MLB Player News

The Padres optioned infielder Jace Peterson to Triple-A El Paso Friday, in order to clear a spot on the roster.

Peterson got the call just before the All-Star break but appeared in just two games for the Padres. He walked in his lone plate appearance before being sent down.

Royals manager Ned Yost told reporters that Billy Butler will lose some time as a designated hitter moving forward, the Kansas City Star reports Thursday. Yost is expected to give Danny Valencia and Raul Ibanez some reps at DH in the near future.

Orioles third baseman Manny Machado was held out of the starting lineup Thursday night against the Mariners, as he continues to work his way back from a back issue. Machado has now missed three straight games with the injury and is targeting a return at some point before the end of the week, according to the Baltimore Sun. He is hitting .267 with 10 homers and 23 RBI in 258 at-bats.

Orioles infielder Manny Machado was not in the team's starting lineup Wednesday against the Angels.

Machado is dealing with a back issue, and was also held out of Tuesday's game. Over 258 at-bats, he's hitting .267/.317/.422.

Indians just-promoted shortstop Jose Ramirez was easily their premier offensive player Wednesday in Minnesota - but that's not saying much.

Ramirez doubled in a run in the third inning and finished with two of their five hits. In the process, he matched his hit total in 18 at-bats in a previous stint this year with Cleveland.

Pirates third baseman Pedro Alvarez was held out of the starting lineup Wednesday vs. L.A. Dodgers after leaving Tuesday's game due to knee discomfort. Josh Harrison started in Alvarez's absence.

The Royals have benched designated hitter Billy Butler on Wednesday against the White Sox in favor of Danny Valencia. Butler continues to struggle, particularly in regard to his power numbers. He has just one home run since June 14 and three doubles since June 19. His .267/.320/.347 stat line pales in comparison to those he has compiled in previous seasons.

Jose Ramirez is not the prime shortstop prospect for the Indians - that distinction belongs to Francisco Lindor. But Ramirez has already received a chance to display his wares at the big league level and has now gotten another with a promotion to Cleveland.

Ramirez could serve as the starter with Asdrubal Cabrera dealing with a back problem. He has been torrid with Triple-A Columbus, racking up seven hits in his last four games, including three doubles and a triple, to sweeten his stat line to .302/.360/.441.

Rockies third baseman Nolan Arenado has been struggling to hit for power since returning from a thumb injury, but he didn't struggle in the third inning of a Tuesday night loss to Washington.

Arenado slammed his first homer since May 5, a two-run job against Jordan Zimmermann. Despite the power outage, Arenado does have nine hits in his last eight games.

Cubs infielder Mike Olt has been optioned to Triple-A Tuesday.

Olt has struggled this season, hitting just .139 over 187 at-bats. He's been able to provide some pop, hitting 12 home runs. Olt was optioned following Tuesday's game. He went 0 for 4, with three strikeouts.