MLB Player News

New Royals manager Mike Matheny said Tuesday that Mondesi is progressing in his rehab from left shoulder surgery and is on schedule to be ready for Opening Day, Alec Lewis of The Athletic reports.

When Mondesi underwent surgery at the end of last season, he was given a five-to-six month estimated recovery timetable, leaving Opening Day in doubt. It's great to hear that he's progressing well, though we still expect some limitations in spring training. While Mondesi's rate stats took a big step backward last season, he is only 24 with the rare combination of power and game-breaking speed. The dream is still very much alive for fantasy.

Velazquez signed a one-year contract with the Indians on Monday, Paul Hoynes of The Cleveland Plain Dealer reports.

Velazquez saw limited chances during the 2019 season, going 2-for-23 with two doubles and a stolen base in 15 games. He figures to slot into a utility role with Cleveland in 2020.

Adrianza signed a one-year, $1.6 million contract with the Twins on Monday, avoiding arbitration, Bob Nightengale of USA Today reports.

Adrianza posted a career-best .349 OBP over 84 games with the Twins in 2019 to earn him a raise prior to hitting free agency after the 2020 season. The versatile infielder is unlikely to carve out a starting role next year given the Twins' depth, but he could still see a relatively consistent role in order to provide load management for the starting infielders.

Bichette's offseason is going well, and he's no longer experiencing concussion symptoms, Ben Nicholson-Smith of Sportsnet.ca reports.

Bichette's strong rookie season ended prematurely in mid-September after he was hit in the head by a pitch. He finished his first big-league campaign with a .311/.358/.571 line in 46 games, homering 11 times and doubling 18 more. He's expected to progress to full workouts soon and should have plenty of time to get up to full speed by the start of spring training.

Correa went 1-for-5 with a three-run home run Thursday in an 8-3 win over the Yankees in Game 4 of the ALCS.

While Correa has struggled so far in the postseason, slashing just .167/.167/.389, it's encouraging to see him pop two homers in the last three games after he battled back problems for much of the regular season. If the Astros can wrap up the series in Game 5, it would buy Correa a few additional days to rest his ailing back.

Diaz could earn a start against Yankees lefty James Paxton in the ALCS, Jake Kaplan of The Athletic reports.

Diaz didn't start any of the five games in the ALDS against the Rays but received three plate appearances off the bench, going 0-for-3 with two strikeouts. He'd likely start in left field if he's in the lineup, pushing Michael Brantley to right and Josh Reddick to the bench. The Yankees haven't announced their rotation plans yet, but Paxton started the first game of the ALDS and is likely to do so again in the ALCS.

Wendle is not in the lineup for Game 3 of the American League Division Series against the Astros on Monday.

Wendle will sit for the second straight game Monday after starting just one of the team's postseason games so far. Yandy Diaz will start at third base and lead off.

Wendle is not in the lineup for Game 2 of the American League Division Series against the Astros on Saturday.

Wendle will get a breather Saturday after going 1-for-3 with a run in the first game of the ALDS on Friday. Yandy Diaz will start at third base and lead off.

Adrianza (oblique) is on the Twins' ALDS roster.

An oblique strain has kept Adrianza out of action since Sept. 12. He's seemingly ready to go now, however, and should fill a bench role during the division series.

Correa (back) is in the lineup for Game 1 of the ALDS against the Rays on Friday, Chandler Rome of the Houston Chronicle reports.

Correa has been out for nearly two weeks with a tight back, but he's ready to go for the start of the playoffs, batting seventh and playing shortstop. Injuries limited him to just 75 games this season, but he hit quite well when healthy, posting a .279/.358/.568 slash line.