MLB Player News

The Angels included Rendon (oblique) on their season-opening 30-man roster released Thursday.

Rendon will at least temporarily avoid the 10-day injured list while he battles a tight oblique, but manager Joe Maddon has already ruled out the high-priced third baseman for the Angels' Opening Day game Friday versus the Athletics. The Angels' training staff will likely monitor Rendon's condition on a day-to-day basis before determining when he might be fit to make his season and team debut. David Fletcher and Matt Thaiss are expected to serve as the primary options at the hot corner until Rendon is good to go.

Paredes will open the year at the Tigers' alternate training site.

This isn't a surprise, despite the fact Paredes is on the 40-man roster. He missed time in February with a sore right shoulder and then tested positive for COVID-19. Paredes only rejoined the team last weekend, so he is behind the rest of the position players from a reps standpoint. Manager Ron Gardenhire noted that the infielder needs to get back into baseball shape. It's possible that we will see him make his MLB debut later this summer, but it's much more likely that he doesn't debut until 2021.

Astudillo, who is on the Covid-19 IL, has not yet been cleared to return to the Twins and his return date is uncertain. "It's been a slow road for him and none of it is due to anything that (he) really has done himself," manager Rocco Baldelli told the St. Paul Pioneer Press.

Astudillo tested positive for COVID-19 before summer camp began and has been quarantined away from the team. He is said to be asymptomatic and feeling well. He'll begin the season on the COVID-19 IL and it may be several weeks before he's activated since he'll likely need a week or more to ramp up his activity once cleared.

Riley will start at third base in Friday's season opener against the Mets, Mark Bowman of MLB.com reports.

The departure of Josh Donaldson this offseason opened up the starting job, and Johan Camargo (hamstring) is limited by injury, leaving Riley as the clear starter for Opening Day. Manager Brian Snitker has consistently indicated both Riley and Camargo will receive starts at the hot corner, but a hot start likely would secure regular more consistent chances.

Rendon (oblique) won't play Opening Day against the Athletics on Friday, Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic reports.

Rendon's status heading into the start of the regular season has been uncertain while he's dealing with oblique tightness, but manager Joe Maddon confirmed Wednesday the prize offseason acquisition won't be ready for Opening Day. Maddon said that he could miss "a couple" of games but is still uncertain about a potential trip to the injured list. David Fletcher and Matt Thaiss could see increased roles in Rendon's absence.

Manager Joe Maddon said Rendon (oblique) will sit out Wednesday's exhibition finale against the Padres, Rhett Bollinger of MLB.com reports.

Maddon termed Rendon as day-to-day while the third baseman continues to deal with oblique tightness, leaving his availability up in the air for Friday's season opener against the Athletics. If Rendon is on the bench for Opening Day or is forced to the injured list as a result of the oblique issue, David Fletcher and Matt Thaiss would be the next men up for reps at the hot corner.

Hayes was sent to the Pirates' alternate training camp in Altoona on Wednesday, Jason Mackey of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.

Hayes wasn't able to join his teammates until Monday after previously testing positive for COVID-19, so it makes sense that he won't be ready for game action just yet. He wasn't necessarily ever all that likely to be on the Pirates' Opening Day roster, as he's yet to make his major-league debut. However, he played a full season for Triple-A Indianapolis last year and hit a sold .265/.336/.415, so he should be called upon at some point this year.

Moncada had no ill effects Tuesday after playing five innings during an exhibition game against the Cubs on Monday, Scott Merkin of MLB.com reports.

Moncada, who arrived at summer camp last Thursday after testing positive for COVID-19, has been working hard to get himself ready to play Opening Day. He responded well during Tuesday's workout and could bat second and play third base when the White Sox kick off the regular season at home against the Twins on Friday. The White Sox have yet to officially activate him from the COVID-19 injured list, but that merely looks to be a formality at this point.

Vargas got a start at first base late in summer camp, Nick Piecoro of the Arizona Republic reports.

Vargas displayed a big bat during summer camp and the exhibition games in Los Angeles, which has manager Torey Lovullo thinking creatively about how to get him in the lineup. The switch-hitting utility infielder has a career .968 OPS against left-handers, which Lovullo might be able to exploit. Vargas came up as a middle infielder and played third base, but he's blocked at those spots. That leaves first base -- already the domain of Christian Walker (groin) -- and designated hitter.

Duffy was reassigned to the Yankees' alternate training site Tuesday.

Duffy was in contention for a major-league roster spot with DJ LeMahieu's (illness) status in question, but Duffy will head to alternate camp as LeMahieu looks to be on track to return soon. The 29-year-old could be in consideration for a spot on the 30-man roster if injuries pile up in the infield this season.