MLB Player News

Hiura (arm) is starting at designated hitter in Sunday's intrasquad game, Will Sammon of The Athletic reports.

Ryan Braun (general soreness) has been unavailable the past couple days, and if the regular season began today, Hiura may be the Brewers' designated hitter. However, Braun and Hiura have a few more days to get right before Friday's opener against the Cubs. Hiura's throwing arm is currently too sore for him to man the keystone.

Walker (groin) received treatment Friday and is expected to resume baseball activity Sunday, Nick Piecoro of the Arizona Republic reports.

Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo said he'd like to get Walker live at-bats a few days prior to Opening Day before feeling comfortable with him taking the field July 24 in San Diego. This could be a case where Walker serves as the designated hitter while Jake Lamb starts at first base.

Cronenworth could make the Opening Day roster in place of Jorge Mateo (illness) if Mateo remains out, AJ Cassavell of MLB.com reports.

Cronenworth has been trending on the wrong side of the roster bubble as Opening Day approaches, but the likelihood that Mateo -- who tested positive for COVID-19 early in the month and has yet to return -- will not be ready to go by the start of the season will likely open a spot for a utility infielder. That spot would almost certainly go to Cronenworth, whom the Padres acquired in a trade with Tampa Bay last December.

Rizzo (back) took batting practice and worked in the field Saturday, Maddie Lee of NBC Sports Chicago reports.

Rizzo has been limited recently while dealing with rib inflammation on his left side that led to back spasms, but he appears to be slightly increasing his workload as he was able to take grounders Saturday. Manager David Ross still considers the first baseman to be day-to-day. Whether he'll be ready for the start of the season remains to be seen.

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.

Hiura (arm) could participate in Sunday's intrasquad game, Will Sammon of The Athletic reports.

The 23-year-old remains out of Friday's action and the Brewers won't have an intrasquad game Saturday. GM David Stearns said the team isn't "particularly concerned" about Hiura's sore throwing arm, and a return to the field Sunday could go a long way toward cementing his status for Opening Day.

Freeman (illness) cleared MLB's COVID-19 protocols and began working out at the Braves' facility Friday.

The 30-year-old has been absent from summer training after testing positive for COVID-19 and battling a fever in early July, but he's since recovered and is joining his teammates on the field. Freeman has yet to be ruled out for next Friday's season opener against the Mets and may need some additional time to reach game readiness, but his return to the field this week gives him a chance to potentially avoid missing any games. Regardless, joining team workouts is a significant step toward full clearance and is a boost to his early season prospects. Adam Duvall, Austin Riley and Johan Camargo are the potential fill-in options at first base should Freeman be unable to play Opening Day.

Walker (groin) could resume baseball activities this weekend, Steve Gilbert of MLB.com reports.

Walker, who injured the groin Sunday of this week, is confident he'll ready to play Opening Day, whether as a first baseman, designated hitter or pinch hitter. If he's unable to start on the field, then Jake Lamb would be the likely fill-in.

Cronenworth has yet to pitch during summer camp as the Padres are asking him to focus exclusively on his role as an infielder, AJ Cassavell of MLB.com reports.

Cronenworth received the opportunity to pitch in some minor-league games while in the Rays' system last year and threw several bullpen sessions for the Padres during spring training, but he has not been tasked with throwing any bullpens during summer camp. Instead, Cronenworth is focusing on taking reps in the infield, and he remains on the bubble for a spot on the team's initial 30-man roster.

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.