MLB Player News

Twins general manager Terry Ryan said Sunday injured third baseman Trevor Plouffe (calf) will make his spring debut Tuesday against the Blue Jays. "We're just going to make sure," Ryan said, per the Pioneer Press. "Don't be alarmed by it. We do that a lot. It's just the right thing to do to make sure he's ready to go. Give him one more day is all."

MLB.com reports Twins third baseman Trevor Plouffe, who has been limited by a sore calf, has increased his workload to running and performing infield drills. Manager Ron Gardenhire said he expects Plouffe to be playing in spring games by next week. "Plouffe is moving around pretty decent," Gardenhire said. "He's not at full speed yet, but he's moving along. He's feeling better and better each day. Hitting in groups and all those things. He did fielding today, which is a good thing. He's getting better. Not ready to play in game yet, but not too far away either."

Pirates third baseman Pedro Alvarez declined to play winter ball last offseason but still showed up to camp in good shape. It appears he worked even harder this year, however, as MLB.com reports the 26-year-old has showed up in great shape after training at IMG Academy once again. "Pedro continues to have a better understanding of things he needs to do in the offseason to get himself in a good place for spring training, where he isn't trying to play catch up," manager Clint Hurdle said Tuesday. "He worked extremely hard at IMG for an extended period of time, and was able to come into this camp in a very good place."

Orioles third baseman Manny Machado was back in camp Tuesday after missing Monday's workout because he needed an additional procedure as part of his physical, reports MASNsports.com. Machado said he is full-go after he sat out Monday because of acid reflux, which he said runs in his family. "Everything's fine. Everything came out good. Nothing too bad there," he said. "It was quick. The doctor was waiting for me, so I got in and got out. I'm ready to go, ready to get back out there. I was kind of bored yesterday. I'm ready to come back out there today and participate with the team."

Twins manager Ron Gardenhire said Monday that third baseman Trevor Plouffe has been limited early on in camp due to a sore right calf. Gardenhire added he has held Plouffe out of workouts merely as a precaution. Plouffe is projected to be the starting third baseman for Minnesota this season. "He'll be fine," Gardenhire told MLB.com. "We all know about the throwing part and all those things. I know Plouffe worked his butt off out there trying to get better. That's half the battle. You've got a guy willing to go out and do extra work -- tried a lot of different things. The advantage he has now is he's the third baseman. It's not like he's got to take ground balls in left field."

After a quality first season filling in for Troy Tulowitzki at short, the Rockies planned to use Josh Rutledge as their starting second baseman for the upcoming season. Apparently, nobody told DJ LeMahieu, who said he still considers himself a contender for the position after holding the spot for the final two months of the 2012 season. "I'm just going to go into camp competing," he told The Denver Post. "But I would go in with the same attitude even if I had a job locked up." LeMahieu finished with a .297 batting average and 18 extra-base hits in 81 games for the Rockies last season after beginning the year in Triple-A.

Despite playing just 45 games in the majors, Jean Segura will be the starting shortstop for the Brewers on opening day. Segura, who was acquired in the Zack Greinke deal last summer, batted .258 with 14 RBI and seven stolen bases in 2012. "We are (committing to an inexperienced player) but he has really good aptitude, a really good tool set, good speed, good range, good hands, great arm," manager Ron Roenicke told The Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel. "So, he's got the ability, if the mental part is right, to be a very good shortstop for a very long time."

The Denver Post claims that infielder Nolan Arenado is "in the mix" to win the Rockies' third base job this spring. Arenado, the Rockies' top prospect, is in spring training as a non-roster invitee. He is battling with Chris Nelson and Jordan Pacheco for the job.

Manny Machado enters his first major-league camp projected to be the starting third baseman for the Orioles in 2013. Manager Buck Showalter has not named him the starter yet, however, so the 20-year-old has been working on his defense at the hot corner. "It's still tough," said Machado, who made the move from shortstop to third base when he was promoted on Aug 9. "I'm not really used to it, comfortable with it, but it definitely does help that I played it before going into [this season]. I still feel like a shortstop, but it's kind of a good thing sometimes instead of just thinking like a third baseman."

Rays third baseman Evan Longoria reported to camp early so the training staff could begin working on his surgically repaired right hamstring, according to the The Tampa Tribune. Longoria had minor surgery in late November. "Two weeks after surgery I was feeling like a new man," he said. Longoria said he has been running, but hasn't attempted any bursts, which would put stress on his hamstring. Longoria said he isn't sure when he will begin playing in spring training games, but he will be ready by opener. Longoria said he will be open to taking days off during the season as a preventive measure. "If it keeps me on the field, I'll do it," he said.