MLB Player News

Nationals second baseman Anthony Rendon hit his 16th home run Tuesday against the Mets.

Rendon struck in the sixth inning. He worked a six-pitch at-bat, homering on a 79 mph slider. It was his only hit of the game. Rendon finished 1 for 5, with one run scored and one RBI. 

Athletics third baseman Josh Donaldson went 3 for 4 with two home runs and four RBI in his team's 11-3 win over the Royals Tuesday.

Donaldson has racked up at least one hit in nine straight games but hadn't homered since the calendar turned to August before doing so twice Tuesday. He managed to deliver an RBI single in the third inning and a second RBI on a sacrifice fly in the fifth before smashing solo home runs in the seventh and eighth innings. Donaldson owns a .255/.341/.475 line with 25 home runs, 84 RBI and seven stolen bases in 451 at-bats.

Orioles third baseman Manny Machado has been diagnosed with a ligament sprain in his injured right knee, masnsports.com reports.

Machado suffered the injury Monday while slipping while attempting to come out of the batter's box. An MRI was scheduled, and while a ligament sprain is the diagnosis, the team is scheduled to have a further update on his condition tomorrow. Machado has hit .278/.324/.431 with 12 home runs and 32 RBI in 327 at-bats.

So you're at the point, with the season winding down, where you have to win at all costs. Seems straightforward enough. The only problem is your bench is overflowing with players you can't actually use -- ones that are injured but too valuable to drop, like Brett Lawrie, Brandon Phillips, Adam Eaton, Michael Wacha, Paul Goldschmidt, Yadier Molina, Ryan Zimmerman, Joey Votto, Carlos Gonzalez or Masahiro Tanaka.

Or maybe your albatross isn't injured but just doesn't inspire much confidence right now, like Pedro Alvarez, Justin Verlander or Mike Minor.

I've got news for you: This late in the year, when winning is paramount, you can consider dropping them. Granted, it shouldn't be the goal because the competition can only benefit from whatever you forfeit, but sometimes, it's your only choice.

I break it down player-by-player in my latest post to the Fantasy Baseball Today blog, so if you could a little assistance with that season-shifting dilemma, be sure to check out.

The Orioles are awaiting the arrival of team physician Dr. Michael Jacobs to the ballpark to read the results of Manny Machado's MRI, manager Buck Showalter told MASNSports.com Tuesday.

"I haven't heard anything negative," said manager Buck Showalter. "Manny seems to be in good spirits. That's good. So, we'll see what the day brings.

Machado had his MRI postponed early in the morning due to equipment malfunctions, but the results are expected to be announced this evening. Machado sprained his right knee Monday, but has yet to miss time since Tuesday's game was rained out. 

Orioles third baseman Manny Machado is scheduled for an MRI on his injured right knee Tuesday, though MASNSports.com reports the test has been delayed for a few hours. The results of the MRI are expected early Tuesday afternoon, prior to the team's scheduled game against the Yankees. 

Orioles third baseman Manny Machado underwent X-rays on his injured right knee, which came back negative, according to Comcast SportsNet Baltimore. He left the ballpark in crutches as a precaution and is scheduled for an MRI on Tuesday.

"Wait for the MRI and that will give us an idea of how long or how many days I'm going to be out," Machado said.

Orioles third baseman Manny Machado was diagnosed with a right knee sprain, according to the team's official website. He will be re-evaluated on Tuesday.

"It's been a lot more positive than the way it probably looked," manager Buck Showalter said, per MASN Sports.

Machado slipped and buckled his knee while attempting to come out of the batter's box in the third inning on Monday. He was unable to place any pressure on his leg and helped off the field by teammates and trainers. The 22-year-old is hitting .278 with 12 homers and 32 RBI in 327 at-bats.

Orioles third baseman Manny Machado was forced out of Monday's game against the Yankees with an apparent right knee injury.

Machado slipped and his knee buckled as he attempted to come out of the batter's box. He was unable to place any pressure on his leg and helped off the field by teammates and trainers. The 22-year-old had surgery on left knee in October. This injury was to the right knee. The extent of the injury is unknown at this point.

Machado finished 1 for 2 with a double and a run scored before leaving the game. He is hitting .278 with 12 homers and 32 RBI in 327 at-bats.

Twins third baseman Trevor Plouffe has returned to the lineup Monday after missing the Sunday game with a foot ailment.

Plouffe comes back in a 4-for-19 mini-slump that followed a short hot streak. He owns a .249/.322/.405 stat line on the season.