MLB Player News

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.

Witt will be a part of the Royals' 60-man player pool this season, Enrique Rojas of ESPN Deportes reports.

Witt is the Royals' No. 1 prospect, but he is far from ready to handle MLB pitching. His numbers last year in the AZL don't jump off the page, but he hit .308/.352/.446 with his lone home run of the season over his final 15 games, so he may have figured something out down the stretch.

Allen is projected to be part of the 60-man player pool that will report to the Athletics' summer camp, Martin Gallegos of MLB.com reports.

The 2017 third-round pick made his way up to High-A Stockton last season, slashing an impressive .292/.363/.434 with 30 extra-base hits (22 doubles, five triples, and three home runs) and 25 RBI across 328 plate appearances. Allen complemented his best offensive season as a professional with continued stellar glove work, and Gallegos notes the 21-year-old is regarded by many as boasting the best defensive tools in the entire Athletics organization. Given the fact he's yet to even reach the middle level of the minors, Allen is unlikely to see any big-league regular-season action in 2020, but his development should benefit from a chance to participate in taxi squad intrasquad games, often versus more experienced players.