MLB Player News

Berti could play five or six times a week as the Marlins' super-utility player during the compacted schedule, Joe Frisaro of MLB.com reports.

His most likely defensive homes are in center field or middle infield, but Berti is preparing to play just about anywhere. "We have three weeks [to Opening Day]," Berti said Monday. "Kind of every other day, pick an infield spot for one day, and the next day pick an outfield spot. Just work on that for the time being until we're comfortable with where our legs are at." The 30-year-old journeyman was one of the surprise fantasy performers of the 2019 campaign, slashing .273/.348/.406 with 17 steals in 20 attempts over only 73 big-league games, and consistent playing time could allow him to make an impact in SBs once again.

The Padres acquired Mateo from the Athletics on Tuesday in exchange for a player to be named later, Jeff Passan of ESPN.com reports.

The 25-year-old was set to report to Oakland for summer camp this week as a member of the team's 60-man roster pool, but he'll instead end up making his way to San Diego. Mateo was somewhat buried on the depth chart behind Franklin Barreto and Tony Kemp at second base with the A's, and his immediate outlook could be a bit more optimistic with the Padres. Fernando Tatis has shortstop locked down while Jurickson Profar, Greg Garcia and Ty France are the top options at the keystone. Mateo has no remaining minor-league options and as a result is likely to be a member of the season-opening, 30-man roster, even if he only ends up filling a bench role.

Shewmake will be a part of the Braves' 60-man roster, Gabe Burns of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports.

Shewmake was the 21st overall pick in the 2019 first-year player draft, and he was invited to the Braves' big-league camp this spring as a non-roster invitee. He wasn't particularly effective, hitting .231/.333/.308 with three runs and two RBI over 15 plate appearances before being reassigned to minor-league camp. However, the 22-year-old will get a chance to develop as a part of the team's 60-man roster pool in 2020.

Marcano will be part of the Padres' 60-man summer camp.

Marcano has never struck out more than 8.9 percent of the time and has plus speed on the bases, but he has very little power right now and could stand to add strength to his 6-foot, 170-pound frame. He has never played above Low-A and is unlikely to see MLB action in 2020.

Abrams will be part of the Padres' 60-man summer camp.

Abrams is the Padres' top prospect for dynasty leagues, but his inclusion in the player pool is for developmental purposes rather than to help the big-league squad in 2020. Perhaps his speed and defense could be an asset in a pinch, but he will likely reach the majors for the first time in 2022 or 2023.

Cruz was named to the Pirates' 60-man player pool Sunday.

Cruz hit .217 with one homer and four RBI in 23 at-bats during February and March, and an 11:1 K:BB shows he likely needs more time in the minors. The 6-foot-7 infielder slashed .298/.356/.475 with eight homers and 11 steals in 265 at-bats split between three minor-league levels in 2019. He remains one of the organization's brightest offensive prospects, but it will take a number of injuries for him to garner playing time in Pittsburgh before 2021.

Owings will be a part of the Rockies' 60-man summer camp.

Prior to the shutdown, Owings had made a strong case for a roster spot as a non-roster invitee, so his inclusion is not surprising. That said, he is likely to fill a depth role and probably won't play regularly enough to be a viable fantasy option, especially in weekly leagues.

Garcia will be a part of the Reds' 60-man player pool this season.

He will not be training at Great American Ball Park with the Reds' top players, but Garcia is now eligible to potentially make his big-league debut this season. That said, the 22-year-old shortstop has never even played at Double-A, so don't look for him to assume a prominent role until 2021 or 2022.

Perdomo will be a part of the Diamondbacks' taxi squad this season, Jesse Sanchez of MLB.com reports.

One of the DIamondbacks' top prospects and one of the most underrated prospects in all the minors, Perdomo has a chance to be Arizona's shortstop of the future. However, they have a very talented big-league roster as is, and Perdomo has never played above High-A, so he is unlikely to get significant playing time in the majors this season.

Luciano will be a part of the Giants' taxi squad this season, Jesse Sanchez of MLB.com reports.

While Luciano is the Giants' top prospect and one of the best prospects in baseball, he has yet to play at Low-A, let alone the majors. It is unclear how much major-league action he will get during the regular season, but it seems unlikely that he will play enough to be a factor in redraft leagues.