MLB Player News

Nationals infielder Anthony Rendon went 3 for 7 with a solo home run and a stolen base in his team's 4-2, 16-inning win over the Brewers Tuesday.

Rendon tied the game with his eighth-inning home run, and neither team would break through with another run until Ryan Zimmerman smacked a two-run homer in the top of the 16th. Rendon has slugged six of his 12 home runs in June, and he owns a .276/.336/.479 line with 43 RBI and six stolen bases in 290 at-bats.

Orioles third baseman Manny Machado is expected to have a hearing Wednesday to appeal his five-game suspension, a source told The Baltimore Sun. Machado could know if his suspension gets reduced before Friday's doubleheader.

Rockies third baseman Nolan Arenado said Monday that he has been cleared to grip a bat, though he's still prohibited from taking any swings, MLB.com reports.

On the disabled list since late May, Arenado is recovering from a finger injury, and recent X-rays showed no structural damage to the finger. He has hit .305/.333/.489 with six home runs and 28 RBI in 190 at-bats.

Pirates third baseman Pedro Alvarez went 1 for 3 with a walk and a three-run home run in his team's 8-1 win over the Rays Monday.

Alvarez was facing a bit of a power dry spell, with his last home run coming back on June 3, before launching a ball over the center field fence Monday. He has hit .232/.318/.402 with 12 home runs and 38 RBI in 271 at-bats.

Phillies third baseman Cody Asche went 3 for 3 with a double in his team's 4-0 loss to the Marlins Monday.

Asche's double was his team's only extra-base hit in the game, and his three hits comprised exactly half of his team's hit total. Now 6 for 15 since returning from the disabled list, the third baseman has hit .274/.351/.437 with four home runs and 21 RBI in 135 at-bats.

With Bryce Harper getting closer to returning from a thumb injury, Nationals manager Matt Williams announced Ryan Zimmerman will be returning to third base upon Harper's activation off the disabled list and Anthony Rendon will move to second base, per MLB.com.

Although Zimmerman is happy to oblige his manager, he said Sunday he prefers to stay in left field and have Rendon continue to play at third base.

"Going out to left field, gave us the best chance to win. It’s a good problem to have. Too many good players and not enough spots," Zimmerman said. "I’ll see what happens. I’m pretty comfortable in left and I think Anthony is a hell of a third baseman. I think there is no doubt right now he is better over there than me. But you have to have your best players in the lineup somehow. Whatever [manager] Matt [Williams] needs me to do, that’s what I’ll do."

Twins manager Ron Gardenhire said he expects third baseman Trevor Plouffe (left rib inflammation) and infielder Eduardo Nunez (hamstring) to be ready to come off the 15-day disabled list after the team finishes a six-game road trip June 29, per MLB.com.

"I don't know if they're even going to need rehab," Gardenhire said. "When we get back from this trip, they should be both ready. Whether they're going to rehab or not, we're not decided yet."

Thinking about starting Derek Norris, Mike Napoli, Scooter Gennett, Yangervis Solarte, Jean Segura or Dexter Fowler in Fantasy Week 13 (June 23-29)? You might want to think again.

Find out why in the latest Start and Sit Hitters.

The Royals activated third baseman Danny Valencia (hand, wrist) from the 15-day disabled list, and he's in the lineup batting seventh Sunday against the Mariners and lefty Roenis Elias. Royals manager Ned Yost said Valencia will play against "most lefties."

Twins manager Ron Gardenhire said third baseman Trevor Plouffe (oblique) and left fielder Eduardo Nunez (hamstring) are healing well, reports the St. Paul Pioneer Press. They're on track to return from the disabled list early next month, during a seven-game homestand that starts June 30.