MLB Player News

Orioles manager Buck Showalter said Tuesday he has kept a dialogue this offseason with third baseman Manny Machado, who is recovering from August knee surgery. Machado will report to Florida on Wednesday to have a checkup on his right knee, per MASNsports.com.

"I get a lot of feedback on him and about him," Showalter said. "I don't sit here and go down a list. I'm going to leave him alone. I asked (third base coach) Bobby Dickerson on the phone today, and he said it's the best he's felt in a long time right now. It's good to hear.

"He's probably not real happy about having to make the trek over here. He doesn't have to make the trek. It's completely voluntary. That's what I told him on the phone."

The Astros announced Tuesday they will have 17 non-roster invites for spring training, including starting pitcher prospect Mark Appel and shortstop prospect Carlos Correa. Appel was the No. 1 pick in the 2013 MLB draft, while Correa was the No. 1 pick in 2012.

The other non-roster invitees are outfielder Andrew Aplin, pitcher Darin Downs, infielder Matt Duffy, catcher Luis Flores, infielder Nolan Fontana, catcher Tyler Heineman, pitcher Jordan Jankowski, infielder Dan Johnson, infielder Colin Moran, catcher Roberto Pena, infielder Gregorio Petit, pitcher Brady Rodgers, infielder Joe Sclafani, pitcher Jason Stoffel and outfielder Preston Tucker.

Correa (No. 1) and Appel (No. 2) are considered the team's top two prospects, according to Baseball America. Moran (No. 7) is also considered a top-10 prospect.

Twins third baseman Trevor Plouffe has resumed all baseball activities after breaking his left arm in the final week of the regular season, according to the Star Tribune. 

Plouffe hit .258 with 14 home runs, 40 doubles and 80 RBI in 136 games in 2014. The 40 doubles and 80 RBI were career highs.

Orioles third baseman Manny Machado, who's recovering from knee surgery, is scheduled to attend a three-day minicamp at the team's spring training complex next week, reports the Baltimore Sun.

Catcher Matt Wieters, who's recovering from June elbow surgery, is rehabbing in Atlanta and won't attend the minicamp, the report said. Wieters is still expected to be ready for Opening Day, though the team is seeking an experienced backup catcher as insurance, the paper said.

Orioles manager Buck Showalter conveyed third baseman Manny Machado has a better chance of being ready for the Orioles season opener than catcher Matt Wieters, according to CSNBaltimore.com. 

Machado had right knee surgery in August and Wieters underwent Tommy John surgery in June.

"With both of these guys, it will be when and not if. I think if you held a gun up to my head, I think Manny makes the start of the year, and I think Matt is very close thereafter, but we won’t put either one of these guys on the field until it’s time to go, and try to keep the finish line in mind," Showalter said.

The Twins tendered contracts to all six of their arbitration-eligible players prior to Tuesday's deadline, MLB.com reports. Those players include: Third baseman Trevor Plouffe, reliever Brian Duensing, outfielder Jordan Schafer, shortstop Eduardo Nunez, pitchers Tommy Milone and Casey Fien.

New Blue Jays third baseman Josh Donaldson has predicted a power surge in 2015, greatly as a result to the move to a new home ballpark.

"(There were) 14 balls I hit in Oakland this year I thought would go out for homers but didn't," he told Sportsnet. "I'm looking forward to hitting in Rogers Center."

Donaldson still blasted 29 home runs with the Athletics last season.

The Athletics have dealt third baseman Josh Donaldson to the Blue Jays for third baseman Brett Lawrie and pitcher Kendall Graveman, according to FoxSports.com. CBSSports.com Baseball Insider Jon Heyman has confirmed the deal.

Pitcher Sean Nolin and shortstop Franklin Barreto are also heading to Oakland, according to Yahoo! The 28-year-old Donaldson is entering his first year of arbitration. He's under team control until 2019. Lawrie is also entering his first year of arbitration, but will become a free-agent in 2018. Lawrie is entering his age-25 season. Graveman sky-rocketed through Toronto's farm system last year, jumping multiple levels. The 23-year-old posted a 1.83 ERA in 27 starts over four levels. He made his major-league debut as well, coming out of the bullpen five times at the end of the year. 

The 24-year-old Nolin posted a 3.43 ERA over three levels in the minors last season. He tossed one inning in the majors last season, giving up one run. The 18-year-old Barreto hit .311/.384/.481 over 328 at-bats in Class A ball. 

Rays third baseman Evan Longoria left an exhibition game Tuesday in Japan for precautionary reasons after being hit by a pitch on his left forearm. Longoria was batting in the third inning of the sixth game in the Japan All-Star series when he suffered the injury.

MLB.com first reported doctors diagnosed Longoria with a bruised forearm and he did not need to undergo any further testing. The Rays then confirmed Longoria only suffered a bruise.

He appeared to be OK after getting hit, as he was able to take first base and play in the field in the bottom of the third inning. However, he was then replaced in the fourth inning. Longoria hit a grand slam in the exhibition opener Nov. 11.

The Red Sox will target Pirates third baseman Pedro Alvarez and Indians counterpart Lonnie Chisenhall as trade possibilities if their attempt to sign free agent Pablo Sandoval is unsuccessful, according to the Boston Herald.

The 27-year-old Alvarez was moved to first base last season, but prefers the hot corner, where he committed 24 throwing errors in 2014. Chisenhall also struggled mightily on defense and fizzled out at the plate after a torrid start.

Both players are arbitration-eligible. The Indians have been rumored to be seeking an upgrade at third base and are also looking to be less dependent on left-handed hitters.