MLB Player News

The Cardinals announced Sunday that Montero tested positive for COVID-19.

Montero is the fourth known Cardinals player -- and the second player who traveled back to the United States from the Dominican Republic ahead of summer camp -- to test positive for the coronavirus. Fortunately for the 22-year-old, he's not currently experiencing any symptoms of the virus, so he should be able to rejoin the Cardinals after a period of self-isolation and after two negative test results. Though the Cardinals include the infielder in their 60-man roster pool, he wasn't considered a prime candidate to crack the team's 30-man Opening Day unit.

Manager Brian Snitker said Saturday that Freeman tested positive for COVID-19, Mark Bowman of MLB.com reports.

Freeman and three of his teammates tested positive for COVID-19. The 30-year-old is reportedly battling a fever, and Snitker said that it's "going to be awhile" before Freeman is able to report to camp, David O'Brien of The Athletic reports.

Goldschmidt, who was present for the Cardinals' first day of summer camp Friday, reports his previously sore right elbow is feeling much better following the long layoff, Anne Rogers of MLB.com reports. "I was able to take some time off and give it some rest and get treatment on it for awhile," Goldschmidt said during a video conference at Busch Stadium on Friday. "It's 100 percent now. I'm not sure if it would have been if we rolled right into the season. Hopefully that's one positive, personally."

The extended suspension of all official baseball activities carried a silver lining for several injured players, with Goldschmidt one prominent example. The 32-year-old remained in South Florida for the last three months, which not only gave him access to the Cardinals' spring training facility in Jupiter for treatment, but also enabled him to work out with the likes of Giancarlo Stanton, Justin Verlander and Max Scherzer. The fact he was able to get at-bats against two of the game's elite pitchers should certainly have him ready to jump back into batting practice against his own team's pitchers.

Calhoun did not attend Friday's practice session, Cameron Cox of 12 Sports Arizona reports.

Calhoun was one of three key pieces of the Diamondbacks roster not in attendance Friday, along with Madison Bumgarner and David Peralta. All three are awaiting clearance to return.

Montero was added to the Cardinals' 60-player roster pool Wednesday, Mark Saxon of The Athletic reports.

The 21-year-old made quick work of the lower minors prior to last season and earned a promotion to Double-A Springfield, but he struggled mightily with a .552 OPS and 74 strikeouts in 238 plate appearances while battling wrist injuries. Montero was added to the 40-man roster in November and will join the team's summer camp at Busch Stadium in advance of the shortened season.

Cronenworth has been named to the Padres' 60-man player pool.

Cronenworth's selection is far from a surprise considering the fact that he was competing for a spot on the team's Opening Day roster when spring training was suspended. With initial MLB rosters expanding to 30, the versatile infielder appears to have a chance to break camp with the big-league club, though perhaps less so after the acquisition of Jorge Mateo from Oakland. A point in Cronenworth's favor is MLB's decision to allow position players to pitch without restrictions during the shortened 2020 campaign; that should boost the value of two-way players such as Cronenworth given the condensed schedule and likely careful handling of pitching staffs.

Bohm will be part of the Phillies' 60-man roster.

Bohm isn't on the 40-man roster and may not break camp to begin the season, but the addition of the universal DH in the National League certainly helps his chances of making his MLB debut in 2020. While Jay Bruce is penciled in as the team's main DH, Bohm could see some looks down the road against left-handed pitching, though it's worth noting he posted just a .720 OPS against southpaws at the Double-A level last season.

Chicago manager David Ross said he plans on batting Rizzo second behind Kris Bryant this season, Gordon Wittenmyer of NBC Sports Chicago reports.

The Cubs will get the benefit of a DH during this abbreviated season, but Ross plans on batting his corner infielders 1-2, likely followed by shortstop Javier Baez and then possibly catcher Willson Contreras. Rizzo primarily batted third in 2019 while also getting time in the cleanup and leadoff spots. Previous manager Joe Maddon was known to freely move players around the batting order and the diamond, but it remains to be seen if Ross will be more consistent with his lineups.

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

Like the majority of the Padres' top prospects, Arias was included in the player pool for developmental purposes rather than to help the big-league club win in 2020. He is a great defensive shortstop and has impressive power for his age (20), but he could stand to improve his plate discipline (4.9 percent walk rate, 25 percent strikeout rate at High-A) before reaching the majors.

Higgins will be a part of the Cubs' 60-man player pool this season.

Higgins was one of four catchers added to the group that will train at Wrigley Field, joining Willson Contreras, Victor Caratini and Josh Phegley. Those other three figure to be ahead of Higgins on the depth chart, but the 27-year-old will be available in case a need arises.