MLB Player News

Velazquez's chances of making the 30-man roster have improved with Richie Martin suffering a fractured wrist, Dan Connolly of The Athletic reports.

Velazquez had a decent chance to make the Opening Day roster even before Martin's injury. The 25-year-old utility player has a 44.4 percent strikeout rate in 36 MLB plate appearances and has a .260/.316/.415 slash line with 16 home runs and 32 steals (on 40 attempts) in 163 career games at Triple-A. While he doesn't project to be an impactful hitter in the majors, his ability to play up the middle and put his plus speed to work on the bases could lead to a part-time role in 2020.

Royals manager Mike Matheny said Sunday that Mondesi (shoulder) "looks fantastic" since joining Kansas City for summer camp, Jeffrey Flanagan of MLB.com reports. "He's strong, moving well," Matheny said. "He took a live [batting practice Saturday] and took a couple pitches inside, and they were good pitches, and turned them around. Timing looks good."

After undergoing surgery in October on his left shoulder, Mondesi was eased into spring training and wasn't scheduled to make his Cactus League debut until March 12, but he ultimately didn't get the chance to play after MLB suspended its season that same day. Now nearly four months later, Mondesi has been able to take advantage of the shutdown to get back to full health, and Matheny's comments suggest the talented shortstop is back to 100 percent as the Royals prepare for a 60-game season. Given the scarcity of steals league-wide even in a full 162-game slate, Mondesi's ability to impact that category could be amplified in an abbreviated campaign. In 177 games over the past two seasons, Mondesi has gone 75-for-89 in stolen-base attempts.

Diaz (shoulder) is on the field for team workouts Sunday, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.

The 29-year-old was absent from workouts the past two days due to shoulder soreness that cropped up from sleeping on his shoulder wrong, but his quick return confirms it to be a minor issue. Diaz will be the primary reserve option across all four infield spots for the Astros in 2020.

Gordon, who wasn't present for Friday's first summer camp workout, participated in Saturday's session and took live batting practice, Greg Johns of MLB.com

Gordon was part of the morning session and stepped into the box against Justin Dunn, whom he promptly lined a single against in his first at-bat. The veteran infielder is projected to serve in a reserve capacity behind Shed Long at second base during the shortened 2020 season, but his ability to also fill in at shortstop and even center field could potentially lead to a serviceable amount of playing time.

Diaz was held out of workouts Friday and Saturday with shoulder soreness, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.

Manager Dusty Baker said Saturday that Diaz slept on his shoulder wrong, which led to his absence from workouts for several days. However, the 29-year-old is expected to resume activities within the coming days. Diaz will be the primary backup at all four infield positions if he can remain healthy heading into the regular season.

Wendle participated in infield drills during the Rays' first workout of summer camp Friday, Juan Toribio of MLB.com reports.

The valued utility man got back into the swing of things alongside his teammates in the Rays' largest team workout in nearly four months. Wendle is expected to once again fill in at a number of positions this coming season, and he focused on increasing his arm strength this past offseason in order to be more effective when manning shortstop and third base.

Herrera has been named to the Yankees' 60-man roster.

Herrera is not on the Yankees' 40-man roster, so he's unlikely to make much of a major-league impact this season. The 27-year-old did impress this spring, hitting .400 with four extra-base hits and four RBI in 25 at-bats.

Tejada will be a part of the Blue Jays' 60-man roster.

Tejada spent the majority of 2019 with Triple-A Syracuse, slashing .326/.404/.471 with six home runs and 42 RBI over 73 games before he was released by the Mets in late August. He was a non-roster invitee for the Blue Jays this spring and went 3-for-18 with five RBI and four runs. The team has young talent in their major-league middle infield heading into 2020, but Tejada could compete for a veteran role with the team once play resumes.

Smith will be a part of the Blue Jays' 60-man roster.

Smith progressed to Double-A in 2019, where he hit .206/.261/.396 with 19 home runs and 11 stolen bases, but he also had a 32.4 percent strikeout rate. He was invited to big-league camp this spring and went 4-for-26 with six RBI and 11 strikeouts. The 23-year-old will get a chance to develop with the 60-man roster once the 2020 season gets underway.

Mateo will report to Oakland when teams resume workouts this week after the Athletics announced Sunday that he would be part of their 60-man roster pool.

With no minor-league options remaining and with Franklin Barreto and Tony Kemp ahead of him on the depth chart at second base at the time spring training was suspended in mid-March, Mateo wasn't considered a lock to break camp with the Athletics. However, MLB's decision to increase 40-man rosters to 60-man pools will allow the Athletics to keep the speedster in the fold in 2020 without having to risk exposing him to waivers. Oakland is still projected to open their 60-game slate in late July with Franklin Barreto and Tony Kemp as its primary options at the keystone, but Mateo -- who has stolen at least 20 bases in each of his past five minor-league seasons -- could receive ample use off the bench as a pinch runner.