MLB Player News

Freeman (illness) has been feeling better over the last week, but he still needs to test negative for COVID-19 twice before being allowed to return to the field, Mark Bowman of MLB.com reports.

The details regarding each individual player's battle with coronavirus haven't generally been made public. In Freeman's case, the implication from both his manager Brian Snitker and his wife Chelsea at the time he originally tested positive in early July was that his case was far from a mild one. While the news that he's recovering is undoubtedly positive, it remains to be seen when he'll get back on the field in any capacity, let alone when he'll be ready for game action.

Cahoun (illness) arrived at the Diamondbacks' camp Friday, Nick Piecoro of The Arizona Republic reports.

Calhoun missed the first several days of camp after testing positive for COVID-19, but his arrival Friday signals that he's cleared MLB protocol. The 32-year-old was asymptomatic, but it's unclear whether the absence will impact his availability for Opening Day.

Rizzo didn't participate in Tuesday's intrasquad game due to lower back tightness, Jordan Bastian of MLB.com reports.

The 30-year-old has battled intermittent back issues throughout his career, so it's not much of a surprise to see the Cubs being cautious early in summer camp. Still, it's a somewhat worrying development following the extended hiatus, especially with scheduled off days at a premium during the shortened 60-game season. Rizzo may lay low for a couple days but hopefully will make a relatively quick return to the field. Manager David Ross plans to bat his first baseman second in the order, with Kris Bryant batting leadoff.

Calhoun tested positive for COVID-19 on Monday, Nick Piecoro of The Arizona Republic reports.

Calhoun is asymptomatic and feeling great. The test results explain why the outfielder has been absent from the Diamondbacks' initial summer camp workouts. Arizona teammate David Peralta, who was experiencing symptoms, tested negative four times before being able to join the team Monday, according to Steve Gilbert of MLB.com.

The Braves placed Freeman (illness) on the 10-day injured list Saturday.

Freeman was one of four Braves players revealed Saturday to have tested positive for COVID-19, but only he and reliever Will Smith will head to the IL for now. Of the four players to test positive, Freeman's health situation appears to be the most serious, as his wife, Chelsea, posted via her personal Instagram account that the four-time All-Star "has had body aches, headaches, chills and a high fever since Thursday." Per Mark Bowman of MLB.com, manager Brian Snitker revealed that Freeman was feeling "much stronger" Sunday, but the first baseman will need to be asymptomatic for at least 72 hours before he can take another test as he seeks the first of the two negative results he'll need to receive clearance to play. It's unclear at this point if Freeman will be back to full health when the Braves open their season July 23 or 24.

The Cardinals announced Sunday that Montero tested positive for COVID-19.

Montero is the fourth known Cardinals player -- and the second player who traveled back to the United States from the Dominican Republic ahead of summer camp -- to test positive for the coronavirus. Fortunately for the 22-year-old, he's not currently experiencing any symptoms of the virus, so he should be able to rejoin the Cardinals after a period of self-isolation and after two negative test results. Though the Cardinals include the infielder in their 60-man roster pool, he wasn't considered a prime candidate to crack the team's 30-man Opening Day unit.

Manager Brian Snitker said Saturday that Freeman tested positive for COVID-19, Mark Bowman of MLB.com reports.

Freeman and three of his teammates tested positive for COVID-19. The 30-year-old is reportedly battling a fever, and Snitker said that it's "going to be awhile" before Freeman is able to report to camp, David O'Brien of The Athletic reports.

Goldschmidt, who was present for the Cardinals' first day of summer camp Friday, reports his previously sore right elbow is feeling much better following the long layoff, Anne Rogers of MLB.com reports. "I was able to take some time off and give it some rest and get treatment on it for awhile," Goldschmidt said during a video conference at Busch Stadium on Friday. "It's 100 percent now. I'm not sure if it would have been if we rolled right into the season. Hopefully that's one positive, personally."

The extended suspension of all official baseball activities carried a silver lining for several injured players, with Goldschmidt one prominent example. The 32-year-old remained in South Florida for the last three months, which not only gave him access to the Cardinals' spring training facility in Jupiter for treatment, but also enabled him to work out with the likes of Giancarlo Stanton, Justin Verlander and Max Scherzer. The fact he was able to get at-bats against two of the game's elite pitchers should certainly have him ready to jump back into batting practice against his own team's pitchers.

Calhoun did not attend Friday's practice session, Cameron Cox of 12 Sports Arizona reports.

Calhoun was one of three key pieces of the Diamondbacks roster not in attendance Friday, along with Madison Bumgarner and David Peralta. All three are awaiting clearance to return.

Montero was added to the Cardinals' 60-player roster pool Wednesday, Mark Saxon of The Athletic reports.

The 21-year-old made quick work of the lower minors prior to last season and earned a promotion to Double-A Springfield, but he struggled mightily with a .552 OPS and 74 strikeouts in 238 plate appearances while battling wrist injuries. Montero was added to the 40-man roster in November and will join the team's summer camp at Busch Stadium in advance of the shortened season.