MLB Player News

Orioles third baseman Manny Machado is making little progress from a knee injury that has prevented him from participating in spring training. He has not run for five days, per MASNsports.com. The issue is scar tissue that flared up and motivated the Orioles to shut him down.

Machado, who exploded onto the scene last season as a sure fielder and doubles machine, seems certain now to begin the season on the disabled list. Buck Showalter had said last week that Machado was ahead of schedule in his recovery, but the latest news serves as a setback.

Brewers general manager Doug Melvin plans to meet with principal owner Mark Attanasio this weekend to discuss offering an extension to shortstop Jean Segura, the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reports.

Segura isn't eligible for arbitration until after the 2015 season and isn't eligible for free agency until after the 2018 season, so there's no imminent need to sign Segura to a longterm deal. However, both sides have reasons to negotiate for a multiyear extension, as it would give the organization future payroll clarity with one of its best young players while providing Segura with financial security.

Cubs infielder Mike Olt delivered his best performance of the spring Wednesday, going 3 for 4 with two home runs and three RBI in his team's game against the Mariners.

Olt has dealt with a sore shoulder this spring, but if he can get some time at third base soon without suffering a setback, that and a strong offensive performance could instill him as the starter at the hot corner once the season begins. He's 7 for 21 with three home runs and six RBI in seven games while serving as a designated hitter.

Rockies third baseman Nolan Arenado believes he's found the right approach at the plate after working hard in the offseason to correct what plagued him in 2013, per MLB.com. The results have been visible early in spring training, as Arenado is batting .455 (10 for 22) with a .773 slugging percentage through nine games.

"I worked in the offseason, tried to stay on my back leg more and recognize pitches -- that's the way you're supposed to hit," he said. "Last year, I hit that way for a bit, but I also created a bad habit that got me out in front. I'm trying to get away from that. Right now it feels good.

"'Last year, I knew I was in front. That's what got me in trouble. But it was hard to break the habit. Knowing now that I need to finish on my back leg, it's easier to feel if I popped the ball up, 'Oh, I dipped.' As long as I'm turning my hips and staying back, I believe I'll be able to figure out things a little bit quicker."

Teammate Troy Tulowitzki has high hopes for Arenado.

"I think he's going to be a big RBI guy, and he was in the minor leagues," Tulowitzki said. "If you look at his strikeout totals, they're not high. Anytime you have a young kid who's not striking out -- or anyone, they don't have to be a young kid -- they're going to be a high RBI guy."

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.