MLB Player News

Urias (illness) has been cleared to work out at the Brewers' alternate training site, Adam McCalvy of MLB.com reports.

Urias missed the entirety of summer camp after testing positive for COVID-19, but he'll now be able to work toward building up to game readiness. Manager Craig Counsell said Saturday that Urias is a "full go" but also said that it will still take some time before he's ready to return to regular-season action. After being acquired by the Padres via trade in November, Urias should compete with Brock Holt for the top utility infield job when he's healthy.

Hoerner isn't in the lineup for Saturday's game against the Brewers.

Hoerner got the Opening Day start Friday against righty Brandon Woodruff, but he'll sit in favor of Jason Kipnis for the team's second game. Hoerner went 1-for-3 with one run in the season opener. Kipnis will bat eighth and play second base Saturday.

Hoerner will bat eighth and play second base in Friday's season opener against the Brewers.

Hoerner is the second baseman of the future for the Cubs, and it appears that future begins now. He was pressed into duty earlier than expected last year due to a September injury crisis and held his own, hitting .282/.305/.436 with three homers in 20 games. It's perhaps significant that he'll be starting over the left-handed Jason Kipnis even with righty Brandon Woodruff on the mound for Milwaukee, as the pair was expected to platoon, though it may take a few games until the playing-time split at the keystone becomes clear.

Rojas made the active roster despite going hitless in summer camp, Nick Piecoro of the Arizona Republic reports.

Rojas' versatility won out over his struggles at the plate during camp, when he went 0-for-27 with four walks. He was marginally better in spring training, going 5-for-34. Rojas, who batted .217 in 138 at-bats for the Diamondbacks last season, plays the infield base positions and corner outfield spots.

Hernandez went 4-for-5 with a solo home run, five RBI and two runs scored during Thursday's win against the Giants.

Hernandez got the Dodgers on the board with an RBI single in the fourth inning off Johnny Cueto. He later extended the Dodgers' lead with a two-run single off Tyler Rogers in the seventh before smacking his first homer of the season with a solo shot off Conner Menez. The 28-year-old, who hit 17 long balls across 130 games last year, was named the starting second baseman for Opening Day following the demotion of Gavin Lux this week and is expected to share duties with Chris Taylor.

Manager Dave Roberts said in an appearance Thursday on the "Off Air with Joe and Orel" podcast that Hernandez will start at second base in the Dodgers' Opening Day game against the Giants, Eric Stephen of TrueBlueLA.com reports.

Following the surprise demotion of Gavin Lux earlier this week, the Dodgers' plans for the everyday second base job aren't fully known, but Hernandez looks poised to get the first chance to handle the keystone. Chris Taylor should get opportunities at second base, too, but since both he and Hernandez are right-handed hitters, a pure platoon arrangement won't be an option.

Wong was designated for assignment by the Giants on Thursday, Maria I. Guardado of MLB.com reports.

The Giants scooped Wong off waivers in November, though the infielder was never expected to open the season with the big club. He should report to the team's alternative came site if he passes through waivers untouched.

The Mets named Gimenez to their Opening Day roster Thursday. Tim Healey of Newsday reports.

In a surprise move, the 21-year-old will bypass the Triple-A level entirely and open the 60-game season with the big club as a reserve infielder. Expect Gimenez to serve as the top backup at shortstop and second base behind Amed Rosario and Robinson Cano, a role that may only translate to a couple starts per week. Gimenez may provide most of his impact as a late-inning defensive replacement or as a pinch runner, given his above-average speed.

Rodgers was optioned to the Rockies' alternate training site Wednesday.

Rodgers was expected to make the Rockies' major-league roster to begin the season, but he'll instead head to alternate camp ahead of Opening Day on Friday. The 23-year-old completed his rehab from the shoulder surgery that he underwent last June and should be the Rockies' top option to fill in if middle infield help is needed. The highly rated prospect's major-league debut last year didn't go as planned, as he hit .224/.272/.250 with seven RBI and 27 strikeouts over 25 games before his season was cut short with a torn labrum.

Chicago manager David Ross said Hoerner could be an option to play in center field this season if a need arises, Jordan Bastian of MLB.com reports.

Albert Almora, Ian Happ and Jason Heyward are the most likely candidates for playing time in center, but Ross acknowledged that the team will need "to be prepared for anything this season." Hoerner saw a little action in center with Double-A Tennessee last season, though he did primarily play in the infield both for the Smokies and the Cubs. He's expected to split second base duties with Jason Kipnis in Chicago this season.