MLB Player News

Rockies third baseman Nolan Arenado continued his strong spring performance Tuesday by going 3 for 3 with a triple, his first home run, two runs and two RBI in his team's 13-0 win over the Cubs.

Arenado also drew a walk in the standout performance, and he's now 10 for 22 this spring with four extra-base hits, all coming in his last two games. He owns a .455/.500/.773 line through nine games played.

Cubs third baseman Mike Olt has been limited to games at first base and DH this spring because of a sore throwing shoulder, per ESPN.

"It's been a good thing for me to get familiar at first base," Olt said. "I won't lose anything at third base. I want to be a versatile player.

"I've thrown there (third base) the last couple of days. My velocity is right where it needs to be ... I've had (shoulder tenderness) almost every year. You get here, you get excited and you throw a little too much."

Orioles third baseman Manny Machado (knee) expects to start sliding next week before his next doctor's appointment, per MLB.com. Machado said his biggest tests will be sliding and base running.

Athletics third baseman Josh Donaldson has been renewed at the major league minimum of $500,000, per CBSSports.com Baseball Insider Jon Heyman.

Donaldson could be in line for quite a payday if he continues to rake like he did in 2013, when he led Oakland starters with a .301 batting average, 93 RBI and .499 slugging percentage while slugging 26 home runs.

Orioles third baseman Manny Machado is on schedule in his rehab from left knee surgery. An update was provided Friday by Buck Showalter.

"Everything that he's supposed to be doing at this point he's doing," he told the Baltimore Sun. "He's not ahead of schedule, he's not behind schedule. ... What that is, whether it's the day after opening day, whether it's a month after opening day, we just don't want any setbacks and we have not had any setbacks yet."

Machado emerged as a force in 2013. He played exceptional defense while batting .283 with 14 home runs, 71 RBI and an AL-best 51 doubles.

Orioles third baseman Manny Machado was able to work on side to side movements for the first time Wednesday, MLB.com reports.

Machado is scheduled for a progress report with the doctor on March 18 as he tries to make it back before the beginning of the season. He's a candidate to open the season on the disabled list.

Phillies third baseman Cody Asche will return Thursday, according to the Philadelphia Inquirer. 

Asche left a spring game after being hit on the hand Sunday. He was able to participate in batting practice Tuesday, and will play Thursday. Asche has missed three days due to the injury. He's expected to compete for the starting job at third.

Cubs third baseman Mike Olt hit his first home run of the spring Tuesday against the Athletics, after entering the game as a pinch-hitter. He drove in two in his lone at-bat, as he took Athletics' pitcher Michael Ynoa deep in the 8th inning in the 6-4 win.

Olt has appeared in just two of the Cubs' first five spring games, with one hit in three at-bats. He has dealt with a sore shoulder that has limited him in the field, though the injury is not considered serious.

Phillies third baseman Cody Asche took part in batting practice Tuesday, CSNPhilly.com reports.

Asche was struck on the hand by a pitch Sunday and lef the park with bruises and swelling but has recovered quickly and could even be back in the lineup Wednesday. He is competing with prospect Maikel Franco to open the season as the team's regular third baseman.

Phillies third baseman Cody Asche's preliminary ultrasound came back negative, according to CSN.

Asche left Sunday's game after being hit on the hand with a pitch. The team is calling the injury a hand bruise for now. It's unclear if more tests will be run. Asche hit .235 in 162 at-bats last year. He's competing for the starting job at first this spring.