MLB Player News

Volpe grounded out as a pinch hitter in Sunday's Grapefruit League loss to Detroit.

The Yankees' first-round pick in the 2019 draft entered for Gary Sanchez in the eighth inning and nearly collected a hit on a foul ball down the left-field line before grounding out to shortstop in his only at-bat. Volpe is 18 years old and hit .215 in rookie ball last year, so he is likely years away from being seriously considered for the big-league roster.

Mondesi (shoulder) doesn't have a set date for his spring debut, but it could occur this week, Jeffrey Flanagan of MLB.com reports.

Mondesi took a big step Saturday by seeing limited action in an intrasquad game as he continues his recovery from the left shoulder surgery he underwent in September. Manager Mike Matheny reiterated the young shortstop remains on track to be ready for Opening Day.

Interim manager Ron Roenicke said Sunday that Bogaerts (ankle) is "still a ways away" from playing in games, Alex Speier of The Boston Globe reports.

Roenicke reiterated that he still believes his shortstop has enough time to be ready for Opening Day, but Bogaerts' status will remain in limbo until he's cleared for game action. The 27-year-old had the ankle soreness crop up early in camp and has been able to hit in the cage, take batting practice and field grounders.

Mateo, who's 3-for-12 this spring, has a good chance of making the Opening Day roster as he's out of minor-league options, Martin Gallegos of MLB.com reports.

Mateo has just under 1,100 plate appearances at the Triple-A level over the last two seasons, and he showed signs of finally hitting his stride in 2019 with a .289/.330/.504 line that included career bests in home runs (19) and RBI (78). Gallegos reports Mateo has already impressed early in camp with his above-average athleticism and speed, and because he's out of minor-league options, the A's run the risk of losing him to waivers if they try to send him back to Triple-A Las Vegas.

Franco started and hit leadoff in Friday's Grapefruit League win over the Nationals, going 1-for-4 with a run.

Franco was making his first Grapefruit League start, but he'd made his debut Thursday in a split-squad win over the Tigers when he entered the game as a defensive replacement for Willy Adames and grounded out to the pitcher in his only at-bat. The teenage phenom, who turns 19 on March 1, has rocketed through three minor-league stops over the last two seasons, hitting well over .300 at the Rookie, Low-A and High-A levels. Franco will gain valuable experience in big-league camp this spring, and he could potentially put it to use later this season if his meteoric rise through the ranks continues.

Adames went 2-for-2 with a two-run home run and two runs overall in a Grapefruit League split-squad win over the Tigers on Thursday.

The 24-year-old came into the game without his first spring hit, but he remedied that with a second-inning two-run shot off Tigers starter Jordan Zimmermann. Adames was eventually pulled for phenom Wander Franco to open the sixth inning, but not before kick-starting his Grapefruit League ledger with the multi-hit effort. Adames heads into the 2020 campaign looking to build on the career-best 20 home runs and 52 RBI he garnered last season across 584 plate appearances.

Anderson will miss Friday's game against Cleveland due to a stomach virus, Bruce Levine of 670TheScore.com reports.

With the illness occurring nearly a month before Opening Day, Anderson can afford to miss a few days and still have plenty of time to get ready for the regular season. He lines up to hit near the top of the batting order for the White Sox as the everyday shortstop this season.

Bogaerts (ankle) hit in the cage Friday but remains a few days from getting into a game, Julian McWilliams of The Boston Globe reports.

Bogaerts has been dealing with a sore ankle since early in camp. The issue doesn't appear to be a major worry, and he still has time to get built up for Opening Day, though it would certainly be reassuring to see him looking like himself in a Grapefruit League game soon.

Manager Kevin Cash said that Franco will join the Rays for Thursday's split-squad game against the Tigers, Steve Carney of Sports Radio 620 WDAE reports.

The 18-year-old phenom is scheduled to substitute in for Willy Adames at shortstop midway through Thursday's contest before making the trip with the big club to West Palm Beach, Fla. for Friday's game against the Nationals. Franco's exposure to big-league camp at this stage of his development speaks to his elite talent, and the Rays remain open to the possibility of the switch-hitting infielder making his MLB debut at some point in 2020 if his performance warrants it. After torching the competition in stops at Low-A Bowling Green and High-A Charlotte last season, Franco could report to Double-A Montgomery to begin the campaign.

Gordon, who arrived in camp late due to the birth of his daughter, is expected to make his Cactus League debut either Wednesday or Thursday, Greg Johns of MLB.com reports.

The veteran infielder has been busy playing catch-up after not reporting to camp until last Friday. Gordon isn't projected to open the season as the starter at second base, with Shed Long slated for the top job at the keystone. However, the 31-year-old is still expected to serve as a valuable veteran presence and a fill-in option in at both second and center field.