MLB Player News

Groshans will be a part of the Blue Jays' 60-man roster.

Groshans started the 2019 campaign in the Midwest League with Low-A Lansing, where he hit .337/.427/.482 with two home runs and 13 RBI over 95 plate appearances before suffering a left foot injury in mid-May that ended his season. However, the 20-year-old is fully healthy heading into the 2020 campaign and will get a chance to develop with the team's 60-man roster once play resumes.

Astudillo was included in Minnesota's 60-man player pool ahead of summer camp before the 2020 season begins, MLB.com reports.

Astudillo was on the major-league roster bubble before spring training was shut down in March, as it wasn't clear the Twins would keep three catchers. However, he's very likely to make the initial major-league roster in the shortened 60-game season since the Twins will be able to initially keep 30 players in the majors. The uncertainty of the short season could lead the Twins to keep three catchers on the major-league roster all year, even when rosters are reduced to 26 players after four weeks.

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.

Jung was added to the Rangers' 60-man player pool Sunday.

Jung, who was drafted eighth-overall by the Rangers in 2019, is not yet on the 40-man roster and probably won't get a sniff playing time against major-league pitching in 2020. The 22-year-old third baseman appeared in 40 games at Low-A Hickory where he slashed .287/.363/.389 with one home run and 23 RBI for the Crawdads in 2019. The Rangers will continue their work, likely in the alternate training camp, to develop Jung's power stroke.

Rivera was added to the Rangers' 60-man player pool and is expected to be part of the team's 30-man active roster to start the season, Evan Grant of the Dallas Morning News reports.

Rivera was expected to be part of the player pool, but a more prominent spot on the roster became likely when the Rangers released Matt Duffy. Rivera, who is a truer shortstop than Duffy, spent parts of the last five seasons in the majors for the Brewers and Marlins. The Rangers have Isiah Kiner-Falefa on the depth chart behind starting shortstop Elvis Andrus, but if the club opts to use Kiner-Falefa as the starting third baseman with Todd Frazier sliding across the diamond to first, Rivera becomes the top depth option at short. He batted .183/.258/.217 in 34 games for Miami in 2019.

Reynolds will be a part of the Royals' 60-man player pool this season, Enrique Rojas of ESPN Deportes reports.

The 29-year-old journeyman was in camp as a non-roster invitee prior to the shutdown. He has a .223/.295/.340 slash line in 240 career MLB plate appearances.

Freeman will be a part of the Indians' 60-man player pool this season.

Freeman is one of the best prospects in Cleveland's system, and he projects to be an everyday middle infielder sometime in the next couple years. However, he played 62 games at High-A to close 2019, so he is not quite ready for significant run in the majors.

Duffy signed with the Yankees on Sunday and was added to the team's 60-man player pool.

Duffy logged 169 plate appearances with Tampa Bay last season, slashing .252/.343/.327 with a home run and 12 RBI. The utilityman should compete for a spot on the team's 30-man roster to open the 2020 campaign.

Walls is expected to be named to the Rays' 60-man roster pool, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Walls earned an invite to big-league camp but went 2-for-19 before the suspension of spring training. The 24-year-old spent most of 2019 at Double-A Montgomery and had an .825 OPS with six homers, 42 runs scored and 15 stolen bases in 55 games.