MLB Player News

McNeil (illness) will start at third base and bat leadoff in Sunday's Grapefruit League game against the Astros, Tim Healey of Newsday reports.

McNeil missed the past couple days of action while battling flu-like symptoms, but the Mets were apparently satisfied with his health when he reported to the ballpark Sunday. The 27-year-old saw action at several different spots in 2019, but he's expected to find a permanent home at third base this season for the Mets.

McNeil was sent back to his Port St. Lucie lodgings Friday after reporting flu-like symptoms, per Anthony Rieber of Newsday Sports.

McNeil did not play in Friday's game against Houston, and given that he had to be sent home from the team's facility, it seems possible that he could be out of the lineup for a few days. That said, at yet there's no reason to think the illness will put him at risk of missing Opening Day.

Wong was optioned to Triple-A Sacramento on Friday.

Wong was claimed off waivers from the Angels in November but won't open the season in the majors. That's hardly surprising, as he's played just seven major-league games thus far in his career.

Altuve (illness) is back in the lineup as expected Friday against the Mets, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.

Altuve had been out of action since Tuesday, though his illness evidently wasn't too serious. He'll have plenty of chances to make up for lost time with Opening Day still nearly three weeks away.

Rodgers (shoulder) said Thursday that he expects to see action in the field in a Cactus League game "within a week," Patrick Saunders of The Denver Post reports.

While it once seemed to be a foregone conclusion that Rodgers would open the season on the injured list as he continued his rehab from July shoulder surgery, the 23-year-old has made tremendous progress over the past couple months, keeping hope alive that he'll be ready to go for Opening Day. Per Saunders, Rodgers will make his spring debut Thursday as a designated hitter in the Rockies' split-squad game against the White Sox. He's expected to make a few more appearances as a DH before potentially drawing a start at second base or shortstop next week, which would represent the final hurdle he needs to clear to prove he's healthy. Since Rodgers still has minor-league options remaining, the Rockies may prefer to have him open the season at Triple-A Albuquerque so he can play on an everyday basis. In any case, he likely won't have to wait long before making his 2020 debut with the big club.

Turang recorded his first hit of the spring in Wednesday's exhibition game against the White Sox.

Turang is spending spring training with the big club for the second year in a row, and he has appeared in six games to date. It's almost certain he will be an option for the big club this season, but as one of the club's top prospects the Brewers are allowing him to get more comfortable in a major-league environment. Turang reached the High-A level last season for the first time but posted just a .615 OPS over 47 games, so it seems likely he will be assigned there to begin the 2020 campaign.

Urias (wrist) has another checkup with a hand surgeon Friday, and he could be cleared to hit live pitching and appear in Cactus League games as soon as next week, Adam McCalvy of MLB.com reports.

He took swings against the pitching machine for the first time Wednesday and is still aiming to be ready for Opening Day. Orlando Arcia is having a great start to spring training, so even if Urias is ready for the start of the season, he may not get everyday at-bats right out of the gate. Nonetheless, he seems to be making good progress in his recovery from left wrist surgery in late January.

Altuve (illness) returned to camp and is expected to play Friday, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.

Altuve, who was scratched and sent home Tuesday due to illness, worked out with teammates Wednesday. He's appeared in four spring games thus far, going 2-for-9 with a double and an RBI.

Rodgers (shoulder) said he will serve as a designated hitter in one of the Rockies' split-squad games Thursday, Thomas Harding of MLB.com reports.

Rodgers has made rapid progress in his recovery from July surgery to repair a torn labrum, as the Rockies were previously uncertain that the 23-year-old would be ready to play in games at any point in spring training. After he was able to gradually ratchet up the intensity of his workouts in the last few weeks, however, Rodgers looks like he'll be ready to make his Cactus League debut in a purely offensive role. The Rockies haven't indicated if Rodgers will be able to play the middle infield before the end of spring training, making it uncertain if he'll be included on the Opening Day roster.

Hoerner went 3-for-4 with a double and a run scored in Tuesday's Cactus League game against the Rockies.

Hoerner started at shortstop in this one, though his most likely path to regular MLB playing time in 2020 is at second base. The 22-year-old performed well in 20 games in the majors last season, slashing .282/.305/.436, and he could make a strong case for an everyday role in 2020 with a strong spring. However, a crowded middle infield that includes the likes of Javier Baez, David Bote, Jason Kipnis and Daniel Descalso could force Hoerner to Triple-A Iowa, at least initially.