last three games."

Asche is hitting just .196/.275/.304 through 46 at-bats, with one home run, three RBI, six runs scored and 14 strikeouts. 

Cubs manager Rick Renteria said Tuesday it's time to start playing Mike Olt at third base more often, per The Chicago Sun-Times.

"We’ve talked about gradually getting him into that role," Renteria said. "Do I plan on playing him [Wednesday]? Yes.

"Everything’s very calculated. So I’m going to throw him out there and let him run with it a little bit. We’re still measuring everything; we’re still trying to be kind of guarded, but he’ll be in there (Wednesday) again."

Olt is welcoming the opportunity for more playing time at third base.

"That’d be great," Olt said of getting regular playing time. "I definitely did a lot of work to get myself ready. I definitely feel I’m ready for the task and can build off the last couple games and go from there."

Cubs third baseman Mike Olt continued his all-or-nothing season Tuesday, clubbing his fourth home run of the season in a 9-2 win over the Diamondbacks.

Olt went 1 for 4 in the game and struck out twice, giving him eight strikeouts in the last four games. Still, he clubbed a three-run shot in the fifth inning to provide what would ultimately be the winning margin in the game.

Olt is hitting just .195, but is providing the kind of power that became his calling card in the minors. Of his eight hits in 16 games, four are home runs and five are for extra bases. He has a .195/.250/.512 line in 41 at-bats. 

Orioles third baseman Manny Machado will begin a rehab assignment with high Class A Frederick Friday, MLB.com reports.

Machado played in an extended spring training game Monday as he continues to work his way back from a knee injury. He could be back on the field with the Orioles in the first few weeks of May.

Orioles third baseman Manny Machado (knee) could begin a rehab assignment by the end of the week, which could mean he makes his season debut in the first half of May, according to FOX Sports.

Orioles third baseman Manny Machado (knee) went 0 for 5 with a sac fly in an extended spring game Monday, per MASNsports.com. Machado is slated to play nine innings and serve as the DH Tuesday.

"I'm getting closer," Machado said.

Rays third baseman Evan Longoria made his presence felt at the plate on Saturday, launching his second home run of the season in his team's 16-1 win over the Yankees.

Longoria took New York starter Ivan Nova deep for a two-run home run in the third inning. He drove in a run on sacrifice fly in the fifth inning and slapped an RBI single in the sixth. He finished 2 for 3 with two runs scored and four RBI. In 18 games, he is hitting .348 with two homers and 10 RBI in 66 at-bats.