MLB Player News

It appears unlikely that Orioles third baseman Manny Machado will be available to start the regular season, per USA Today.

Machado is scheduled for a doctor visit on March 15 to determine his progress in his recovery from offseason knee surgery. He hopes to be ready to play by mid-April, which would cost him the first two weeks. That could result in Ryan Flaherty opening the season at third.

Nationals infielder Anthony Rendon has been playing third during camp, according to The Washington Post. 

Rendon has also been playing second base, but is taking ground balls at third. There's a chance the team will occasionally use Ryan Zimmerman at first, which would allow Rendon to see more time at his natural position. If Zimmerman gets hurt, the team would be covered with Rendon at third and Danny Espinosa at second.

Rendon hit .265/.329/.396 in 351 at-bats during his rookie season.

Cubs third baseman Mike Olt worked out at first base Wednesday during the team's first day of workouts, MLB.com reports.

Olt, who is hoping to compete for the starting third base job during spring training, could wind up serving as a backup at first base, where the team doesn't anyone behind Anthony Rizzo, if he isn't named a starter. Olt made eight appearances at first base in 16 games played in 2012, his last season of major-league action.

Ryne Sandberg is throwing third base up for competition between Phillies prospects Cody Asche and Maikel Franco, the Philadelphia Daily News has reported.

Asche is the only one with major league experience. He batted .233 with five home runs and 22 RBI in 162 at-bats at the end of last season. He remains the favorite to land the starting job.

The 21-year-old Franco has not played above Double-A, but he was highly productive at Reading in 2013, batting .339 with 15 home runs and 51 RBI in just 277 at-bats. He blasted 36 home runs in Class A and AA combined.

Rockies second baseman DJ LeMahieu is a candidate to hit leadoff this season, according to the Denver Post.

LeMahieu is expected to compete for the second base job, but is currently the leading candidate at the position. With Dexter Fowler traded during the offseason, the club is looking for a new leadoff man.

While Walt Weiss knows LeMahieu may not be the ideal candidate now, he knows there's still room for some growth in LeMahieu's game. "His on-base percentage may not be prototypical of a leadoff guy," Weiss said. "But I think that's going to develop because he has such great instincts for the game."

LeMahieu hit .280/.311/.361 in 404 at-bats last year.

Brewers general manager Doug Melvin told the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel that no discussion has started about a possible contract extension for shortstop Jean Segura, who isn't arbitration eligible until after the 2015 season and isn't a free agent until after the 2018 season.

It was reported by MLBDailyDish.com over the weekend the Brewers were expected to have talks this spring with Segura about a long-term deal.

The Indians updated the statuses of two injured players Monday. They said first baseman/outfielder Bryan LaHair (wrist) is only hitting off a tee, and infielder Jose Ramirez (thumb) is out 7-10 days.

Orioles third baseman Manny Machado can't run the bases or slide yet, according to MASN.

Machado has been cleared for everything else, so this isn't necessarily a set back. He's hoping to be fully cleared for games by mid-March. In the meantime, the team will also attempt to limit his side-to-side movement at third. Machado is recovering from offseason knee surgery.

Machado hit .283/.314/.432 in 667 at-bats last year.

The Brewers are expected to have talks this spring with shortstop Jean Segura about a long-term contract extension, a source told MLBDailyDish.com. Segura isn't arbitration eligible until after the 2015 season and isn't a free agent until after the 2018 season.

Nationals manager Matt Williams reiterated Sunday there is an "open competition" at second base between Anthony Rendon and Danny Espinosa. Williams added there is "no favorite at this point."

Williams added Espinosa will also see time at shortstop this spring, while Rendon will get some playing time at third base.