MLB Player News

LeMahieu (illness) has not ruled out the possibility of playing on Opening Day but admits that such a scenario may not be realistic, Meredith Marakovits of YES Network reports.

LeMahieu rejoined the Yankees on Friday after an extended absence due to testing positive for COVID-19, but it is unclear whether he'll have enough time to be game-ready by Opening Day. The 32-year-old indicated that he believes he'll be able to play "pretty soon thereafter" if he misses the Yankees' first game, so his return looks to be imminent. If LeMahieu does need to sit out at the start of the season, look for Tyler Wade or Thairo Estrada to fill his spot in the starting lineup.

White Sox manager Rick Renteria said Saturday that Moncada could make an appearance in one of three exhibition games scheduled this week, Daryl Van Schouwen of the Chicago Sun-Times reports.

Moncada joined Chicago's camp Friday after testing negative for COVID-19 but has only performed strength and conditioning exercises with coaches. An appearance in Sunday night's exhibition against the Cubs may be a stretch, but Renteria said Moncada is moving well and could appear in Monday's second exhibition against the Cubs or Wednesday's against the Brewers.

Manager Joe Maddon said Rendon (oblique) is considered day-to-day, Jeff Fletcher of The Orange County Register reports.

The veteran third baseman was scratched from Friday's intrasquad action with oblique tightness, and the team is remaining cautious only a day later. Rendon has no official timeline for his return, though Maddon indicated he could still be ready for Friday's season opener at Oakland.

Urshela (undisclosed) isn't seriously injured and is expected to play in Saturday's exhibition game against the Mets, Joel Sherman of the New York Post reports.

Urshela walked off the practice field with a team trainer, but the Yankees evidently aren't concerned with the issue. Assuming he is indeed healthy, he's expected to be the team's primary third baseman this season.

Urshela left the Yankees' workout Saturday with an undisclosed injury, Brendan Kuty of The Newark Star-Ledger reports.

Urshela lay down in foul territory before walking off the field with a team trainer. It's not clear exactly what ailed him, though the team should provide an update following further tests. Urshela is lined up to start at the hot corner this season, with Miguel Andujar likely to see an expanded role should he be unable to play.

Rendon was scratched from Friday's intrasquad matchup with oblique tightness.

Rendon was healthy over the start of camp while preparing for his first season in Los Angeles, but he's now considered day-to-day. The team should gain a better idea over the coming days as to whether the injury will impact Rendon's availability for Opening Day on July 24.

LeMahieu (illness) was on the field at the Yankees' facility Friday, Kristie Ackert of the New York Daily News reports.

It was reported earlier this week the veteran infielder was expected to rejoin the Yankees soon, and it appears he's now cleared MLB's COVID-19 protocols. LeMahieu tested positive for the virus in early July but was reportedly asymptomatic, and he'll now have less than a week to build up for Thursday's season opener against the Nationals. The 32-year-old's workout progress the next couple days figures to play a prominent role in determining his availability for Opening Day.

Paredes (undisclosed) was cleared to join his teammates Friday.

Paredes had been on the 10-day injured list for unspecified reasons. He'll be part of the Tigers' player pool this season but isn't a strong candidate for big-league at-bats, as he's yet to reach Triple-A.

Moncada told reporters that he had tested positive for COVID-19, Scot Gregor of the Daily Herald reports.

Moncada said he was largely asymptomatic as he returned to the White Sox on Thursday. He did not participate in the intrasquad game but did take batting and infield practice. The third baseman also executed strength and conditioning activity. Moncada has not played an organized baseball game in over four months, so it's unclear what type of shape he'll be in when the White Sox open the regular season next Friday.

Moncada (undisclosed) reported to camp Thursday, Scott Merkin of MLB.com reports.

Moncada has been cleared to join the White Sox for workouts after missing the start of camp for undisclosed reasons. It's unclear how prepared for the season the 25-year-old is at this point -- especially after he described his hitting activity at home in Miami during the shutdown as "limited" -- but he'll have a full week to try and get ready for game action.