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.

DeJong drove in all four runs for his team in Thursday night's intrasquad game at Busch Stadium, Anne Rogers of MLB.com reports.

The slugger, who's projected to typically hit out of the cleanup spot this coming season, drove in a pair of runs with a first-inning single and then added a two-run home run in the fourth and final frame of the game. DeJong has received praise from manager Mike Shildt for his consistent approach in every simulated game the Cardinals have played thus far, and Thursday's production was also encouraging when considering the shortstop hit an anemic .193 with runners in scoring position in 2019.

Mateo has tested positive for COVID-19, Jeff Sanders of The San Diego Union-Tribune reports.

Mateo was traded to the Padres in late June, but manager Jayce Tingler revealed Wednesday that Mateo has tested positive for COVID-19. The 25-year-old is experiencing some symptoms, but Tingler said that those symptoms are improving. Mateo was expected to fill a major-league roster spot to begin the season due to his lack of remaining minor-league options, but it's unclear whether he'll be ready for the start of the 2020 campaign. Under MLB protocol, he'll have to test negative twice before he's able to rejoin the team.

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.

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.

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.

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.