MLB Player News

Indians infielder Jose Ramirez, who injured his left thumb playing in the Dominican Winter League, said he is about a week away from starting to swing a bat, according to The Plain Dealer.

Orioles third baseman Manny Machado will have another follow-up exam on his surgically repaired left knee this weekend, according to MLB.com. If he passes, then he will be cleared to start baseball activities.

Twins third baseman Trevor Plouffe said he's not worried about the competition he will face this spring from prospect Miguel Sano.

"I'm not really concerned with that," Plouffe said, per MLB.com. "I want to help the team win. That's all I really care about. Miguel is a great player, and if he comes up and helps our team, we want him. We want anyone who can help the team."

Plouffe said he spent the first two months of the offseason rehabbing a left wrist injury that sapped his power last season. However, he refused to use the injury as an excuse for his struggles last year.

His focus has been to add to his RBI total and improve on hitting with runners in scoring position after batting .208 in those situations last year.

"That's my role in the lineup, to be a run producer," Plouffe said. "I haven't been able to do that. Runners in scoring position is something we need to work on. I talked to Bruno (hitting coach Tom Brunansky), and that's something that we're going to keep working on. I think that's the most important thing to me: being able to score runs and drive in runs."

Orioles third baseman Manny Machado will be with the team when position players report to spring training in February, but he still doesn't have a return date coming off left knee surgery, according to MLB.com.

"When I'm 110 percent -- I don't know whether it's in two months or next week -- it's something I'll just have to get a feel for. And once I'm out there playing every day, I'll have more of an idea when and where I can start," he said.

Machado said he feels he's ahead of schedule from October knee surgery to repair a torn medial patellofemoral ligament. He was given a six-month recovery timetable.

"The doctor said everything's going well and according to plan, so at this point it's just seeing how healthy I am and how fast I can get out there," Machado said.

The Padres announced Thursday 18 players received non-roster invites to spring training. Among the 18 players invited to spring training are catcher Austin Hedges and starting pitcher Matt Wisler, who are considered the team's top two prospects by Baseball America.

Other top prospects receiving invites were shortstop Jace Peterson (No. 7) and starting pitcher Joe Ross (No. 10). 2011 first-round pick Cory Spangenberg was also on the list.

The remaining players coming to camp as non-roster invites are Blaine Boyer, Leonel Campos, Anthony Carter, Dennis O'Grady, Adys Portillo, Kevin Quackenbush, Cody Decker, Alex Dickerson, Rico Noel, Daniel Robertson, Jonathan Galvez, Alberto Gonzalez and Xavier Nady.

The Cubs are eager to see how third baseman Mike Olt will perform this spring now that it appears his vision problems have been corrected, according to MLB.com.

Olt, who hit a disappointing .201 in 107 games last season in the minors, is taking allergy medication, which has helped improve his vision.

"I think we'll see pretty early in camp just how the things he's done in the offseason have had an effect," said Cubs senior vice president of player development Jason McLeod, who added Olt is an "athletic, strong guy who can play third base."

Pirates third baseman Pedro Alvarez has avoided arbitration with the club.

Alvarez will earn $4.25 million next season. He's coming off a year in which he hit .233/.296/.473 in 558 at-bats.

The Twins have avoided arbitration with third baseman Trevor Plouffe, according to the New York Post. 

Plouffe is set to make $2.35 million next season. He's coming off a season in which he hit .254/.309/.392 in 477 at-bats.

Orioles third baseman Manny Machado is approximately 6-8 weeks ahead of his recovery timetable, a source told the Baltimore Sun. Machado, who underwent left knee surgery in October, had a follow-up exam on Thursday and is expected to be cleared for baseball activities soon.

Manager Buck Showalter also recently said that he is expecting Machado to be ready by opening day. Machado owned a .283/.314/.432 slash line with 14 home runs, 71 RBI and six stolen bases in 667 at-bats for the Orioles in 2013.

Orioles third baseman Manny Machado, who underwent left knee surgery in October, will not attend the team's minicamp this week, according to MASNsports.com. He will instead undergo a follow-up exam in Los Angeles Thursday and could be cleared to start baseball activities.