MLB Player News

Devers made a late appearance in Thursday's intrasquad game, Ian Browne of MLB.com reports.

Devers awaited the results of a fourth COVID-19 test in the past few days before he was allowed to participate. He's been tested so frequently because the Red Sox believe he was exposed to someone with the virus. "I feel healthy," Devers said. "It was tough at first, not knowing if potentially I had it, but luckily I had those negative tests that were taken and also just focused on working hard." The 23-year-old third baseman had a breakout 2019 season, when he hit 32 home runs and drove in 115 runs over 156 games.

Manager Derek Shelton gave no reason as to Hayes's absence from summer camp, DK Pittsburgh Sports reports.

Shelton previously had said all the players they expected to be in Pittsburgh had reported, which would include Hayes. A week ago the manager also said that Colin Moran would serve as the team's starting third baseman early in the season. Unless Hayes returns to the fold soon, he's likely looking at starting the year in alternative spring training in Altoona.

Hayes has not yet participated in preseason camp, Rob Biertempfel of The Athletic reports.

Since Pittsburgh maintains six years of control with Hayes if it keeps him off the major-league roster for six days during the regular season, it remains doubtful that the 23-year-old becomes the Pirates starting third baseman early on in his 2020 campaign. Hayes is coming off a productive season with Triple-A Indianapolis in which he hit .265/.336/.415 with 10 home runs and 53 RBI across 480 plate appearances. Colin Moran is likely to serve as the Pirates primary third base option to open the season, but Hayes could see time thereafter.

Bregman reported to Houston's summer camp Thursday, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.

As expected, Bregman has officially joined the Astros for workouts after a delay in the processing of his COVID-19 results kept him from reporting to camp earlier in the week.

Devers has rejoined the Red Sox at the main summer camp at Fenway Park on Wednesday after spending a couple of days training at Boston College, Ian Browne of MLB.com reports.

Red Sox manager Ron Roenicke explained the club was being careful with some players, including Devers, that were possibly exposed to individuals with the coronavirus. "This group has tested negative three times. We will continue to test them, just because we're being overly cautious. That's kind of why we've separated some of the guys from the later workouts," said Roenicke. The Red Sox took the necessary precautions to keep Devers safe while training at BC.

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.

Bregman missed Wednesday's workout due to a delay in the processing of his COVID-19 test results, Chandler Rome of the Houston Chronicle reports.

Bregman is reportedly "fine" according to Rome, though the test result is "required" before he can join the Astros for workouts. So long as Bregman's test comes back negative, he should be back with the team sometime later in the week.

The Yankees placed LeMahieu (illness) on the 10-day injured list Tuesday.

Pitcher Luis Cessa (illness) was also moved to the IL after both players were revealed last weekend to have tested positive for COVID-19. LeMahieu is said to be asymptomatic, but he'll still need to submit two negative test results before being able to rejoin the Yankees for summer-camp workouts.

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.