MLB Player News

Manager Derek Shelton said Sunday that Hayes has tested positive for COVID-19, Jason Mackey of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.

Hayes had been absent from camp over the past several days for an undisclosed reason, and Shelton was able to reveal the positive test Sunday. It's unclear whether Hayes is experiencing symptoms, but he'll need to produce two negative tests before MLB protocol allows him to rejoin the team. With Opening Day scheduled for Friday, it's unclear how much of the regular season the 23-year-old will miss as a result of the illness.

McMahon is expected to be the starter at second base this season, but he will also see some time at first base, Thomas Harding of MLB.com reports.

Manager Bud Black said in February he expected the 25-year-old to play 150-plus games this season, and though that's now impossible due to the shortened season, his relative outlook remains similar. Daniel Murphy is expected to be the primary starter at first base, but McMahon will likely start there when the veteran slugger serves as the designated hitter. Garrett Hampson, Brendan Rodgers and Chris Owings figure to split time at the keystone in that alignment.

The Reds have been impressed with Farmer's defense at shortstop in team workouts and scrimmages, Mark Sheldon of MLB.com reports.

Farmer is making a case to be Freddy Galvis's backup, as the Reds still don't have a true shortstop behind him. "He's a unique athlete in that he can play the two most important positions, demanding from an athletic standpoint and skill standpoint," manager David Bell said. "Not many people fall into that category. We knew that, but I don't think I gave it enough thought to truly see how good he was at that position. He made great points, and it opened my eyes. He's showed it in this camp. He can really play there. He knew that, and maybe other people knew that."

Manager Dave Martinez said after Saturday's exhibition game that both Kieboom and Asdrubal Cabrera will play third base this season, Jesse Dougherty of The Washington Post reports.

The skipper was then asked a follow-up question regarding Kieboom being the starter, but he reiterated that both players will see time at the hot corner. Martinez said early in summer training that Kieboom was expected to be the everyday starter at third base this season, but it was Cabrera who received the start for the first exhibition contest. Kieboom made his major-league debut last season and struggled in 11 games with a .128/.209/.282 slash line and 16 strikeouts in 43 plate appearances, and it appears he's ticketed for some form of matchup-based platoon to begin 2020.

Longoria (oblique) took grounders during practice Friday, Amy Gutierrez of NBC Sports Bay Area reports.

Longoria injured his right oblique while swinging earlier in the week, but he was able to do some infield work Friday. He experienced some discomfort when reaching to his right, but the 34-year-old is reportedly still on track to start Opening Day, which is scheduled for Thursday against the Dodgers.

Moustakas (groin) is starting at second base and batting third in Friday's intrasquad game.

The veteran infielder missed the past two days of intrasquad action due to some groin tightness, but his quick return to the field indicates it was a minor concern. Moustakas had an .845 OPS and 35 home runs for the Brewers last season, and he's set to start at the keystone for the Reds after signing a four-year, $64 million deal in December.

Longoria has a moderate right oblique strain, Kerry Crowley of The San Jose Mercury Newsreports.

The veteran third baseman injured his right oblique while swinging. Manager Gabe Kapler isn't certain Longoria or Brandon Belt (heel) will be ready for Opening Day. Pablo Sandoval and Wilmer Flores will likely see an uptick in playing time if either slugger is unable to play during the beginning of the season. Longoria had a rough spring, going just 5-for-25, and is coming off a .254/.325/.437 showing with 69 RBI across 508 plate appearances in 2019.

Moustakas missed Wednesday's intrasquad scrimmage due to a tight groin, Mark Sheldon of MLB.com reports.

Moustakas is also expected to sit out Thursday, though the injury isn't considered serious and he likely would have played if it were the regular season. Assuming he's healthy, Moustakas is expected to serve as Cincinnati's primary second baseman during the shortened campaign.

Muncy (finger) is expected to play the field in an intrasquad game Thursday or Friday, Alanna Rizzo of Spectrum SportsNet LA reports.

The 29-year-old had two at-bats during Tuesday's intrasquad action, but he was pulled for a pinch runner after reaching base both times and didn't play defense. Muncy progressed to fielding groundballs in the past couple days after previously dealing with discomfort while catching the ball. Manager Dave Roberts has continually said he expects Muncy to be at first base come Opening Day despite the finger issue, and his presence in intrasquad action this week would only reaffirm that optimism.

Muncy (finger) had two at-bats in Tuesday's intrasquad game, Bill Plunkett of The Orange County Register reports.

The 29-year-old came off the bench and went 2-for-2 during the same inning, and he was replaced by a pinch runner after both hits. Muncy resumed swinging a bat Monday and apparently has no issues at the plate, but he's experiencing some discomfort while catching the ball and hasn't been taking groundballs. Manager Dave Roberts still expects Muncy to be at first base on Opening Day, per Alanna Rizzo of Spectrum SportsNet LA, but until he's clear of the discomfort while catching his status will remain somewhat up in the air.