MLB Player News

Although the Rockies are hoping for a bounce-back season from Josh Rutledge, the team is heading into spring training with DJ LeMahieu atop the depth chart at second base, according to MLB.com.

"DJ has put himself in a good position," Colorado manager Walt Weiss said. "DJ played well enough to earn the right to come into camp No. 1 on the depth chart.

"The sign of a great defender is he is able to make the majority of the plays look routine. That's DJ's strength. He goes unnoticed, but he makes a lot of plays -- difficult plays to his left and right -- and makes them look routine."

Orioles manager Buck Showalter said Thursday that still expects third baseman Manny Machado to be ready on opening day, MASN Sports reports.

Machado had reconstructive surgery on his left knee in October, a procedure that has an estimated recovery time of six months. He 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.

The Royals traded outfielder David Lough to the Orioles for third baseman Danny Valencia on Wednesday, according to MASN.com.

Lough hit .286 with five home runs and 33 RBI in 96 games last season. In 52 games, Valencia batted .304 with eight home runs and 23 RBI for the Orioles.

MASN.com reports that the Orioles are looking to third baseman Manny Machado to be ready in time for opening day.

Machado, who underwent knee surgery in October, will begin doing some light running this week. He will also attend the Orioles' minicamp in January, at which time the team can evaluate his progress further.

MLB.com reports that Indians infielder Jose Ramirez injured his left thumb while playing in the Dominican Winter League, and he will probably need to have surgery. Ramirez is expected to be ready for the beginning of Cactus League play in late February.

Though he spent most of the 2013 season with Double-A Akron, Ramirez appeared in 15 games with the Indians, and he went 4 for 12 (.333) at the plate.

Nationals general manager Mike Rizzo told MLB.com that he would not guarantee what role Anthony Rendon would play on the team in 2014. When asked if Rendon would return to the role of starting second baseman, Rizzo replied, "I don't know where he is going to play or what he is going to do."

As a rookie in 2013, Rendon hit .265 with seven home runs and 35 RBI in 98 games.

According to FOXSports.com, the Orioles' plan to eventually move third baseman Manny Machado back to his oriiginal position of shortstop. Machado played all but two of his minor league games at shortstop, but the Orioles have used him exclusively as a third baseman over his 207 major league games.

Once Machado is ready to return from his recovery from knee surgery, which should be early next season, he will return to third base. However, incumbent shortstop J.J. Hardy is entering the final season of a three-year deal, so a potential post-2014 departure could open the door for Machado to change positions.

While a return to shortstop could be in Machado's future, FOXSports.com reports that Orioles manager Buck Showalter and at least some members of the team's front office view Hardy as an integral part of the team's future.

Cardinals second baseman Matt Carpenter, Nationals shortstop Ian Desmond and Pirates third baseman Pedro Alvarez have joined Diamondbacks first baseman Paul Goldschmidt as Silver Slugger award winners among National League infielders.

Carpenter's first Silver Slugger award comes after leading the majors in runs (126), hits (199) and doubles (55) while hitting .318/.392/.481 with 11 home runs and 78 RBI in 626 at-bats. Desmond's second straight Silver Slugger award comes after hitting .280/.331/.453 with 20 home runs, 80 RBI and 21 stolen bases in 600 at-bats. Alvarez's first career Silver Slugger award comes after hitting .233/.296/.473 with 36 home runs and 100 RBI in 558 at-bats.

The Baltimore Orioles have reinstated third baseman Manny Machado and outfielder Nolan Reimold from the 60-day disabled list, MASNSports.com reports. The moves happened over the weekend and both players have been returned to the 40-man roster.

Machado hit .283 this season, his first full year in the big leagues. He led the league with 51 doubles and also won a Gold Glove at third base. Machado may not be ready for opening day in 2014 after undergoing an operation on his knee on Oct. 14.

Reimold hit .195 with three doubles, five home runs and 12 RBI over 40 games for Baltimore this past season. He then spent almost two months on the shelf due to a torn hamstring and neck surgery. The Orioles still must decide whether or not they want to tender Reimold a contract for next season.

Orioles third baseman Manny Machado, who just picked up his first American League Gold Glove award Tuesday, spoke about his knee surgery rehabilitation during a teleconference, The Baltimore Sun reports.

"It's been going great," Machado said. "I’m starting to [rehabilitate]. It’s my second week into it. I’m feeling good. The knee looks great. The rehab is going pretty well. Hopefully, I just have got to continue working hard, and hopefully I’ll be ready for spring."

The Orioles will refuse to rush Machado back but there is an outside chance he will be ready to go by opening day.