MLB Player News

Phillies third baseman Cody Asche will return Thursday, according to the Philadelphia Inquirer. 

Asche left a spring game after being hit on the hand Sunday. He was able to participate in batting practice Tuesday, and will play Thursday. Asche has missed three days due to the injury. He's expected to compete for the starting job at third.

Cubs third baseman Mike Olt hit his first home run of the spring Tuesday against the Athletics, after entering the game as a pinch-hitter. He drove in two in his lone at-bat, as he took Athletics' pitcher Michael Ynoa deep in the 8th inning in the 6-4 win.

Olt has appeared in just two of the Cubs' first five spring games, with one hit in three at-bats. He has dealt with a sore shoulder that has limited him in the field, though the injury is not considered serious.

Phillies third baseman Cody Asche took part in batting practice Tuesday, CSNPhilly.com reports.

Asche was struck on the hand by a pitch Sunday and lef the park with bruises and swelling but has recovered quickly and could even be back in the lineup Wednesday. He is competing with prospect Maikel Franco to open the season as the team's regular third baseman.

Phillies third baseman Cody Asche's preliminary ultrasound came back negative, according to CSN.

Asche left Sunday's game after being hit on the hand with a pitch. The team is calling the injury a hand bruise for now. It's unclear if more tests will be run. Asche hit .235 in 162 at-bats last year. He's competing for the starting job at first this spring.

Phillies third baseman Cody Asche had to leave Sunday's game after being hit in the hand by a pitch, according to CSN.

Asche is expected to compete for the starting third base job this season. Trainers came out and looked at him before he decided to leave the game. Asche hit .235/.302/.389 in 162 at-bats last season.

Indians infielder Jose Ramirez tweaked his ankle while running on a treadmill, according to the Plain Dealer.

Ramirez will play in a B Game Tuesday. He's also attempting to come back from offseason thumb surgery. Ramirez received 12 at-bats in the majors last year.

Cubs third baseman Mike Olt has been dealing with a sore right shoulder, CSNChicago.com reports. He served as the designated hitter in Wednesday's intrasquad game and Thursday's Cactus League opener.

"He’s doing well," manager Rick Renteria said Friday. "He’s throwing fine, and he’s been working at all the positions to get himself ready. We’re going to try to get him some at-bats and keep him active."

Olt has put his concussion and vision problems behind him, and if he can do the same with the shoulder issue, he could challenge for a starting role at third base, where the Cubs likely have Luis Valbuena penciled in as the starter.

Pirates third baseman Pedro Alvarez led the charge offensively in Friday's 4-2 loss to the Blue Jays, going 2 for 3 with two doubles and two runs before being replaced defensively.

Alvarez has been one of the more prolific power hitters at his position over the last two seasons, with 66 home runs to his credit, and he just missed his first home run of the spring when he picked up his first double with a shot off the center field wall. He's looking to improve on last season's .233/.296/.473 line.

Athletics third baseman Josh Donaldson will likely be the team's two-hitter this season, according to Inside the A's. 

Donaldson said he feels comfortable at any spot in the lineup, and gained some experience hitting in that spot last year. "[Manager Bob Melvin] put me there last year some toward the end of the season and it seemed to work." Donaldson said that even though he'll likely begin the season hitting second, things can change. "[Melvin] put me there last year some toward the end of the season and it seemed to work."

Donaldson hit .301/.384/.499 in 579 at-bats last year.

The only hesitation Ron Roenicke has about batting shortstop Jean Segura leadoff this season is the possibility of him changing his approach at the plate.

"I don't want him to change because I put him in the leadoff spot," he told MLB.com.

Segura thrived batting mostly second last season with the Brewers. He is still being considered for that spot after batting .294 with 12 home runs, 49 RBI and 74 runs in 2013.

His .329 on-base percentage and just 25 walks in 588 at-bats might be a concern when considering Segura for the leadoff position. Though Roenicke stated that he doesn't want Segura to change his approach, he might need more discipline at the plate to set the table most effectively for his teammates.