MLB Player News

Muncy (finger) is confident in his availability for Opening Day, Ken Gurnick of MLB.com reports.

Muncy is still feeling pain after suffering a bruised left ring finger during an intrasquad matchup Tuesday, but he expressed confidence Wednesday that he'll be ready for the start of the regular season. The 29-year-old still hasn't attempted gripping a bat, but he said that he'd likely be playing through the injury if the season had begun. However, he's electing to take his recovery slowly during camp as a precautionary measure. The Dodgers are scheduled to open the season July 23 against the Giants.

Kieboom drew praise from manager Dave Martinez for his defensive work Tuesday, Jessica Camerato of MLB.com reports. "He looks really good. He really does," Martinez said. "I could tell that he took these last three months and really got some work done. His feet are working really well over there."

The 22-year-old was primarily a shortstop in the minors, but Kieboom's been handed the enormous task of replacing Anthony Rendon at third base this season, so his ability to make the necessary defensive adjustments is crucial. If he struggles, either in the field or at the plate, the Nats do have veteran alternatives such as Asdrubal Cabrera who can step in for Kieboom, however.

Muncy is considered day-to-day after getting hit by a ball on his left ring finger, Eric Stephen of TrueBlueLA.com reports.

It doesn't sound as though Muncy is dealing with a serious issue such a fracture, so his readiness for Opening Day doesn't appear to be significantly threatened. Still, any lost preparation time given the brief period that players have to get in game shape certainly isn't a good thing, with the Dodgers set to open play against the Giants in just over two weeks on July 23.

Braves manager Brian Snitker mentioned Riley, Adam Duvall and Johan Camargo as possible first-base options in the event Freddie Freeman (illness) isn't available for the start of the season, Gabe Burns of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports.

Freeman has reportedly experienced some serious side effects since testing positive for COVID-19 a few days earlier and may not be back to full strength for the Braves' Opening Day game July 23 and 24, prompting Snitker to explore potential replacement options in summer camp. The implementation of the universal designated hitter already looked like it would give Riley a clear path to an everyday role, and Freeman's potential absence may only further solidify the 23-year-old's spot in the lineup. After an up-and-down rookie season, Riley was one of the Braves' top performers in spring training, slashing .357/.438/.643 while striking out in only five of his 28 at-bats.

Kieboom will be the Nationals' starting third baseman to open the season, Todd Dybas of NBC Sports Washington reports.

The 22-year-old failed to impress in a brief, 11-game stint at the big-league level last season, hitting .128/.209/.282 with a 37.2 percent strikeout rate. He's evidently going to be handed an everyday role for the defending champions despite the fact that he's yet to establish himself, though the Nationals do have Asdrubal Cabrera available to take the job from him should he stumble early.

Hayes is not expected to serve as the team's Opening Day starter at third base, DK Pittsburgh Sports reports.

Manager Derek Shelton said that he "doesn't think it's (the third base job) an open competition." Pittsburgh maintains six years of control with Hayes if it keeps him off the major-league roster for six days during the regular season. Colin Moran will likely get most of the hot corner starts during the first week of the season, but Hayes could see time thereafter.

Senzel (shoulder) is 100 percent healthy, Bobby Nightengale of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

Senzel underwent shoulder surgery back in September. His health is hardly a surprise, as he'd been able to appear as a designated hitter before spring training play was paused and wasn't expected to miss much if any time even if the season wasn't delayed. The Reds' outfield got more crowded over the offseason with the additions of Shogo Akiyama and Nick Castellanos, though the universal designated hitter should create enough extra at-bats to keep Senzel in the lineup for most games, as he appears to be the team's top option in center field.

Vargas is expected to be carried on the active roster to start the season, Steve Gilbert of MLB.com reports.

Vargas was having a strong spring before the coronavirus pandemic prompted MLB to hit the pause button on the 2020 season. With a plan in place to play 60 games beginning in late July that includes an expanded active roster of 30 players, there should be room to Vargas and others that were competing for the final couple of spots on what was then a 26-man roster. Vargas along with Josh Rojas and Jon Jay should open the season on the active roster. Eventually, the roster limit drops to 28 then 26, so there will be some cuts during the first month of the season. A player like Vargas, who can play multiple positions, is in a good position to hang on to a spot.

Sosa has been included in the player pool that will report to Cardinals summer camp July 1, Anne Rogers of MLB.com reports.

The versatile utility asset's inclusion was to be expected, especially considering he proved capable as a hitter at the Triple-A level last season (.291/.335/.466 over 496 plate appearances) and is already on the 40-man roster. Assuming he makes the cut for Opening Day, Sosa could be utilized in a variety of positions in the truncated 2020 regular season.

The Pirates named Hayes to their 60-man player pool Sunday, Adam Berry of MLB.com reports.

The third baseman has yet to make his MLB debut, but his inclusion in the player pool suggests he should assume an everyday role at some point in 2020. Veteran Colin Moran may start at third base at the beginning of the season, but it wouldn't be surprising to see Hayes take over, especially if the Pirates quickly fall out of contention. The 23-year-old slashed .265/.336/.415 with 10 homers and 12 stolen bases at Triple-A in 2019 and has since re-worked his swing for more power.