MLB Player News

Orioles infielder Manny Machado was able to take ground balls Tuesday, according to the Baltimore Sun.

Machado will begin the year on the disabled list, but the team has been quiet about a possible return date. As long as Machado continues to get through workouts with no issues, he could return shortly after the start of the year. Machado hit .283/.314/.432 in 667 at-bats last year.

Nationals infielder Anthony Rendon has returned to the team's lineup Tuesday, according to The Washington Post.

Rendon has been dealing with a bad chest cold, and hasn't been able to play since Thursday. He'll play second and hit in the second spot in the order. Though the club has yet to name a starter at second space, Rendon is expected to win the role. 

After getting Sunday off to recover from being hit on the hand by a pitch Saturday, Rockies third baseman Nolan Arenado returned to action Monday, going 2 for 3 with one home run and two RBI in his team's 8-2 win over the Royals.

Arenado has put together an excellent spring, hitting .364/.417/.705 with three home runs and seven RBI in 44 at-bats. The hand shouldn't be a concern moving forward.

Nationals manager Matt Williams said second baseman Anthony Rendon (chest cold) could be back in the spring lineup Tuesday, according to CSN Washington.

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.