MLB Player News

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.

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.

Manager Brian Snitker said Thursday that it's still possible that Freeman (illness) could return by Opening Day, Mark Bowman of MLB.com reports.

Freeman tested positive for COVID-19 on July 4, and he was battling a fever. He's felt better in recent days but still hasn't cleared MLB protocol to return to the field. With Opening Day just eight days away, it seems to be a long shot that he'll be ready to go by the start of the season, but Snitker's update Thursday kept the possibility alive. The next several days will be crucial in determining his availability. If Freeman is unable to play by the start of the regular season, Adam Duvall could step in at first base.