MLB Player News

Hernandez started at first base and batted leadoff in Tuesday's intrasquad game, Alanna Rizzo of Spectrum SportsNet LA reports.

Hernandez was a member of the team's secondary lineup, with catcher Will Smith being the only likely starter among the position players. Regardless, the 28-year-old is poised to work in a super-utility role again in 2020, though the implementation of the universal DH also figures to impact his role.

Marte belted a pair of home runs during Monday's intrasquad game, Steve Gilbert of MLB.com reports.

Marte tagged Merrill Kelly in the first inning, then got to him again later. "I'm not surprised by what he's doing," Arizona manager Torey Lovullo said. "He's locked in right now. It's what every hitter looks to get to." He hit well in spring training and has continued to rake in camp. Marte broke out in 2019, smacking 32 home runs with a .263 ISO.

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.

Hoerner has been working out some at shortstop, though he's still likely to see most of his playing time at second base this season, Jordan Bastian of MLB.com reports.

Hoerner figures to split time with Jason Kipnis and possibly David Bote at second, but the former also stands to operate as Javier Baez's primary backup at short. Chicago manager David Ross said Hoerner "looks great defensively" at both positions, and this gives the 23-year-old another path to regular playing time if anything were to happen to Baez this season.

Urias (illness) hit the injured list for undisclosed reasons Saturday, Adam McCalvy of MLB.com reports.

Teams have been hesitant to share details when similar transactions are coronavirus-related, but given that Urias was known to have tested positive for COVID-19 earlier in the month, it's quite likely that's the reason for this move. Urias was brought over in a trade with the Padres over the winter, presumably to compete for the shortstop job, but his absence could prevent him from being ready for game action by Opening Day.

Lux will participate in Sunday's intrasquad game, Ken Gurnick of MLB.com reports.

Lux missed the first few days of camp, but he's since cleared intake testing and has been back with his teammates for the last two days. He didn't jump straight into intrasquad action, but the fact that he'll play Sunday is certainly a good sign. Whether or not he'll be in game shape for Opening Day against the Giants just 11 days later remains to be seen.

Lux won't play in Friday's intrasquad matchup, Ken Gurnick of MLB.com reports.

Lux reported to camp Friday and was initially expected to play in the team's intrasquad game. However, manager Dave Roberts said that he'll have the 22-year-old participate in workouts for several days prior to joining game action. Despite his absence from Friday's lineup, he doesn't have any known injury or illness concerns preventing him from playing.

Lux (undisclosed) has reported to the Dodgers' camp and will play second base during Friday's intrasquad matchup, J.P. Hoornstra of the Los Angeles Daily News reports.

Lux was absent from camp for the first several days for an undisclosed reason, but his presence in the starting lineup Friday signals that he's cleared intake testing. Whether Lux's absence will impact his readiness for the start of the regular season remains to be seen. The Dodgers are scheduled to open the season against the Giants on July 23.