MLB Player News

Polanco hit a home run in Tuesday's scrimmage, the Minneapolis Star Tribune reports.

Polanco started spring training slowly after he required surgery on his right ankle in the offseason, but was able to play in spring training games before the shutdown. He looks ready for the start of the 60-game regular season from his play in summer camp. The ankle issue never forced Polanco to miss any action in 2019, as he suited up for a career-high 153 games and slashed an impressive .295/.356/.485 en route to earning his first All-Star nod.

Kemp remains slated to form a platoon at second base with Franklin Barreto this coming season, with the plan remaining unchanged over the three-month-plus shutdown, Shayna Rubin of The Mercury News reports.

The left-handed hitting Kemp thus remains in line to draw some starts against right-handed pitchers, although it's also worth noting he's been serviceable (.257 average across 123 plate appearances) in same-handed matchups across the last two seasons. Kemp comes nowhere close to matching Barreto's significant power potential, but he's proven a markedly better contact hitter over his professional career and should still see a fair share of playing time.

Barreto has already hit home runs off Frankie Montas and Liam Hendriks early in summer camp, providing a glimpse of what the coaching staff sees as his extensive upside as a hitter, Shayna Rubin of The Mercury News reports. "He needs to get consistent at-bats because we know what he can do," A's assistant hitting coach Eric Martins said. "I can see him in the lineup because he's as dangerous as anyone we got. He understands it's his time, he has an opportunity."

Manager Bob Melvin also heaped praise on his second baseman, saying that Barreto has "looked the best so far at this point at the plate." Nevertheless, the slugging infielder is still slated to platoon with Tony Kemp at the keystone, but his significant power -- he clocked 107-mph and 110-mph exit velocities on a home run and double, respectively, in two of his seven hits last season -- could allow him to make excellent use of his part-time role from a fantasy perspective. However, the 24-year-old will need to solve his contact issues to maximize his opportunities, considering he's posted a mammoth 40.7 percent strikeout rate over his first 209 big-league plate appearances across his first three stints with the Athletics.

Castro is 7-for-11 with three doubles, three runs scored and four RBI in intrasquad action, Evan Woodbery of MLive.com reports.

Castro turned some heads by batting .291 in 97 games for the Tigers last season, and the 26-year-old is out to prove that that performance was no fluke. Castro can play all over the field for the Tigers, and his versatility and ability to make solid contact should afford him plenty of playing time, even if he's not a regular at any one position.

Rengifo was placed on the 10-day injured list for an undisclosed reason Tuesday, Andersen Pickard of MLBDailyDish.com reports.

Rengifo was one of four Angels placed on the 10-day injured list Tuesday, although the team didn't provide a reason for why they will be sidelined. It's unclear when the 23-year-old could be able to return to the field, but Rengifo was expected to compete for a depth role on the major-league roster during camp.

Elmore signed a minor-league contract with Cleveland on Friday and will join the team's 60-man player pool.

Elmore was released by the Pirates in mid-June but didn't have to wait long before finding a new deal. The 33-year-old is unlikely to play a significant role in Cleveland this season, as he owns a career .215/.292/.275 slash line in 217 major-league games.

Castro figures to work in a utility role for the Tigers this year and his versatility could be particularly helpful during the condensed season, Cody Stavenhagen of The Athletic reports.

Before play was suspended, Castro was already looking at a utility role, but Stavenhagen notes that such a role could be especially valuable in a year that could feature some unique lineups as teams cram in 60 games. Castro posted a solid .291/.305/.384 slash line in 2019, and if he can parlay his success into more playing time, he could be a sneaky fantasy contributor in 2020.

The Blue Jays placed Drury on the 10-day injured list Wednesday due to an unspecified issue.

Drury was one of four Blue Jays placed on the IL, with no explanation given for any of the transactions. The move is retroactive to June 30, so if deemed healthy, Drury would be eligible to return from the IL before the Blue Jays begin their season July 23 or 24. Drury is expected to serve as a utility man for Toronto in 2020 after batting .218 with 15 home runs and 41 RBI over 447 plate appearances last season.

Mayfield was added to the Astros' 60-man player pool Sunday.

Mayfield can play second base and shortstop, but the Astros are entrenched in the middle with Jose Altuve and Carlos Correa. Additionally, Aldemys Diaz is a multi-positional infielder who is the primary backup in the middle. Mayfield made his MLB debut in 2019 and looked overmatched at the plate, batting .156/.169/.328 over 65 plate appearances.

Wall will be a part of the Blue Jays' 60-man roster.

Wall advanced to Triple-A in 2019 and was able to work as a non-roster invitee this spring before play was suspended. The 24-year-old went 7-for-23 with five runs, three RBI and three stolen bases during spring training, and he could compete for a reserve role with the major-league club while he's with the 60-man player pool.