MLB Player News

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.

Orioles third baseman Manny Machado is off Sunday, according to MLB.com.

Machado's day off was scheduled as part of his rehab. He will return to the field Monday and play seven innings. He's working his way back from a knee injury.

Orioles third baseman Manny Machado was able to get through an extended spring game Saturday, according to MASN.

Machado had four at-bats during the contest. He hit a double and a single, but also struck out once. His other at-bat ended in a fielder's choice. Machado played five innings. He plans to play Sunday as well. Machado is working his way back from knee surgery.

Orioles third baseman Manny Machado could begin a minor league rehab assignment next week, according to MLB.com.

Buck Showalter said, however, that it will likely not begin until some point after the team begins a series in Toronto next Tuesday.

Machado has been sidelined since sustaining a serious knee injury at the end of last season.

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.