MLB Player News

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.

Beer was cleared to return to baseball activities Thursday, Zach Buchanan of The Athletic reports.

The 23-year-old had to isolate, be clear of any symptoms and produce two negative tests before being cleared to rejoin his teammates. The quick turnaround will allow Beer to compete for reps at first base while holding his ground as a DH option for the time being.

Belt is sidelined by right heel pain and will be re-evaluated in 5-to-7 days, Maria I. Guardado of MLB.com reports.

It's unclear how the veteran first baseman picked up the injury, but it's not a great development in the early stages of camp. Belt is sporting a walking boot, per Kerry Crowley of The San Jose Mercury News, and his availability for Opening Day figures to hinge on how well he feels when re-evaluated next week.

Manager Torey Lovullo announced Tuesday that Beer tested positive for COVID-19, Zach Buchanan of The Athletic reports.

The 23-year-old apparently cleared the initial intake testing but since reported a positive test. Beer will need to isolate, be clear of any symptoms and produce two negative tests before being cleared to rejoin his teammates.

Rockies manager Bud Black said Monday that Blackmon (illness) hasn't arrived at summer camp, Nick Groke of The Athletic reports.

Back on June 23, Blackmon was revealed to have tested positive for COVID-19, and the outfielder has remained in quarantine at his offseason home in Georgia while he waits to fully clear the protocol for rejoining the Rockies. It's unclear at this point where Blackmon stands in his recovery or if he's free of symptoms, making it difficult to gauge when he might arrive at camp. The Rockies will open their season July 24 versus the Rangers.

Cespedes (ankle) played one inning in left field during Sunday's simulated game, Deesha Thosar of The New York Daily News reports.

He was also one of the few batters to make any kind of solid contact against Jacob deGrom, though Cespedes didn't appear to be moving around at full speed on the bases or in the field. Cespedes will probably see most of his playing time this season as the Mets' designated hitter, but if he proves capable of handling defensive duties as well it gives the team another route to getting his bat in the lineup.

Torrens would "almost certainly" benefit if the Padres choose to carry three catchers on the active roster to begin the season, but manager Jayce Tingler remains noncommittal about that possibility, AJ Cassavell of MLB.com reports.

There are multiple factors that will determine whether San Diego chooses to carry three catchers on its initial 30-man squad, not the least of which is the possibility of Francisco Mejia logging time as designated hitter. Should the Padres choose to use Mejia in that role, Torrens has a much more direct path to breaking camp with the big-league club. Should San Diego ultimately decide to carry only two backstops, Torrens will likely be part of the team's three-man taxi squad for road contests.

Blackmon (illness) won't be available for the Rockies when camp starts Saturday, Nick Groke of The Athletic reports.

Blackmon tested positive for COVID-19 in late June along with teammates Phillip Diehl and Ryan Castellani, but he apparently hasn't cleared the league's protocol and won't be able to join the team for the start of camp. It's unclear whether he is still showing symptoms or how much extra time he'll need to recover.

Manager Luis Rojas said Friday that Cespedes (ankle) reached sprint speed during his workouts in quarantine, Anthony DiComo of MLB.com reports.

GM Brodie Van Wagenen said early in the week he was "optimistic" about Cespedes being ready for Opening Day in late July, but few specifics were provided at the time. The 34-year-old has yet to arrive to the team facility, so Rojas said they'll have to wait to see him in person before potentially clearing him for full-speed baserunning. Cespedes had been taking live batting practice and shagging fly balls prior to the shutdown in March, but he had yet to begin running the bases. He's appeared in only 38 games since the start of 2018 due to an ankle fracture and heel surgeries, so once healthy he figures to be a major beneficiary of the universal designated hitter for the shortened season.