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.

Guerrero will primarily play first base and designated hitter this season, Ben Nicholson-Smith of Sportsnet.ca reports.

Guerrero was widely expected to move to first base eventually, though it wasn't clear that he'd move so soon. He'll still be considered a possibility at the hot corner, but his defense graded out very poorly there according to both DRS and UZR, so the move is hardly a surprise. He should pick up the additional eligibility early in the season, though he'll likely lose third-base eligibility for 2022, which could affect owners in dynasty formats. Travis Shaw is expected to be Toronto's primary third baseman this season.

Vaughn worked out extensively at third base Wednesday, Scott Merkin of MLB.com reports.

Vaughn, the White Sox's first-round pick (third overall) in 2020, is viewed as the first baseman of the future, but the White Sox feel he can handle the additional position. "There are several of us that believe he's capable of moving around. He's got really good feet, his exchange is very good, got a very good arm. He has all the makings of being able to play that position," said manager Rick Renteria. With Yoan Moncada (undisclosed) not working out with the team, there are available reps at third base for Vaughn, although he is not expected to open the season on the 30-man game roster.

Mountcastle was added to the Orioles' 60-man roster Wednesday, Roch Kubatko of MASNSports.com reports.

Mountcastle was expected to join the Orioles' player pool, but he was officially able to join the team for workouts Wednesday along with teammate Mason Williams after they cleared intake testing. Mountcastle will work with the major-league club before a secondary training site is opened for the team. The 23-year-old advanced to Triple-A Norfolk last season, where he hit .312/.344/.527 with 25 home runs and 83 RBI, and he could potentially make his debut in the majors at some point in 2020.

Mountcastle is expected to be added to the Orioles' 60-man player pool before the start of the season, Dan Connolly of The Athletic reports.

Connolly notes that Mountcastle won't be promoted to the majors until the team has manipulated his service time (at least seven days at the satellite camp) to gain an extra year of control, and it is not even a given that he will be up at that point. However, it is still the expectation that Mountcastle will make his debut at some point this season. He hit .235/.235/.412 with one home run and a 9:0 K:BB in 34 plate appearances this spring and is limited to left field, first base and designated hitter.

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.

O'Hearn tested positive for coronavirus Tuesday, Andersen Pickard of MLBDailyDish.com reports.

O'Hearn is reportedly asymptomatic, but he'll nevertheless have to isolate until he tests negative twice. If he remains asymptomatic, he'll at least be able to stay in shape while quarantined, but the loss of practice time could still keep him from being ready to play on Opening Day, which is less than three weeks away.

Lowe has put in work at third base in summer camp thus far, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Manager Kevin Cash still envisions primarily deploying Lowe at first base when he's on the field, but he's also interested in finding ways to insert the promising 25-year-old in the lineup more frequently. Lowe put in a total of nine games at third base between Triple-A Durham and the Rays last season, compared to a combined 93 at first. Cash commented Monday that Lowe has looked serviceable at the hot corner thus far but still "needs more work."

Red Sox manager Ron Roenicke said Tuesday that Dalbec tested positive for COVID-19, Bill Koch of The Providence Journal reports.

Dalbec didn't report to summer camp while awaiting the results of his intake testing, which have now been made available. Roenicke notes that Dalbec is currently asymptomatic, but he'll still need to self-isolate at home and receive two negative test results before being cleared to join the Red Sox. The slugging third baseman has yet to make his MLB debut and isn't expected to make a major impact for the big club in 2020 unless the team's corner-infield depth is tested.