Athletics C Vogt becomes third different player to hit third in order
by Igor Mello | CBSSports.com

(1:56 pm ET) Athletics catcher Stephen Vogt will become the third different player to hit third in the batting on Thursday against the Rangers, per MLB.com. Manager Bob Melvin went with Sam Fuld in the opener, followed by Eric Sogard in Game 2 and newcomer Cody Ross in Game 3.

Mark Canha will hit No. 7 in Vogt’s place.

Oakland will face right-hander Nick Martinez on Thursday. Vogt is hitting .429 (3 for 7) with a double, a home run and an RBI to start the season.

Phillies OF Domonic Brown will begin rehab assignment Thursday
by Igor Mello | CBSSports.com

(1:29 pm ET) Phillies outfielder Domonic Brown will begin a minor-league rehab assignment on Thursday with Class A Clearwater, according to the Philadelphia Inquirer. Brown is working his way back from left Achilles tendinitis. He has yet to make his season debut.

Nationals RHP Blake Treinen adjusting to high-leverage situations
by Igor Mello | CBSSports.com

(1:22 pm ET) Nationals right-hander Blake Treinen was summoned in the eighth inning of Wednesday’s game against the Mets, followed by Drew Storen in the ninth to close out a 2-1 victory.

With Tyler Clippard traded to Oakland in the offseason, the Nationals were left without a clear right-handed option as a setup man to start the season. Manager Matt Williams indicated that his plan was to use Treinen coming into the game, per MLB.com. Treinen entered in the eighth and tossed a scoreless frame to help secure the win for Washington.

It was Treinen’s 16th career big-league appearance, and he revealed he revealed he’ll need to get adjusted to working more high-leverage situations.

“Even last year in the bullpen, I didn’t really come in for one-run leads,” Treinen said. “So its still new, but I enjoyed it.

“It’s something I’ll get adjusted to. I don’t think it bothers me. I enjoy those moments.”

A’s SP Scott Kazmir having no issues with back Thursday
by Michael Hurcomb | CBSSports.com

(1:13 pm ET) Athletics starting pitcher Scott Kazmir said he felt fine Thursday after dealing with a minor bout of back stiffness during his season debut Wednesday against the Indians, per the San Francisco Chronicle. Kazmir said some stretching Wednesday night did the trick.

The left-hander didn’t seem bothered by the back issue Wednesday, as he allowed one hit and struck out 10 over seven scoreless innings.

Giants SP Jake Peavy on track to make Sunday start
by Igor Mello | CBSSports.com

(1:06 pm ET) Giants pitcher Jake Peavy (back) completed a bullpen session without any issues, and remains on track to make his next scheduled start on Sunday against San Diego, per the San Francisco Chronicle.

“I just have the biggest smile in the world on my face because I know we’ve got it where it’s supposed to be,” Peavy said. “I hope it stays that way.”

Giants 1B Brandon Belt could pinch-hit on Thursday
by Igor Mello | CBSSports.com

(12:58 pm ET) Giants first baseman Brandon Belt, who is hoping to avoid a stint on the disabled list, took 25 swings in the cage on Wednesday, and could be used as a pinch-hitter on Thursday against San Diego, manager Bruce Bochy told reporters, per the San Francisco Chronicle.

Belt has been sidelined since Tuesday with a groin strain.

“I think we got it at the right time,” Bochy said. “We did the best thing that could be done (Tuesday) night and pulled him out. Hopefully we’ll be able to throw him out there in the next few days.”

Jaff Decker sent to Triple-A Indianapolis for rehab assignment
by Igor Mello | CBSSports.com

(12:54 pm ET) Pirates left fielder Jaff Decker, who is on the 15-day disabled list with a calf strain, will begin a minor-league rehab assignment with Triple-A Indianapolis, according to the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review. No date has been announced for his rehab game.

Phillies’ Jeff Francoeur unleashes first MLB home run since 2013
by Igor Mello | CBSSports.com

(12:49 pm ET) Phillies manager Ryne Sandberg hinted that he won’t yank hot bats from Philadelphia’s lineup this season, and veteran outfielder Jeff Francoeur may make that difficult for Sandberg after his performance Wednesday night against Boston.

Francoeur launched a three-run home run off Rick Porcello in his first start of the season, leading his club to a 4-2 victory. It was his first home run since June 16, 2013, when he was a member of the Royals. He is hitting .400 (2 for 5) to start the year.

“I hit (15) in El Paso last year,” Francoeur said, per MLB.com. “It was nice. It was a lot of hard work last year. It makes you appreciate being back up here and getting those opportunities. And you don’t want to miss them. It’s a lot of fun.”

Luhnow: Astros won’t hesitate to call up Correa, Appel from Double-A
by Michael Hurcomb | CBSSports.com

(12:44 pm ET) Astros prospects Carlos Correa and Mark Appel will begin the 2015 season at Double-A Corpus Christi, but they might not need a stint at Triple-A Fresno before making it to The Show.

“We’re not going to hesitate to bring them straight up from Double-A if the need arises,” general manager Jeff Luhnow told MLB Network Radio on Thursday.

Correa and Appel are ranked as the Astros’ top prospects by MLB.com and Baseball America.

Mariners’ Brad Miller homers in his second multihit game in 2015
by Michael Hurcomb | CBSSports.com

(12:38 pm ET) Mariners shortstop Brad Miller collected his second multihit game in three appearances during Wednesday’s game against the Angels. Miller went 2 for 4 with a solo home run off Matt Shoemaker in the third inning.

Miller is batting .400 (4 for 10) with one home run, one RBI and two runs.