MLB Player News

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.

Buxton was diagnosed with a left mid-foot sprain Tuesday and is considered day-to-day, Betsy Helfand of the St. Paul Pioneer Press reports.

Buxton was carted off the field during Monday's intrasquad matchup, and while he appears to have avoided anything too serious, the 26-year-old could potentially miss the start of the regular season as a result of the sprain. If he's unable to suit up by Opening Day, Marwin Gonzalez and Jake Cave could see an uptick in playing time.

Buxton was diagnosed with a left foot injury and will receive imaging results Tuesday, Do-Hyoung Park of MLB.com reports.

Manager Rocco Baldelli said that the initial "once-over" of Buxton when he came off the field didn't appear to show anything serious and the team is cautiously optimistic. The Twins will have more information on his condition after receiving imaging results Tuesday. If the 26-year-old is forced to miss an extended period of time to begin the season, Marwin Gonzalez and Jake Cave are likely candidates to see increased playing time in the outfield.

Ohtani struggled with his command during his 60-pitch outing in Monday's intrasquad game, Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic reports.

Ohtani allowed one earned run on two hits and four walks across 3.1 innings. He recorded just one strikeout and also hit a batter. The southpaw threw just 26 strikes out of 60 total pitches. Ohtani seems to have made a full recovery from the mild back stiffness that began last week. The 26-year-old will serve as a two-way asset for the Angels come Opening Day.

Buxton was carted off the field Monday after injuring what appeared to be his left ankle, Do-Hyoung Park of MLB.com reports.

Buxton was chasing a fly ball hit by Nelson Cruz when he appeared to get his cleat stuck in the grass. He went down grabbing his left ankle and was carted off the field moments later. The severity of Buxton's injury is not yet clear and there will be a more clear timetable for his return after his evaluation. Marwin Gonzalez and Jake Cave seem like the top options to see an uptick in playing time if Buxton opens the year on the injured list.

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.

Ohtani hit a two-run home run in an intrasquad game Sunday, Trent Rush of Angels Radio Network reports.

Judging by Ohtani's offensive output this weekend -- he also hit a double Saturday -- the two-way star's back stiffness is mostly a thing of the past. Any lingering concern about the issue could be erased altogether if Ohtani gets through his scheduled pitching appearance Monday without incident.

The Astros placed Alvarez on the 10-day injured list Sunday due to an unspecified issue.

Alvarez and starting pitcher Jose Urquidy were both moved to the IL with the two having yet to arrive at summer camp due to what manager Dusty Baker called " a condition that prevents them from reporting to the field," per Chandler Rome of the Houston Chronicle. The vagueness of Baker's explanation makes it difficult to predict when Alvarez might be ready to join the Astros for workouts, leaving the slugger's status for the July 24 season opener versus the Mariners up in the air. If Alvarez is still sidelined when Opening Day arrives, Kyle Tucker would likely be the primary beneficiary of a regular spot in the Houston lineup.

Martinez launched a home run Sunday, his second in four intrasquad games during summer camp, Christopher Smith of MassLive.com reports.

In a normal 162-game season that would begin during cooler months in the northeast, Martinez's power would not be as dialed in as it appears to be now leading up to the 2020 season. "J.D.'s not a traditional fast starter so he's always telling me, 'I need as many at-bats as I can get because in spring training, it just takes me a long time,'" manager Ron Roenicke said Sunday. "I'm not seeing that right now. He's really good. He's going the other way. The offspeed, he's pulling. He's hit a couple home runs on them." Since joining Boston in 2018, Martinez has slugged .534 with nine home runs in 54 games during March/April. Those metrics get better in the warmer months: May (.645, 20 HR in 51 games), June (.611, 14 in 49), July (.564, 12 in 46) and August (.726, 17 in 52). The lesson here is that Martinez should be hitting for power early in the season.

Ohtani will pitch in Monday's intrasquad game, Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic reports.

It sounds like the stiff back that bothered him earlier this week is a thing of the past. It's unclear if Ohtani will start or work in relief in Monday's outing, but he is on track to be ready for his first start of the season.