MLB Player News

The Braves placed Smith (illness) on the 10-day injured list Saturday.

Atlanta made the transaction shortly after the team revealed that Smith was one of four Braves to test positive for COVID-19. Among the four players, Smith and pitcher Touki Toussaint were revealed to be asymptomatic as of Saturday, so both could be cleared to rejoin the team in a matter of days if they can quickly procure two negative results in their subsequent tests. If Smith's absence proves to be a brief one, he should be ready to go for Opening Day and remain in the mix to close games for the Braves.

Ginkel has not been spotted during the first two days of summer camp, Nick Piecoro of the Arizona Republic reports.

Add Ginkel to the list of players that have yet to report to summer camp. He's expected to serve as one of the primary setup men for closer Archie Bradley. David Peralta and Kole Calhoun were among the missing Friday, but apparently GInkel's absence went undetected until Saturday. Regarding the missing players, Arizona manager Torey Lovullo said the same thing Saturday that he said Friday: Guys are completing their intake testing. "I think Major League Baseball has set forth a certain protocol that you've got to arrive, you've got to quarantine, you've got to test, you've got to pass the test. I think it's a small window for very rigorous protocols," said the manager. At this time, teams are not allowed to state whether players have contracted COVID-19 because it is considered a "non-employment-related" issue, though a player may authorize a team to do so.

Hudson threw live batting practice to multiple teammates in Saturday's summer camp workout at Busch Stadium, Anne Rogers of MLB.com reports.

The right-hander faced a formidable lineup of Matt Carpenter, Paul Goldschmidt, Dexter Fowler, Paul DeJong, Matt Wieters, Harrison Bader and Kolten Wong, which was a welcome departure from the throwing sessions against a pad that Hudson carried out during the three-month-plus shutdown. The 25-year-old also used his time away from the team to continue working on smoothing out his delivery, a process he'd started during the offseason in an effort to improve his command. "I feel comfortable with what I'm doing," Hudson said. " I was trying to mess with some stuff at the end of last year, and going into spring this year, I was able to show it off a little bit. From here on, I just felt like that off time was me engraving it."

Ponce de Leon, who threw live batting practice during Saturday's summer camp workout, could be used as either a reserve starter or long reliever in the early portion of the season, Anne Rogers of MLB.com reports.

Ponce de Leon had already made a formidable case for an Opening Day roster spot with an impressive spring before play was paused, and the expanded rosters that will be in play for approximately the first month of the 60-game season only enhance his chances. The versatile right-hander tweaked his cutter and curveball grips during the shutdown, and he utilized those pitches alongside his changeup and fastball during Saturday's workout. Ponce de Leon also maintained a regular throwing routine over the last three-plus months, as he was able to play catch frequently at a local park and throw bullpen sessions twice a week at Stetson College near his home in Florida.

Hicks (elbow) threw a bullpen session in the visitors' dugout at Busch Stadium on Saturday, Anne Rogers of MLB.com reports.

Manager Mike Shildt described Hicks as "feeling good" overall, but he didn't yet have any direct feedback on Saturday's session when he met with reporters after summer camp workouts concluded for the day. Nevertheless, any news of Hicks continuing on a regular throwing routine is certainly welcome and supports the notion he'll have a chance to possibly make an impact in the second half of the truncated 60-game regular season.

Cabrera has tested positive for COVID-19.

Cabrera was held out of the Cardinals' first workout of camp due to a pending test result, and he'll now be forced to miss more time after his test came back positive. Whether or not he'll be available for the start of the regular season remains to be seen.

Underwood is one of 22 pitchers in the Cubs' player pool working out at Wrigley Field for summer camp.

Underwood bounced between Triple-A and the majors in 2019, and he's now facing plenty of competition for playing time this season. The 25-year-old made 10 starts in the minors last year, so he could give the Cubs multiple innings out of the bullpen if he's called upon.

Manager Brian Snitker said Saturday that Smith tested positive for COVID-19, Mark Bowman of MLB.com reports.

Smith tested positive for COVID-19 along with three of his teammates. While Smith is reportedly asymptomatic, he'll still have to clear the league protocol before he's able to rejoin the team.

Cabrera was unable to participate in the Cardinals' first summer camp workout at Busch Stadium on Friday due to a pending COVID-19 test result, Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports.

Cabrera was one of four players -- Carlos Martinez, Ivan Herrera and Elehuris Montero being the other three -- that had been in the Dominican Republic during the shutdown and was awaiting the results of his test. Cabrera and the rest of the group were tested Thursday morning, approximately a day later than originally planned because of a flight delay. Assuming a clean bill of health, the 23-year-old southpaw may have his test results back in time to participate in Saturday's workout. Assuming good news, he'll soon resume his competition for a bullpen role.

Yates hasn't reported to camp as of Friday as he deals with a personal issue, AJ Cassavell of MLB.com reports.

Yates is reportedly dealing with a family issue that isn't related to COVID-19, but he'll likely report in the coming days. The closer will need to undergo testing protocols, but he should be ready for Opening Day if all goes well. The 33-year-old converted 41 of 44 save attempts with a 1.19 ERA and 101:13 K:BB with the Padres in 2019.