MLB Player News

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.

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.