MLB Player News

Orioles third baseman Manny Machado (knee) won't be ready for the start of the season and the team hasn't given a firm timetable for his return to the lineup. However, executive vice president Dan Duquette gave a little insight Monday into the benchmark for when the Orioles feel Machado might be ready to return.

"He probably needs at least 50 at-bats to be prepared to compete in the major leagues," Duquette said, per CSN Baltimore.

Royals infielder Danny Valencia was a non-factor on Sunday against the Giants.

Valencia came in for Mike Moustakas as a pinch-hitter in the seventh inning and finished 0 for 2. He has just two hits in his first seven at-bats since suffering a left hand injury on Thursday. He is hitting .231/.348/.333 with one home run and three RBI in 39 at-bats this spring.

Cubs infielder Mike Olt made his third appearance of the spring at third base on Sunday against the A's.

Olt was limited to DH duties earlier this spring because of soreness in his throwing shoulder. He unleashed a solo home run in the eighth inning for his only hit of the afternoon. He finished 1 for 4 with a run scored and an RBI in a 10-6 win. He is hitting .273 with five homers and 10 RBI in 42 at-bats.

Orioles manager Buck Showalter said Sunday third baseman Manny Machado (knee) will not be ready for opening day and will be placed on the 15-day disabled list. Showalter said the importance of his message to Machado was as much being ready mentally as physically.

Nationals second baseman Anthony Rendon missed a third straight day Sunday because of a severe chest cold. However, manager Matt Williams said Rendon will return well in advance of opening day.

Williams said Rendon is taking antibiotics and was able to go through a light workout Sunday, taking swings in the batting cage, playing catch and jogging.

"He’s getting better," Williams said, per CSN Washington. "We’ll monitor him every day, but today is better. The doctor said he’s crackling in [his chest], which is a concern. He’ll be good. It’s just going to take some time."

Rockies third baseman Nolan Arenado said Sunday he is fine after getting hit by a pitch on his left hand Saturday, per The Denver Post. Arenado, who might hit Sunday, said getting hit on the hand was "scary."

Arenado is having a productive spring offensively, batting .341 (14 for 41) with a .400 on-base percentage, .634 slugging percentage and 1.034 OPS in 16 spring games. He also has one triple, two home runs, four doubles and five RBI.

Orioles manager Buck Showalter said third baseman Manny Machado (knee) ran Saturday and will do so again Sunday, per The Baltimore Sun. Showalter added Machado's status for the start of the season should be decided soon.

Phillies third baseman Cody Asche will be the team's starting third baseman, beating out prospect Maikel Franco for the spot, MLB.com.

Even with Franco sent down to the minors, Asche isn't ready to take anything for granted. Asche is hitting .175 with two doubles, three homers and six RBI in 16 Grapefruit League games.

"Until my name is on the lineup card Day 1, it's anybody's job still. I can't take anything for granted, whoever is down or whoever is here."

Orioles infielder Manny Machado could test his knee and calf on Sunday, manager Buck Showalter told MLB.com on Saturday.

"He was telling me the two days off really did the calf well," Showalter said. "I would bet he'd probably test that [Sunday]."

Machado had all physical restrictions lifted as part of his return from knee surgery earlier in the week. Once he's ready for game action, he'll play in minor-league games for the rest of the spring.

Rockies third baseman Nolan Arenado underwent X-rays on his injured left hand, which came back negative, the team announced. He is listed as day to day.

Arenado was removed from Saturday's Cactus League game against the Indians after being hit on the left hand by a pitch. He was later diagnosed with a bone contusion in his left hand.

Arenado owns a .308/.357/.564 slash line with two homers and five RBI in 39 at-bats this spring.