MLB Player News

The Rays assigned Lowe to their alternate training site Thursday, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Lowe is one of the Rays' top power bats at any level of the system, but he wasn't an ideal fit for a bench role with two other lefty-hitting first basemen in front of him on the depth chart (Ji-Man Choi and Yoshi Tsutsugo). The Rays have ample depth at every position on the roster, so it could require multiple absences from lineup regulars before Lowe gets another look as a strong-side platoon bat.

Wade has made Minnesota's 30-man Opening Day roster, Do-Hyoung Park of MLB.com reports.

Wade could get playing time in center field if Byron Buxton (foot) isn't able to play in the first few games. Wade could get regular playing time if Buxton is out for an extended period, but the Twins would likely use a mix of Jake Cave, Marwin Gonzalez and Wade to fill Buxton's spot. When Buxton returns, Wade will be a defensive replacement and pinch runner off the bench.

The Tigers reassigned Dixon to their alternate training site in Toledo on Thursday.

Though he led the Tigers with 15 home runs in 2019, Dixon was still a below-league-average hitter (86 wRC+) and didn't provide much value in the field. The Tigers non-tendered him over the winter before bringing him back on a minor-league deal, but he was unable to win a utility job with the club coming out of summer camp.

O'Hearn (illness) has resumed baseball activities, Lynn Worthy of The Kansas City Star reports.

O'Hearn tested positive for COVID-19 in early July, but he appears to be on the right track as he's been cleared to take part in baseball activities. Although he hasn't been activated from the COVID-19 injured list, the 26-year-old will work out at the satellite camp as he returns to full strength, Jeffrey Flanagan of MLB.com reports. If O'Hearn isn't ready to take the field for Opening Day on Friday, Ryan McBroom could take over at first base.

White went 2-for-2 with a single and ground-rule double in Saturday's intrasquad game, Greg Johns of MLB.com reports.

The strong showing is an extension of what has been a highly productive summer camp for White. The rookie everyday first baseman will be looking to carry over the momentum from his impressive performance at Double-A Arkansas last season -- during which he slashed .293/.350/.488 with 33 extra-base hits (13 doubles, two triples, 18 home runs) and 55 RBI -- to his first big-league campaign.

Wade appears set to make Minnesota's initial expanded 30-man roster and could see early playing time if Byron Buxton remains sidelined with a foot injury, MLB.com reports.

Wade has been impressive in summer camp with a multi-hit effort in Friday's scrimmage. He could get time in center field with Buxton out, though the Twins could also play Max Kepler in center field and play Jake Cave in right field. Wade was optioned to Triple-A Rochester before spring training was shut down due to the pandemic, but he looks set for a reserve role with major-league rosters expanding to 30 players for the first two weeks of the 60-game season.

Cron hit two home runs in an intrasquad game Thursday, Jason Beck of MLB.com reports.

Cron hit 25 home runs for Minnesota last season, and he likely could have blasted a few more if a thumb injury hadn't slowed him down in the second half. The 30-year-old is also just two years removed from a 30-homer campaign, so there is definitely plenty of pop in his bat, and he's a solid bet to lead the Tigers in home runs during the abbreviated 2020 season.

Tellez slugged three home runs over his first two intrasquad games at summer camp and hit another during a live batting practice session against Shun Yamaguchi on Sunday, Keegan Matheson of MLB.com reports.

Tellez's long ball off Yamaguchi was particularly impressive, as it reached the second deck of the right-field stands at Rogers Centre. The 25-year-old has always offered plus power from the left side, but a 28.4 percent career strikeout rate has played a large factor in him being only a league-average hitter (100 wRC+) over parts of two seasons in the majors. He may need to continue to mash in summer camp to open the season with a large-side platoon role. Tellez looks to be one of the Blue Jays most at risk of losing playing time after manager Charlie Montoyo said last week that Vladimir Guerrero would move across the diamond and serve as the club's primary first baseman in 2020.

The Royals placed O'Hearn (illness) on the COVID-19 injured list Tuesday.

O'Hearn and starting pitcher Brad Keller were both moved to the IL just a few days after they were revealed to have tested positive for the coronavirus, while Salvador Perez was activated from the COVID-19 IL after clearing all health-related protocols. Before he's able to rejoin the Royals for workouts, O'Hearn will need to test negative for COVID-19 on two occasions while he remains in quarantine. Unless he's back with the Royals by the end of the week, O'Hearn may have a tough time gaining clearance for the team's July 24 season opener versus the Indians.

White hit his first home run of summer camp off Yusei Kikuchi in Tuesday's intrasquad game, Greg Johns of MLB.com reports.

The starting first baseman launched his round tripper in the first inning off the left-hander, breaking the long-ball ice more than a week into camp. White had already made a strong impression with his bat before spring training was suspended by hitting .333 across eight exhibitions, and he'll have a chance to continue ramping up for his first season as a full-time starter over the next week-plus.