MLB Player News

Nationals infielder Anthony Rendon will start at third base Wednesday against the Tigers.

With the team playing an AL opponent, Ryan Zimmerman will serve as the designated hitter. Steve Lombardozzi will fill in at Rendon's usual slot at second. Rendon is hitting .256/.307/.384 in 203 at-bats. He'll take on Justin Verlander.

The Phillies promoted third baseman Cody Asche to the big leagues Tuesday, presumably to take over for Michael Young, who some have speculated will go to the bench even if he's not traded. Anytime a new starter emerges, Fantasy owners should take notice, particular when it's a prospect. In Asche's case, though, I use the term pretty loosely.

His numbers at Triple-A Lehigh Valley -- specifically, the .295 batting average and 15 home runs -- are decent enough. But his .837 OPS is nothing special at that level, and his 95 strikeouts to 35 walks are downright discouraging. If he had a Christian Yelich-like pedigree, I could overlook the numbers. Talent is talent, and as Wil Myers is showing, it counts for more than Triple-A numbers. But unless you count the Phillies-specific ones, Asche wasn't appearing on any top prospect lists that spring.

Granted, I'm probably being a little overly critical of him just because, with any midseason call-up, the hype has the potential to get out of control. I've actually had Asche stashed in an NL-only league in anticipation of this move, so I think he can be useful. But nothing more than that. Personally, I'm expecting Trevor Plouffe-like production from him as a rookie.

Orioles third baseman Manny Machado was struck by a line drive off the bat of Adam Jones during batting practice Tuesday before a game against Houston at Camden Yards, The Baltimore Sun reports. 

Machado was hit in the left forearm just below the elbow and met with team trainers. Manager Buck Showater said later that Machado would remain in the lineup for the game. He did mention Machado could take a precautionary X-ray, just in case. 

Batting .297 for the season, Machado has gone just 3 for 28 (.107) over his last seven games and is slumping for the Orioles. 

Phillies manager Charlie Manuel said third baseman Cody Asche, who was promoted to the majors Tuesday, will be in the lineup Wednesday against the Giants. Michael Young, who is being mentioned heavily in trade rumors, was in the starting lineup Tuesday leading up to Wednesday's non-waiver trade deadline.

The Phillies promoted third baseman Cody Asche from Triple-A Lehigh Valley Tuesday. Outfielder Steve Susdorf was designated for assignment to clear a roster spot.

Asche hit .295 with a .485 slugging percentage, .837 OPS, four triples, 15 home runs, 24 doubles and 68 RBI in 104 games for Lehigh Valley.

Confirming an earlier report from Yahoo! Sports, the Phillies are planning to promote third base prospect Cody Asche from Triple-A Lehigh Valley, according to MLB.com. Asche's promotion is a strong indication the Phillies could be ready to trade third baseman Michael Young.

The Phillies plan to promote third baseman Cody Asche, signaling Michael Young is expected to be traded Tuesday, according to Yahoo! Sports. Asche is considered the Phillies' seventh-best prospect by MLB.com.

Asche homered twice Monday for Triple-A Lehigh Valley, which was his second two-homer game in his last seven appearances. He's batting .381 (16 for 42) with five home runs and 12 RBI in his last 10 games. After hitting .264 in April and .267 in May, Asche hit .318 in June and is batting .330 in July.

Phillies third base prospect Cody Asche hit a pair of home runs off Red Sox prospect Rubby De La Rosa during a 9-1 win for Triple-A Lehigh Valley over Pawtucket Monday.

"I was facing a good pitcher in De La Rosa," Asche said, per MLB.com. "You have to work hard to get a pitch to hit, and he has a lot of plus pitches he can come with in different ways. I was able to see some pitches in each at-bat, got a feel for what he had on the night and was able to capitalize on a couple mistakes."

Asche had a pair of home runs in a game for the second time in his last seven appearances. He's batting .381 (16 for 42) with five home runs and 12 RBI in his last 10 games. After hitting .264 in April and .267 in May, Asche hit .318 in June and is batting .330 in July.

"In baseball, you tend to get a good feeling in the box, and you're able to consistently put good swings on the ball," he said. "You do that, and the numbers will come. I'm just feeling a little more comfortable in the box, seeing pitches well. You take some tough ones and swing at the good ones."

Rockies third baseman Nolan Arenado homered for the first time in 30 games Monday against the Braves. He finished 2 for 4 with one double and one RBI.

Arenado is beginning to pick up the offensive pace. He has hit safely in eight of nine games and has multi-hit games in four of his last five contests. Arenado is batting .353 (12 for 34) with a .471 slugging percentage, one double, one home run and five RBI in his last nine games.

Pirates third baseman Pedro Alvarez hit his 27th home run Monday during a 9-2 win over the Cardinals. Alvarez went deep in the first inning for a three-run blast with no outs against Jake Westbrook.

Alvarez finished 1 for 4 with the three RBI. He added a walk and is batting .244 for the year.

Alvarez has recorded at least one base hit in eight straight games and has three homers and six RBI over that stretch. He's up to 68 runs driven in on the year.