MLB Player News

Rays third baseman Evan Longoria is back in the field for the second consecutive day. 

Manager Joe Maddon said Longoria would resume his duties at third, and the fact he'll start a day game directly following a night game should signal that he's feeling pretty good. Longoria is hitting .284/.363/.512 in 334 at-bats.

The Nationals are getting quality production out of Anthony Rendon and Wilson Ramos at the bottom of the lineup, and they feel it has given them an added advantage, according to MASNsports.com.

"There's no question about it," Nationals manager Davey Johnson said. "And that creates a lot of opportunities for the guys in the front of the lineup. They've been swinging the heck out of it and (if) we keep them healthy, we'll be fine."

The duo combined to go 4 for 8 (.500) with two home runs, two RBI and one double during Wednesday's 5-1 win at Philadelphia. Rendon is batting .317 with a .460 slugging percentage in 19 games batting seventh, while Ramos -- who hits eighth -- is batting .450 (9 for 20) with two doubles, two home runs and 10 RBI in six games (five starts) since coming off the disabled list.

"There's really no break one-through-eight," third baseman Ryan Zimmerman said. "It's hard for the opposing pitcher to get through that lineup, and just when you think you have a break, you have guys in the seven-, eight-spot who can hurt you, too."

Pirates third baseman Pedro Alvarez made an impact without going deep Wednesday, as he extended his hitting streak to eight games in a 5-0 win over the Athletics.

Alvarez went 2 for 4 with two RBI in the game, both of which came on singles early in the game. He is now hitting .253 on the season, up from just .239 at the start of his eight-game hitting streak. He is hitting .363 during this streak, with three home runs and seven RBI.  

Nationals infielder Anthony Rendon homered for the third time in eight games Wednesday against the Phillies, as he continues to get more comfortable at the major-league level.

Rendon went 2 for 4 in the game with a double and a home run, his second game with multiple extra-base hits. He drove in one run with his solo homer, while scoring twice in a 5-1 win.

Rendon is now back over .300 on the season, at .303 to be exact. He has four home runs and 13 RBI in 152 at-bats, while posting an .814 OPS. 

Orioles third baseman Manny Machado has enjoyed hitting against Texas this series. He's recorded seven hits over the first three games of the four-game set. 

Machado went 3 for 5 with an RBI triple Wednesday and scored a run in the win. He's gone 7 for 14 (.500) in the series with two runs scored, a homer, a triple and three RBI. He's batting .318 with seven homers, 39 doubles and 45 RBI. 

Rays manager Joe Maddon said Wednesday that he doesn't believe third baseman Evan Longoria's hitting struggles have anything to do with his foot injury, the Tampa Bay Times reports. Maddon thinks it is more about Longoria expanding the strike zone.

Batting .285 on the season with 17 home runs and 50 RBI, Longoria has gone just 12 for 64 (.188) over his last 20 games with eight RBI and 19 strikeouts. 

Orioles third baseman Manny Machado homered in a loss to the Rangers Tuesday. Machado had a solo shot off starter Martin Perez in the third inning for his seventh home run. 

Machado finished 1 for 4 and is batting .315. He has hits in eight of his last 10 games, including two homers, two doubles and three RBI. He's among the top 10 in the American League in doubles, batting average and runs scored. 

Rays third baseman Evan Longoria has made progress with his injured foot and should be able to play the field regularly, according to the Tampa Bay Times. 

Manager Joe Maddon said Longoria's foot has improved and he'll likely play third the rest of the week. The team had occasionally been using him as a designated hitter when his foot acted up. Longoria is hitting .288/.365/.521 in 326 at-bats. 

Orioles third baseman Manny Machado recorded yet another three-hit game Monday during an 8-5 loss at home against the Rangers. Machado leads the majors in three-hit games.

He went 3 for 5 with his 43rd RBI of the season and is now batting .315. The 21-year-old has hits in eight of his last 10 games and has dropped his average slightly over that span. Machado was named an American League All-Star reserve.

Brewers shortstop Jean Segura went 3 for 3 with one run, one RBI and his 27th stolen base in his team's 4-3 win over the Reds Monday. While he's slowed down since a fantastic start, Segura has a .323/.358/.491 line with 11 home runs and 36 RBI in 350 at-bats.