MLB Player News

Alvarez (knee) will be the Astros' primary designated hitter in 2020, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.

Alvarez is listed as an outfielder, but a lingering knee issue and his defensive liabilities make him the likely DH for a majority of Houston's 60-game schedule. Cementing Alvarez at DH would leave roster spots for Myles Straw and Kyle Tucker or perhaps a surprise candidate like Chas McCormick.

Vogelbach, who is projected to serve as the Mariners' primary designated hitter, could become an attractive trade piece if he starts the season off well, Greg Johns of MLB.com reports.

The burly 27-year-old slugged 30 home runs in 2019 yet also struggled to a .208 average, in large part due to a 26.7 percent strikeout rate and .232 BABIP. Vogelbach's season essentially fell off a cliff after the All-Star break, but he was hitting an impressive .321 (9-for-28) over 12 Cactus League games when spring training was suspended. Johns speculates that if Vogelbach carries over that momentum into summer camp, and eventually, the first month of the regular season, he could become a particularly appealing trade option for contending National League teams that will be filling a full-time designated hitter spot for the first time this season.

General manager Brian Cashman said Tuesday that Stanton should be DH-ready by Opening Day, Pete Caldera of The Bergen Record reports.

This report seems optimistic on its surface, though the fact that Cashman said "DH-ready" specifically is a bit of an eyebrow raiser. Stanton has battled a series of lower-body injuries over the last year, most recently a calf injury. Reading between the lines, it seems he may still be limited in his mobility.

Angels general manager Billy Eppler said Tuesday that Ohtani (elbow) has been cleared for mound work at the outset of summer camp and will be available as a two-way player for the start of the 2020 season, Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic reports.

Ohtani had already reached the finish line in his recovery from October 2018 Tommy John surgery when he resumed facing hitters in live batting practice in May, so Eppler's comments are merely confirmation that the 25-year-old will head to camp with no notable restrictions. Manager Joe Maddon has already said that he intends to keep Ohtani on a once-a-week pitching schedule as part of the Angels' expected six-man rotation, leaving Ohtani to serve as a designated hitter on the days when he's not on the mound. Ohtani has demonstrated elite ability both as a pitcher and hitter during his two years in the majors, posting a 127 ERA+ over 51.2 career innings and a 136 wRC+ over 792 career plate appearances.

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

Rooker hit .286/.400/.333 with zero home runs and a 6:3 K:BB in 25 plate appearances with the big club in spring training. While Rooker may be able to hold his own at the plate against big-league pitching, albeit with plenty of strikeouts (34.7 percent strikeout rate at Triple-A), his defensive limitations and the Twins' impressive depth make it tough to envision a path to significant playing time. He'll likely spend most of the season at Minnesota's alternate training site.

Beer will be a part of the Diamondbacks' 60-man summer camp.

Beer was originally slated for the minors in March, but now could see new life as one of the organization's best hitting prospects. Some questioned this move when the Diamondbacks acquired Beer in the Zack Greinke trade, as Beer had been pegged primarily as a DH that might be able to earn some reps at first base. Effectively, the universal DH rule for the 2020 shortened season could increase Beer's chances to see MLB work this year. He slashed .289/.388/516 with 26 home runs in 2019, splitting time between the High-A and Double-A levels.

Mets general manager Brodie Van Wagenen said Monday that he's "optimistic" about Cespedes (ankle) being ready for game action when the team opens its season in late July, Joel Sherman of the New York Post reports.

Other than indicating that Cespedes was in better shape now than he was when spring training shut down in mid-March, Van Wagenen didn't provide many specifics regarding where the 34-year-old stands in his recovery from ankle and heel surgeries. Before MLB's hiatus, Cespedes had been able to take live batting practice and was shagging flies in the outfield, but he hadn't yet progressed to running the bases. If he's able to complete a running program over the next three weeks without any complications, Cespedes should have a decent shot at reclaiming an everyday role with the Mets. Thanks to the implementation of the universal designated hitter, Cespedes wouldn't have to play left field as frequently as he's had to in the past, which would reduce the strain on his legs.

Ruf made the Giants' 60-man roster.

Even though he was just in camp on a minor-league deal, Ruf had a chance to make the roster under normal circumstances thanks to a .429/.469/.1.000 line with three home runs and a 7:3 K:BB in 32 spring plate appearances. Ruf can play first base and left field, and if his spring outburst is remotely indicative of his current talent level, he could also get starts at designated hitter.

The White Sox announced Monday that Mercedes will be included as part of the team's 60-man roster pool.

Chicago added a pair of catchers in Mercedes and Zack Collins to its pool of available players in advance of the MLB season resuming in late July. The White Sox are expected to lean heavily on Yasmani Grandal and James McCann to handle nearly all the starts behind the plate, but Mercedes could get a look if either or both of the aforementioned players succumbs to an injury at some point.

O'Keefe will be part of the Mariners' 60-man training roster.

O'Keefe, 26, hit .229/.319/.389 with 13 home runs at Double-A in 2019 as a member of the Cardinals' organization. He is unlikely to see much, if any, time in the majors this season.