MLB Player News

Alvarez remains a longshot to break camp with the Athletics, but he is making an impression with his bat in Cactus League play, Martin Gallegos of MLB.com reports.

The career minor-leaguer had his best game of spring Saturday, going 3-for-3 with a solo home run that traveled 423 feet to left field, per Gallegos. Alvarez has put together several impressive Triple-A stints since 2019 in which he's showcased some decent power, but he's yet to log a regular-season major-league at-bat. The 29-year-old has experience playing across the infield, and given his .539 average over eight Cactus League games thus far, he may be on his way to forcing manager Mark Kotsay into a difficult decision come final cutdowns.

Lipcius was optioned to Triple-A Oklahoma City on Sunday, Kirsten Watson of SportsNet LA reports.

Lipcius was acquired by the Dodgers on Monday, and he appeared in two Cactus League games with the team before being sent down, going 2-for-4 with an RBI. The infielder will now look to perform well while in Triple-A in an attempt to get called up to the majors at some point this summer.

Diaz was optioned to Triple-A Las Vegas on Sunday.

Diaz had a rough go of it with the A's in Cactus League play, batting .083 with a double and two runs scored while striking out three times over 24 at-bats in 10 contests. He'll now look to get right with the Aviators before he inevitably gets another shot with the major-league roster in 2024.

Rendon (groin) will start at third base and bat cleanup in Sunday's Cactus League game against the Padres, Jeff Fletcher of The Orange County Register reports.

As anticipated, Rendon will make his return to the lineup for the first time in one week after he reported groin discomfort following his most recent spring appearance last Sunday. The missed week of action shouldn't put Rendon too far behind his healthy teammates as Opening Day approaches. Heading into the fifth season of the seven-year, $245 million megadeal he signed with the Angels in December 2019, the 33-year-old Rendon will be looking to bounce back after he posted a career-worst .679 OPS over 183 plate appearances during an injury-shortened 2023 campaign.

Rosario is in the mix for starts at third base for the Padres while Manny Machado (elbow) is limited to the designated hitter spot, Kevin Acee of the San Diego Union-Tribune reports.

Machado will need to DH at least for the club's March 20-21 series in South Korea and perhaps for a bit when it returns home, too. That opens up some at-bats at the hot corner, where Rosario is competing primarily with Graham Pauley and Matthew Batten. Rosario, 24, is 6-for-25 with a couple stolen bases in Cactus League play and went 9-for-36 with two homers during his brief time with the big club last season. He can play second base and shortstop, as well, putting him in contention for a reserve role even if he's not getting starts at third base.

Batten is a candidate for starts at third base for the Padres while Manny Machado (elbow) is limited to designated hitter duty, Kevin Acee of the San Diego Union-Tribune reports.

Batten is in competition primarily with Graham Pauley and Eguy Rosario for playing time at third base until Machado is ready to play the field. The 28-year-old Batten is known more for his glove than his bat but held his own in 139 plate appearances with the big club last season, posting a .713 OPS with a couple homers. Batten's limited ceiling offensively makes him a lackluster fantasy option even if he were to garner starts for a while.

Pauley is in the running to start at third base for the Padres while Manny Machado (elbow) is limited to designated hitter duty, Kevin Acee of the San Diego Union-Tribune reports.

Machado will not be ready to play third for the team's March 20-21 series in South Korea against the Dodgers and perhaps for a bit longer than that. That opens up some playing time at the hot corner, with Pauley, Matthew Batten and Eguy Rosario in the mix, per Acee. Pauley is not on the 40-man roster, has yet to advance past Double-A San Antonio and is not a strong defender, factors which could work against him cracking the Opening Day roster. However, he's forced himself into the conversation this spring by putting up a 1.012 OPS with one home run in 12 games. The 23-year-old slashed an impressive .308/.393/.539 with 23 home runs and 22 stolen bases over three minor-league levels in 2023.

Padres manager Mike Shildt said Saturday that it's a "pretty safe" bet that Machado (elbow) will be the team's designated hitter during its March 20-21 series in South Korea against the Dodgers, Kevin Acee of the San Diego Union-Tribune reports.

Machado has yet to play third base in a spring training game and recently took a little break from throwing due to some soreness with his surgically repaired right elbow. He will resume throwing Sunday and go through drills at the hot corner, but it's unclear as to when he'll be allowed to play third base in a game. Matthew Batten, Graham Pauley or Eguy Rosario are options to handle third in South Korea, and it's possible they'll be needed for the Padres' domestic opener March 28, as well, if Machado isn't ready to play the field yet.

Machado will restart his throwing program Sunday, Dennis Lin of The Athletic reports.

Machado had been on a break from throwing as he continues to recover from an offseason elbow surgery. There is still no timeline in place for Machado to return to third base, but it will almost certainly come after San Diego's first series of the year against the Dodgers. In the meantime, he has done well as the Padres' DH this spring, going 4-for-12 with an RBI across seven games.

The Giants placed Davis on waivers Saturday, Robert Murray of FanSided.com reports.

Davis entered spring camp as the Giants' primary third baseman, but he quickly found himself without a clear path to playing time after the team signed Matt Chapman to a one-year deal. Rather than having Davis begin most games on the bench, the Giants will now place him on waivers in an effort to alleviate $6.9 million from their payroll. Davis slashed .248/.325/.413 with 18 homers and 69 RBI across 544 plate appearances last season and is sure to receive interest from other clubs, if not on waivers then on the free-agent market.