MLB Player News

Tellez slugged three home runs over his first two intrasquad games at summer camp and hit another during a live batting practice session against Shun Yamaguchi on Sunday, Keegan Matheson of MLB.com reports.

Tellez's long ball off Yamaguchi was particularly impressive, as it reached the second deck of the right-field stands at Rogers Centre. The 25-year-old has always offered plus power from the left side, but a 28.4 percent career strikeout rate has played a large factor in him being only a league-average hitter (100 wRC+) over parts of two seasons in the majors. He may need to continue to mash in summer camp to open the season with a large-side platoon role. Tellez looks to be one of the Blue Jays most at risk of losing playing time after manager Charlie Montoyo said last week that Vladimir Guerrero would move across the diamond and serve as the club's primary first baseman in 2020.

The Royals placed O'Hearn (illness) on the COVID-19 injured list Tuesday.

O'Hearn and starting pitcher Brad Keller were both moved to the IL just a few days after they were revealed to have tested positive for the coronavirus, while Salvador Perez was activated from the COVID-19 IL after clearing all health-related protocols. Before he's able to rejoin the Royals for workouts, O'Hearn will need to test negative for COVID-19 on two occasions while he remains in quarantine. Unless he's back with the Royals by the end of the week, O'Hearn may have a tough time gaining clearance for the team's July 24 season opener versus the Indians.

White hit his first home run of summer camp off Yusei Kikuchi in Tuesday's intrasquad game, Greg Johns of MLB.com reports.

The starting first baseman launched his round tripper in the first inning off the left-hander, breaking the long-ball ice more than a week into camp. White had already made a strong impression with his bat before spring training was suspended by hitting .333 across eight exhibitions, and he'll have a chance to continue ramping up for his first season as a full-time starter over the next week-plus.

Dalbec (illness) was cleared to return to practice Saturday, Chris Cotillo of The Springfield Republican reports.

A positive COVID-19 test had kept Dalbec away from his teammates thus far, but he returned to work out with the team's second group at Boston College on Saturday. He's expected to join the big-league squad at Fenway Park on Sunday. He's played just 30 games at the Triple-A level and didn't dominate there for Pawtucket last season, hitting .257/.301/.478, so he's unlikely to fill a major role in Boston this year.

Guerrero will primarily play first base and designated hitter this season, Ben Nicholson-Smith of Sportsnet.ca reports.

Guerrero was widely expected to move to first base eventually, though it wasn't clear that he'd move so soon. He'll still be considered a possibility at the hot corner, but his defense graded out very poorly there according to both DRS and UZR, so the move is hardly a surprise. He should pick up the additional eligibility early in the season, though he'll likely lose third-base eligibility for 2022, which could affect owners in dynasty formats. Travis Shaw is expected to be Toronto's primary third baseman this season.

Vaughn worked out extensively at third base Wednesday, Scott Merkin of MLB.com reports.

Vaughn, the White Sox's first-round pick (third overall) in 2020, is viewed as the first baseman of the future, but the White Sox feel he can handle the additional position. "There are several of us that believe he's capable of moving around. He's got really good feet, his exchange is very good, got a very good arm. He has all the makings of being able to play that position," said manager Rick Renteria. With Yoan Moncada (undisclosed) not working out with the team, there are available reps at third base for Vaughn, although he is not expected to open the season on the 30-man game roster.

Mountcastle was added to the Orioles' 60-man roster Wednesday, Roch Kubatko of MASNSports.com reports.

Mountcastle was expected to join the Orioles' player pool, but he was officially able to join the team for workouts Wednesday along with teammate Mason Williams after they cleared intake testing. Mountcastle will work with the major-league club before a secondary training site is opened for the team. The 23-year-old advanced to Triple-A Norfolk last season, where he hit .312/.344/.527 with 25 home runs and 83 RBI, and he could potentially make his debut in the majors at some point in 2020.

Mountcastle is expected to be added to the Orioles' 60-man player pool before the start of the season, Dan Connolly of The Athletic reports.

Connolly notes that Mountcastle won't be promoted to the majors until the team has manipulated his service time (at least seven days at the satellite camp) to gain an extra year of control, and it is not even a given that he will be up at that point. However, it is still the expectation that Mountcastle will make his debut at some point this season. He hit .235/.235/.412 with one home run and a 9:0 K:BB in 34 plate appearances this spring and is limited to left field, first base and designated hitter.

O'Hearn tested positive for coronavirus Tuesday, Andersen Pickard of MLBDailyDish.com reports.

O'Hearn is reportedly asymptomatic, but he'll nevertheless have to isolate until he tests negative twice. If he remains asymptomatic, he'll at least be able to stay in shape while quarantined, but the loss of practice time could still keep him from being ready to play on Opening Day, which is less than three weeks away.

Lowe has put in work at third base in summer camp thus far, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Manager Kevin Cash still envisions primarily deploying Lowe at first base when he's on the field, but he's also interested in finding ways to insert the promising 25-year-old in the lineup more frequently. Lowe put in a total of nine games at third base between Triple-A Durham and the Rays last season, compared to a combined 93 at first. Cash commented Monday that Lowe has looked serviceable at the hot corner thus far but still "needs more work."