MLB Player News

Manager Gabe Kapler said Tuesday he isn't "100 percent sure" Belt (heel) will be ready for Opening Day, Maria I. Guardado of MLB.com reports.

The veteran first baseman was out of his walking boot Tuesday and took some swings in the batting cage, but his status for the season opener next week remains up in the air. The exhibition contests against the A's next Monday and Tuesday could end up being Belt's final chances to prove his game readiness if he can't return to intrasquad action this week.

Turner is starting at third base and batting third during Tuesday's intrasquad game, Alanna Rizzo of Spectrum SportsNet LA reports.

The 35-year-old hit out of the three spot in 87 of his 122 starts last season, and he appears set to work there again in 2020. Turner remains the clear starter at third base for the Dodgers, but the implementation of the universal DH for the shortened season could also help him remain in the lineup on days he would have otherwise sat out.

Belt (heel) was out of his walking boot Tuesday, Alex Pavlovic of NBC Sports Bay Area reports.

Belt has been dealing with right heel pain that forced him into a walking boot, but he was seen out of the boot Tuesday as he prepared to take swings in the batting cages. The Giants remain hopeful that the 32-year-old will be ready for Opening Day against the Dodgers on July 23.

Pederson worked with a movement coach during the MLB shutdown in an effort to improve flexibility and prevent injury, Ken Gurnick of MLB.com reports.

Pederson was referred to the trainer by teammate Austin Barnes, who had previously taken a similar approach to combat back issues. Pederson missed most of spring training with injuries to his hip and side, but he reportedly feels lighter on his feet during summer camp and has already stolen two bases in intrasquad action. That matches the number of stolen bases he accumulated in regular-season action over the last two campaigns combined.

Blackmon (illness) arrived at the Rockies' camp Monday, Nick Groke of The Athletic reports.

Blackmon was quarantined in Georgia over the first several days of camp after he tested positive for COVID-19 on June 23, but he cleared MLB protocol and was allowed to rejoin the team Monday. It's unclear whether the 34-year-old experienced symptoms, and whether he'll be ready for the season opener July 24 remains to be seen.

Miller remained out of Saturday's summer camp workouts due to heel soreness, Anne Rogers of MLB.com reports.

The veteran first sat Friday with the issue, and manager Mike Shildt opted to play it safe with Miller a day later. Shildt added that Miller is projected to sit out Sunday as well prior to the Cardinals' scheduled day off Monday in order to afford him plenty of time off his feet.

Cespedes (ankle) is confident that he'll be ready for Opening Day, Anthony DiComo of MLB.com reports.

Cespedes has been participating in the Mets' intrasquad games during camp while recovering from a surgically repaired ankle, and he expressed optimism Saturday that he'll be ready for the start of the regular season. The 34-year-old has reached sprint speed in workouts during quarantine, but one of the main factors in his availability during the season will be his running ability.

Manager Mike Shildt revealed Friday that Miller is dealing with a heel injury that isn't believed to be serious, Anne Rogers of MLB.com reports.

Miller was held out of the Cardinals' intrasquad games over the past several days, and manager Mike Shildt revealed the reason Friday. Although the exact nature of the injury is unknown, the utility player isn't expected to miss more than a couple of days as a result. Miller should serve as major-league depth at several positions during the shortened 2020 season.

Cespedes (ankle) crushed a home run to left field off Seth Lugo during Thursday's intrasquad game, Anthony DiComo of MLB.com reports.

While it's great to see Cespedes' bat in what appears to be midseason form, he still isn't pushing too hard when it comes to the rest of his skill set -- he didn't even attempt to trot around the bases afterwards and simply walked to the dugout. The veteran's ability to run on his surgically repaired ankle and heels will be the biggest factor in determining how much playing time he sees in 2020, either at DH or in the outfield.

Winker spent much of the shutdown in Cincinnati working on improving his footwork, in the hopes of bettering his defensive skills, Mark Sheldon of MLB.com reports. "I was taking fly balls from DB and I just ran a ton," Winker said. "I think that was the best way to stay in shape for me, personally. Everything else -- throwing and hitting -- I've always trusted that would be there when it's time to go do that. Keeping my body in shape throughout this quarantine was my No. 1 priority."

This is a variation on the "best shape of his life" report, but there's come confirmation from the team that Winker is in better physical shape than he was last season. He'll spend some time in the outfield, and some as the DH.