MLB Player News

Barreto went 3-for-5 with three doubles, two runs and an RBI in Sunday's 11-3 win over the Brewers in Cactus League play.

Barreto's odds of making the Athletics' Opening Day roster already improved after Sheldon Neuse was optioned to Triple-A Las Vegas earlier in the day, and the 23-year-old only bolstered his outlook by banging out three extra-base hits in the win. He'll continue to compete with Jorge Mateo, Tony Kemp and Chad Pinder for the top job at second base throughout the spring, though manager Bob Melvin may ultimately opt for a platoon or timeshare at the position.

Miller was sent to minor-league camp Sunday, Jeff Sanders of The San Diego Union-Tribune reports.

Miller went 1-for-7 with two RBI in Cactus League play. He hit .290 with 13 home runs and 68 RBI with Double-A Amarillo last season.

Urias (wrist) began facing live pitching Sunday and is hoping to start Cactus League games within the week, Adam McCalvy of MLB.com reports.

A return to game action this week would provide Urias a promising chance of being ready for Opening Day, which appeared somewhat unlikely after he underwent surgery on his left wrist in late January. The 22-year-old seemed poised to begin the season as the Brewers' starting shortstop, but an impressive spring training from Orlando Arcia could result in split at-bats between them early on. Regardless, Urias is progressing well in his recovery and should be able to avoid starting the season on the injured list if he can make a few appearances in spring games.

McNeil (illness) will start at third base and bat leadoff in Sunday's Grapefruit League game against the Astros, Tim Healey of Newsday reports.

McNeil missed the past couple days of action while battling flu-like symptoms, but the Mets were apparently satisfied with his health when he reported to the ballpark Sunday. The 27-year-old saw action at several different spots in 2019, but he's expected to find a permanent home at third base this season for the Mets.

McNeil was sent back to his Port St. Lucie lodgings Friday after reporting flu-like symptoms, per Anthony Rieber of Newsday Sports.

McNeil did not play in Friday's game against Houston, and given that he had to be sent home from the team's facility, it seems possible that he could be out of the lineup for a few days. That said, at yet there's no reason to think the illness will put him at risk of missing Opening Day.

Wong was optioned to Triple-A Sacramento on Friday.

Wong was claimed off waivers from the Angels in November but won't open the season in the majors. That's hardly surprising, as he's played just seven major-league games thus far in his career.

Altuve (illness) is back in the lineup as expected Friday against the Mets, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.

Altuve had been out of action since Tuesday, though his illness evidently wasn't too serious. He'll have plenty of chances to make up for lost time with Opening Day still nearly three weeks away.

Rodgers (shoulder) said Thursday that he expects to see action in the field in a Cactus League game "within a week," Patrick Saunders of The Denver Post reports.

While it once seemed to be a foregone conclusion that Rodgers would open the season on the injured list as he continued his rehab from July shoulder surgery, the 23-year-old has made tremendous progress over the past couple months, keeping hope alive that he'll be ready to go for Opening Day. Per Saunders, Rodgers will make his spring debut Thursday as a designated hitter in the Rockies' split-squad game against the White Sox. He's expected to make a few more appearances as a DH before potentially drawing a start at second base or shortstop next week, which would represent the final hurdle he needs to clear to prove he's healthy. Since Rodgers still has minor-league options remaining, the Rockies may prefer to have him open the season at Triple-A Albuquerque so he can play on an everyday basis. In any case, he likely won't have to wait long before making his 2020 debut with the big club.

Turang recorded his first hit of the spring in Wednesday's exhibition game against the White Sox.

Turang is spending spring training with the big club for the second year in a row, and he has appeared in six games to date. It's almost certain he will be an option for the big club this season, but as one of the club's top prospects the Brewers are allowing him to get more comfortable in a major-league environment. Turang reached the High-A level last season for the first time but posted just a .615 OPS over 47 games, so it seems likely he will be assigned there to begin the 2020 campaign.

Urias (wrist) has another checkup with a hand surgeon Friday, and he could be cleared to hit live pitching and appear in Cactus League games as soon as next week, Adam McCalvy of MLB.com reports.

He took swings against the pitching machine for the first time Wednesday and is still aiming to be ready for Opening Day. Orlando Arcia is having a great start to spring training, so even if Urias is ready for the start of the season, he may not get everyday at-bats right out of the gate. Nonetheless, he seems to be making good progress in his recovery from left wrist surgery in late January.