MLB Player News

Yankees manager Aaron Boone said he doesn't expect Chapman (illness) to be available for Thursday's season opener versus the Nationals, Kristie Ackert of the New York Daily News reports.

The Yankees placed Chapman on the injured list July 11, two days after the team learned he tested positive for COVID-19. Fortunately for Chapman, he's believed to be displaying only mild symptoms of the coronavirus, but the 32-year-old has yet to submit two negative test results and has yet to rejoin the Yankees. As a reliever, Chapman won't require much ramp-up time once he clears all COVID-19-related protocols, but the Yankees intend to lean on Zack Britton as their primary closer until Chapman is activated.

Junis revealed Monday that he'd previously tested positive for coronavirus, Alec Lewis of The Athletic reports.

The test result explains why the righty landed on the injured list Monday. He's since been cleared to practice, but his quarantine period earlier in camp means he's behind where he needs to be to contribute right away. It doesn't sound as though his absence will last too long, though, as he'll be ready for game action once he's built up his arm strength. With Junis and Brad Keller each on the road back from COVID-19, Brady Singer, Foster Griffin and Jorge Lopez could all get starts early in the season.

Junis was placed on the 10-day injured list for undisclosed reasons Monday, Lynn Worthy of The Kansas City Star reports.

It's not clear when Junis is expected back on the field. With Brad Keller's status also unclear for the start of the regular season, as he wasn't cleared to join the team until Friday after testing positive for COVID-19, the Royals could have a pair of spots open in their rotation to start the year. Brady Singer, Foster Griffin and Jorge Lopez could all be in line to begin the season in starting roles.

Law was assigned to the Rangers' alternate training site Sunday, Levi Weaver of The Athletic reports.

Law worked as a non-roster invitee during summer camp, but he'll head to the team's alternate facility with less than a week remaining until Opening Day. The 29-year-old has some experience as a closer in the past and could be one of the team's top options to fill in if injuries pile up in the bullpen even though he isn't currently on the 40-man roster.

Detroit manager Ron Gardenhire said it's unclear if Norris (illness) will be able to rejoin the team in the next few days, Cody Stavenhagen of The Athletic reports.

Gardenhire said on Thursday that he thought Norris could possibly rejoin the team over the weekend, but the lefty remains in the COVID-19 protocol. "I'm not for sure if he's gonna show up in the next couple of days," Gardenhire said. "I'm not positive." The Tigers start their season on Friday in Cincinnati, and given the time he's already missed, it's looking increasingly unlikely that Norris will be on the Opening Day roster.

Garcia was reassigned to the Rangers' alternate training site Sunday, Levi Weaver of The Athletic reports.

Garcia signed with the Rangers in January and was able to work at the main facility during camp, but he'll shift to the team's alternate site ahead of the regular season. The right-hander could be an option to fill in if injuries occur in the bullpen this season, but it's unlikely that he'd be used in high-leverage situations.

Weems was informed Sunday that he'll be on the major-league roster for Opening Day, Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.

Weems was reported as a darkhorse candidate to make the roster early in camp, but he impressed enough to be rewarded with a spot in Oakland's bullpen to begin the season. The 27-year-old has had some control issues in the past but has been able to throw a fastball in the high-90s during camp. The right-hander hasn't pitched at the major-league level during his career, and it's a bit unlikely that he'll be used in many high-leverage situations early on.

Martin (illness) was cleared to participate in team activities Sunday, Levi Weaver of The Athletic reports.

Martin was placed on the COVID-19 injured list Thursday and remains on the list, but he apparently cleared MLB protocol by producing two negative tests. As a result, he'll be able to work with the team ahead of the regular season. Although he won't be able to return in time for Opening Day, it's encouraging that the southpaw is healthy and will be able to take part in baseball activities.

McHugh (elbow) opted out of the 2020 season since his recovery hasn't progressed like he had hoped, Pete Abraham of The Boston Globe reports.

The 33-year-old has been working his way back from an elbow injury and was already ruled out for the start of the season, but he was apparently expected to be on the injured list for a significant portion of the shortened campaign. As a result, McHugh decided his time would be better spent at home with his family amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

Thornton is likely to begin the season as the Blue Jays' No. 4 starter with Chase Anderson (oblique) sidelined, Arden Zwelling of Sportsnet.ca reports.

The 26-year-old was already the frontrunner for the fifth spot in the rotation, but he receives some additional security with Anderson starting the season on the injured list. Thornton made his big-league debut in 2019 and had a 4.84 ERA, 1.41 WHIP and 149:61 K:BB over 154.1 innings. Ryan Borucki, Anthony Kay and Nate Pearson remain in competition for the No. 5 spot.