MLB Player News

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.

Orioles third baseman Manny Machado and catcher Matt Wieters are progressing well from their injuries, according to MLB Network Radio.

Manager Buck Showalter said he expects both players to be fully healed by next season, but added that the club will prepare as though neither player will be around. Machado had knee surgery in August. Wieters is coming off June Tommy John surgery. 

The Athletics will listen to offers for pitchers Jeff Samardzija and Scott Kazmir, according to FoxSports.com.

The team isn't actively looking to shop either player, but would listen if any offers came in. Both Samardzija and Kazmir are entering the final years of the their contracts. Samardzija will likely be too expensive to remain in Oakland once his deal ends, while Kazmir could price his way off the team with another solid year. 

The club is adamant about keeping third baseman Josh Donaldson. Donaldson is eligible for arbitration for the first time in his career, and should receive a healthy raise, but he's too valuable a piece for the team to trade. 

Orioles third baseman Manny Machado told reporters Wednesday he has full range of motion in his right knee coming off surgery in late August, according to MASNsports.com. He could begin jogging in a pool next week.

Athletics third baseman Josh Donaldson, who's been dealing with a knee injury, said he's encouraged because it feels more "stable" than it did the past couple days, reports CSNCalifornia.com. Donaldson should be in the lineup when Oakland visits the Royals in Tuesday's Wild Card game.