MLB Player News

O'Hearn was activated from the COVID-19 injured list Monday.

O'Hearn missed most of camp after testing positive for the virus. He's only been cleared to participate in baseball activities for less than a week, so it wouldn't be a surprise to see him in less than a full-time role to start as he builds back up to game shape. Richard Lovelady was optioned in a corresponding move.

Cronenworth drove in a run on a double in his first big-league at-bat Sunday.

The 26-year-old entered the game as a pinch runner in the eighth inning and came around to score on a single by Greg Garcia. Cronenworth then got a chance to hit in the ninth, driving a clutch double to deep right field to bring home a run and narrow the Padres' deficit to one run. The stellar debut could weigh on the team's mind as it decides how (or if) to juggle the roster when Jorge Mateo (illness) is ready to play.

Royals manager Mike Matheny said Monday that O'Hearn (illness) is "really close" to returning from the COVID-19 injured list, Jeffrey Flanagan of MLB.com reports.

O'Hearn was cleared to return to the Royals' satellite camp last week to resume baseball activities, so he's presumably just attempting to make up for the training time he lost after testing positive for the coronavirus earlier this month. Once activated, O'Hearn is expected to slot in as the Royals' primary first baseman, likely occupying the strong side of a platoon with Ryan McBroom.

Santana went 0-for-2 with two runs and two walks in Sunday's win against the Royals.

Although Santana hasn't recorded a hit over eight at-bats to begin the season, he's drawn four walks and scored twice in Sunday's 9-2 win. The 34-year-old had a career-best .281 batting average, 34 home runs and 93 RBI last season and has a .333 OBP to begin the 2020 campaign.

Rizzo went 1-for-4 with a solo home run in Sunday's win over the Brewers.

That's two home runs in three games for Rizzo, a welcome sign given the back issues he dealt with during summer camp. The Cubs will likely use Victor Caratini some at first base to keep Rizzo fresh, but the latter looks healthy to begin the 2020 season and should post big numbers batting second in a strong Chicago lineup.

Cron went 1-for-3 with a walk and a two-run home run in Sunday's win over the Reds.

Cron picked a good time for his second home run of the young season -- he went deep against Reds reliever Michael Lorenzen in the ninth inning, turning a 1-1 tie into a 3-1 lead for the Tigers. The 30-year-old looks comfortable in the middle of Detroit's lineup and could post a good number of home runs and RBI the rest of the way.

Voit went 1-for-4 with a solo home run Sunday against the Nationals.

Voit came through with a home run in the seventh inning to tie the game at 2-2. It was his first long ball as well as his first hit for the campaign. While a small sample, Voit has struck out in five of his first 11 plate appearances and will need to improve his contact rate to be relied upon as a producer this season.

Naylor is getting his first start of the season as the designated hitter Sunday against the Diamondbacks. He is batting ninth.

Naylor did not see any action in the first two games but will get the nod against righty Zac Gallen. The Padres faced southpaws in the first two games of the series, so Naylor may be the primary DH against righties.

Cooper is one of the Marlins' players who tested positive for COVID-19, freelance baseball writer Robert Murray reports.

Jose Urena was scratched from Sunday's start after also testing positive, and there is reportedly one additional starting position player who reported a positive test, per Jon Heyman of MLB Network. Cooper could be unavailable for multiple weeks as he waits to clear the league's coronavirus protocols.

Walker is not in the lineup for Sunday's game at San Diego.

The Diamondbacks have struggled offensively to begin the season with only three runs through the first two games, and Walker has accounted for two of those runs by going 3-for-8 with a double and two RBI. Jake Lamb will start at first base Sunday, while Kevin Cron serves as the designated hitter.