MLB Player News

Athletics third baseman Josh Donaldson will likely be the team's two-hitter this season, according to Inside the A's. 

Donaldson said he feels comfortable at any spot in the lineup, and gained some experience hitting in that spot last year. "[Manager Bob Melvin] put me there last year some toward the end of the season and it seemed to work." Donaldson said that even though he'll likely begin the season hitting second, things can change. "[Melvin] put me there last year some toward the end of the season and it seemed to work."

Donaldson hit .301/.384/.499 in 579 at-bats last year.

A doctor visit to update progress from offseason knee surgery for Orioles third baseman Manny Machado has been pushed back three days to March 18, the Baltimore Sun has reported. He could receive clearance to return to full action at that time, but will likely open the season on the disabled list.

It appears unlikely that Orioles third baseman Manny Machado will be available to start the regular season, per USA Today.

Machado is scheduled for a doctor visit on March 15 to determine his progress in his recovery from offseason knee surgery. He hopes to be ready to play by mid-April, which would cost him the first two weeks. That could result in Ryan Flaherty opening the season at third.

The Indians updated the statuses of two injured players Monday. They said first baseman/outfielder Bryan LaHair (wrist) is only hitting off a tee, and infielder Jose Ramirez (thumb) is out 7-10 days.

Orioles third baseman Manny Machado can't run the bases or slide yet, according to MASN.

Machado has been cleared for everything else, so this isn't necessarily a set back. He's hoping to be fully cleared for games by mid-March. In the meantime, the team will also attempt to limit his side-to-side movement at third. Machado is recovering from offseason knee surgery.

Machado hit .283/.314/.432 in 667 at-bats last year.

Orioles third baseman Manny Machado is getting closer to being 100 percent, according to the Baltimore Sun.

Machado is nearly at the point where he's "structurally" good to go, according to manager Buck Showalter. Machado is attempting to return after offseason knee surgery. He was able to hit and do some running Sunday, so he has made progress.

The 21-year-old Machado hit .283/.314/.432 in 667 at-bats last year.

Orioles third baseman Manny Machado has been cleared to hit and do some running, according to MASN.

Machado plans on taking batting practice Sunday. He's recovering from offseason knee surgery. Despite the issue, Machado has been optimistic that he'll be ready by opening day. The 21-year-old hit .283/.314/.432 in 667 at-bats during his rookie season. 

Twins infielder Trevor Plouffe has added 10-12 pounds of muscle during the offseason, according to the Star Tribune.

Plouffe enters the season expecting to start at third for the club. The 27-year-old hit .254/.309/.392 in 477 at-bats last year. With prospect Miguel Sano expected to make his major-league debut at some point during the season, Plouffe could find himself fighting for a role if he can't get off to a strong start.

Orioles third baseman Manny Machado, who was cleared for limited baseball activities Friday after undergoing a follow-up exam coming off October knee surgery, said the earliest he will take the field in a spring game is mid-March, according to MLB.com.

He continues to be optimistic about being ready for opening day, but Machado said it's difficult to predict his return.

"Once I start playing I can give you a better, more or less, of an idea," said Machado, who will now begin running outside, taking ground balls and hitting. "Not a full-go yet. It's a process. Little by little, I'll be able to get back out there. It was definitely good to hear some good news from the doctor."

Machado added he has used video analysis to break down his stride and saw potential injury risks in the way he runs. Machado said fixing that will be part of the next phase in his rehab.

"It's all muscle memory," Machado said. "I've ran my entire life how I did last year, and obviously I had two [knee] injuries in the past two years, and that's definitely not right. And from what I saw, it's a fix, it's an easy fix, but it's something that's more mental than anything else. It's more of getting the right positioning and getting my gluteus and quads [involved]. Just getting my hips stronger and keeping it balanced, [keeping] my knee straight over my toes, that's something where when I was cutting yesterday, it's not much but just a little tap in that in the long run it might affect me some way or the other. So, it's better now that I have time to fix it and correct it and get better."

Orioles third baseman Manny Machado has been cleared to resume some baseball activities, ESPN.com reports. Machado was evaluated Friday and said to be exceeding expectations in his recovery from knee surgery, according to his doctor.

"He has worked exceptionally hard to get where he is," Dr. Neal ElAttrache said. "And we haven't rushed him. It's just a function of who he is as an athlete."

Machado has been cleared for limited activities. "He can hit, he can field ground balls, he can run," ElAttrache said.

Machado hit.283/.314/.432 slash line with 14 home runs, 71 RBI and six stolen bases in 667 at-bats for the Orioles last season.