MLB Player News

Orioles infielder Danny Valencia hit his fifth home run in Sunday's loss to Seattle.

Valencia was just called up prior to Sunday's game and inserted to the lineup as the designated hitter. He has needed just 25 games and 74 at-bats to mash five home runs (and six doubles as well) but is hitting just .216/.256/.500.

The Orioles have called up infielder Danny Valencia from Triple-A Norfolk, MASN reports Sunday. Valencia, a .298/.339/.560 hitter for Norfolk in 55 games, will be Sunday's designated hitter.

Orioles third baseman Manny Machado went 2 for 4 while hitting his 10th home run and 40th double in his team's 8-4 loss to the Mariners Saturday.

Machado's doubles pace has slowed down since an incredible start to the season, but he remains on pace to post the highest American League doubles total since 1936. Machado has hit .297/.327/.458 with 10 home runs, 52 RBI and six stolen bases in 472 at-bats.

Phillies infielder Cody Asche was in the starting lineup Wednesday at third base, but the Phillies are expected to move him around the field to keep him in the lineup. According to MLB.com, manager Charlie Manuel said the team is considering putting him in right field at times to test his versatility.

"I don't know if we will, but we will talk about it," Manuel said.

Asche has only played third and second base in his professional career, but the team's organizational depth at third base could force him to move if he wants to stick in the majors. General manager Ruben Amaro thinks Asche is up to the task, even if they aren't going to force the issue right now.

"We haven't really talked about it extensively," Amaro said. "He's athletic enough to do that, but he's our third baseman today and that's where we'll keep him for now."

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.