MLB Player News

Toro cleared the health and safety protocols and rejoined his teammates Tuesday, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.

It's already been announced that Toro didn't make the Astros' Opening Day roster, though that decision was apparently unrelated to his temporary quarantine. The Astros want Toro to get regular at-bats at the alternate site rather than being stuck on the bench in the big leagues. Robel Garcia and Aledmys Diaz will be the team's utility options to start the season.

Donaldson enters Tuesday's spring finale against the Pirates with a .281/.303/.500 slash line across 32 at-bats in Grapefruit League play.

In what looks to be a preview of the Twins' lineup for Thursday's regular-season opener in Milwaukee, Donaldson is starting at third base and batting second Tuesday. The 35-year-old regularly batted out of the two hole during an injury-shortened 2020 campaign, making 24 of his 25 starts out of that spot in the lineup. Donaldson has shown no ill effects from the calf injury that troubled him in 2020, so he should be poised to deliver better results as he prepares for his second season in Minnesota.

Astudillo hit his fourth home run in Monday's spring training game and has won a spot on Minnesota's 26-man roster for Opening Day.

Known for his contact abilities, Astudillo has shown plenty of pop this spring, hitting .385 with a 1.235 OPS. He'll work in a utility role for the Twins, serving as a third catcher as well as seeing time at third base, second base and left field. The 29-year-old could have value in deeper leagues since his bat should be above average for a catcher.

Astros manager Dusty Baker confirmed Monday that Toro (COVID-19 health and safety protocols) won't be included on the Opening Day roster, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.

Though Toro remains away from the team as he completes a quarantine period due to contact-tracing concerns, that likely didn't play a factor in his omission from the Opening Day roster. Instead, the Astros likely determined that the 24-year-old third baseman would be best off playing regularly at minor-league camp, rather than serving as a lightly-used backup to Alex Bregman. Toro's demotion leaves Aledmys Diaz (hamstring) and Robel Garcia as the utility men on Houston's Opening Day roster.

Manager Derek Shelton said Monday that Newman will head into Opening Day as the Pirates' regular shortstop, Kevin Gorman of TribLive.com reports.

After taking a big step back at the plate during the abbreviated 2020 campaign, Newman entered the spring having to battle with the likes of Erik Gonzalez and Cole Tucker for an everyday role in the middle infield. Newman was able to easily separate himself from the competition, recording a whopping 20 hits in 29 at-bats (.690 average) while going 2-for-3 on stolen-base attempts through his first 12 Grapefruit League games. While this level of production is obviously unsustainable, Newman's bat-to-ball skills and willingness to run should at least make him a decent late-round target for fantasy managers looking for a boost in batting average and steals. He's just two years removed from a season in which he hit .308 with 16 stolen bases over 130 games.

Escobar (illness) will bat third and play third base Monday against the Cubs, Steve Gilbert of MLB.com reports.

Escobar missed Sunday's game against the White Sox with a non-COVID illness, but it was evidently a minor one. A one-day absence shouldn't have any impact on his readiness for Opening Day.

Senzel (groin) will bat sixth and play center field Monday against the Mariners.

Senzel had been dealing with a mild groin strain for the past few days, but his readiness for Opening Day wasn't thought to be at risk. He's set to be the Reds' everyday center fielder this season and will face minimal competition to start the year, as Shogo Akiyama (hamstring) will miss the beginning of the season.

Escobar was scratched from Sunday's Cactus League lineup with a non-COVID illness, Zach Buchanan of The Athletic reports.

The 32-year-old was set to start at third base and bat third, but he'll instead take it easy Sunday. The specifics of the illness remain unclear, but it shouldn't affect Escobar's availability for Opening Day.

Senzel (groin) was able to complete a live batting practice session Sunday, Bobby Nightengale of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

Senzel has been out of the Cactus League lineup since Thursday while managing a left groin strain, but if all goes well Sunday, the Reds believe he'll be ready to start in their spring finale Monday against the Mariners. The 25-year-old is projected to begin the season as Cincinnati's everyday center fielder and leadoff man.

Vargas was designated for assignment by the Cubs on Sunday, Sahadev Sharma of The Athletic reports.

Vargas was vying for a bench role with the Cubs, but non-roster invitees Matt Duffy and Eric Sogard both earned roster spots Sunday, pushing Vargas out of the mix. The 29-year-old infielder now may end up with a new team or join the Chicago minor-league system, likely at Triple-A Iowa.