MLB Player News

Manager Mike Matheny said March 6 that O'Hearn could begin the season in a "soft platoon" at first base with Ryan McBroom, Jeffrey Flanagan of MLB.com reports.

O'Hearn burst onto the scene with a .950 OPS and 12 home runs over 44 games in 2018, but he struggled in a larger role last season with a .650 OPS and 14 homers in 105 contests. The 26-year-old was impressive prior to the suspension of spring training, posting a .343/.395/.679 slash line with five home runs in 35 at-bats, though McBroom also had a .314/.368/.657 slash line. O'Hearn would be in the strong side of the platoon as the left-handed bat, so he would still be in line for regular at-bats if Matheny employs that strategy.

Mountcastle hit .235/.235/.412 with one home run and nine strikeouts over 34 plate appearances this spring.

Mountcastle was working at first base and in the outfield before spring training was suspended, although it's unlikely that he'll be on the major-league roster when play resumes. However, designated hitter Renato Nunez has been working at third base this spring, which could open up more opportunities for Mountcastle if he makes his likely debut in 2020, Roch Kubatko of MASNSports.com reports.

Abreu believes the White Sox will be competing for a playoff spot in 2020, Daryl Van Schouwen of the Chicago Sun-Times reports.

Abreu has spent six seasons with the White Sox, who have finished no better than third (in 2019) in the AL Central and never made the playoffs during his tenure. After the development of young prospects into stars and offseason acquisitions, the expectations for the team are huge in 2020. "The expectations are high with this team, and every Sox fan should be excited because we have a good team,'' Abreu said. ''It's time for us to start competing and to be one of the teams fighting for a playoff spot." Abreu has been remarkably consistent over his first six MLB seasons and, thanks to a better supporting cast, jumped up to a career- and AL-high 123 RBI in 2019. He'll have an even stronger group surrounding him in 2020. Abreu will return as the starting first baseman and bat third with any number of reputable hitters to protect him in the batting order.

Diaz has appeared in 10 Grapefruit League games to date, going 8-for-26 at the plate with two RBI and a 2:6 BB:K.

Diaz's best game of the spring came in his most recent appearance Monday, when he went 2-for-2 with a triple in a 2-2 tie with the Pirates. He served as the cleanup hitter against Pittsburgh righty Mitch Keller in a lineup consisting primarily of everyday players, so Diaz looks like he might have the opportunity to occupy a spot in the heart of the order once the regular season arrives.

The Rays optioned Padlo (illness) to Triple-A Durham on Monday.

Padlo wasn't available for the start of big-league camp while he dealt with severe headaches, but he's feeling better after having found proper medication to treat the condition. The missed time likely had no bearing on Padlo making the Opening Day roster, as he was always expected to begin the season at Triple-A. He was cleared last week to resume full baseball activities and should be ready to go when Durham opens its schedule April 9.

Wade is in the mix for the final spot on the 26-man roster along with Willians Astudillo and Jake Cave. Wade is hitting .313 (5-for-16) with a .914 OPS this spring.

Wade is likely a long shot to make the roster, but the Twins could keep both Jake Cave and Wade if Byron Buxton isn't ready to begin the season due to his recovery from shoulder surgery. Wade's ability to draw walks and play center field led to his callup for 26 games last season. But after hitting just .246/.392/.356 at Triple-A and .196/.348/.375 in the majors, he'll likely need to show more with his bat at Triple-A before getting an extended chance in the majors.

Dalbec was one of five Red Sox players optioned to Triple-A Pawtucket on Sunday, Chris Cotillo of MassLive.com reports.

Dalbec was thought to have a chance at cracking the big-league roster, possibly as depth at first base, but he will instead open the season in the minors. The return of Mitch Moreland from a knee injury sealed Dalbec's fate. Moreland and Michael Chavis will share first base.

Olson went 1-for-2 with a two-run home run, a walk and two runs overall in a Cactus League split-squad loss to the Reds on Friday.

The slugging first baseman took Wade Miley deep in the first inning with Matt Chapman aboard for his first spring round tripper. Olson is hitting just .167 despite the homer, which was only his third hit through nine spring contests. However, there is no concern about the 25-year-old, who set career highs in multiple categories in 2019, including in home runs (36) and RBI (91).

Gurriel went 0-for-3 in Friday's spring game against the Mets and is 2-for-17 (.118) through seven Grapefruit League appearances.

Gurriel busted out with 31 home runs in 2019, as he improved his flyball, hard-hit and launch-angle rates. His .243 ISO last season stands out as an outlier, so he could return to normal in 2020, his age-36 season. He'll continue to be the primary first baseman with eligibility at third while playing in a hitter-friendly park for half the season.

Cron said he altered his mechanics last season after breaking his thumb but noted that his swing feels more natural heading into 2020, Chris McCosky of The Detroit News reports.

Cron had offseason thumb surgery and didn't swing for a while, which he said allowed him to basically reset his swing. This is good news, because the first baseman hit .266 with an .821 OPS, 17 home runs and 54 RBIs in 78 games for the Twins before the injury. After returning, he played 47 more games and slashed just .229/.280/.420 with seven home runs. A healthy Cron might push for 30 long balls and should hit in the heart of Detroit's order all year.