MLB Player News

The Yankees placed LeMahieu (illness) on the 10-day injured list Tuesday.

Pitcher Luis Cessa (illness) was also moved to the IL after both players were revealed last weekend to have tested positive for COVID-19. LeMahieu is said to be asymptomatic, but he'll still need to submit two negative test results before being able to rejoin the Yankees for summer-camp workouts.

Moncada was absent from the White Sox's workout Monday, Scot Gregor of the Chicago Daily Herald reports.

The team can't legally confirm whether or not Moncada's absence is related to a positive coronavirus test. It's not clear when he's expected to rejoin his teammates.

The Royals placed Reynolds on the 10-day injured list Saturday due to an unspecified issue.

Reynolds was one of three Royals moved to the IL, with no explanation for any of the transactions provided by the team. Salvador Perez later told reporters Saturday that his placement on the IL was the result of a positive COVID-19 test, but neither Reynolds nor Meibrys Viloria has shed light on the nature of his absence. Reynolds had previously joined the Royals on a minor-league deal in November and attended spring training as a non-roster invitee, but Kansas City has since added him to the 40-man roster. Once he's deemed available, Reynolds could be in the mix for a utility infield role with the big club.

Manager Ron Gardenhire suggested Monday that Candelario is the current leader in the competition for the Tigers' top third-base job, Cody Stavenhagen of The Athletic reports. "[Candelario] and [Lugo] are gonna continue the battle right here. We haven't made the final decision on that one yet. "Candy," I think, was probably doing a little bit better than [Lugo], but I like [Lugo] a lot."

Isaac Paredes and No. 1 overall draft pick Spencer Torkelson are also expected to be included in the competition, but since neither player has any prior MLB experience, Candelario and Lugo stand out as the clear frontrunners for the job. Candelario opened the 2019 campaign as the Tigers' top option at the position, but he largely struggled in his second full season with the club, slashing .203/.306/.337 with eight home runs in 386 plate appearances. Lugo received some work at third base when Candelario disappointed, but the former was marginally worse at the dish, posting a 65 wRC+ to Candelario's 72 wRC+.

The Twins placed Astudillo (illness) on the 10-day injured list Saturday.

The transaction was made shortly after the Twins announced that Astudillo and Sano were two of four players in the 60-man player pool who tested positive for COVID-19 as part of the intake process at the team's summer camp. Before Astudillo -- who is believed to be asymptomatic, per Do-Hyoung Park of MLB.com -- is eligible to rejoin the Twins for workouts, he'll need to self-isolate and test negative twice. The timing of Astudillo's positive test could make it a challenge for him to gain full clearance in advance of the Twins' Opening Day game July 23 or 24.

LeMahieu has tested positive for coronavirus, Marly Rivera of ESPN reports.

LeMahieu is reportedly asymptomatic, but it remains unclear when he'll be able to join his teammates. With Opening Day less than three weeks away, he won't have much time to get in game shape even if he's back with the team soon, which could open up a temporary role for Tyler Wade or Thairo Estrada at second base.

Candelario will likely be the Tigers' starting third baseman to begin the 2020 season, but he's facing pressure from prospects Isaac Paredes and Spencer Torkelson in camp, Cody Stavenhagen of The Athletic reports.

Candelario and Dawel Lugo were battling for the third base job before play was suspended, and the belief was that Candelario had separated himself. However, Paredes and Torkelson are expected to be big parts of the team's future, and both were added to the summer camp roster. Lugo is also still in the mix at camp. While the organization likely won't rush Paredes or Torkelson into action, Candelario is going to need to perform well to earn any type of job security.

Astudillo has tested positive for COVID-19, Do-Hyoung Park of MLB.com reports.

Astudillo is reportedly asymptomatic, but he'll nevertheless remain quarantined for the time being. The lost time these next few weeks could shrink his role early in the season, and he's already not guaranteed too many at-bats, as he hit an unimpressive .268/.299/.379 in 204 plate appearances last season.

Toro is expected to make the Opening Day roster, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.

This represents no change from the spring when Toro was expected to claim the final spot on what was then a 26-man roster. With rosters expanded to 30 for the first two weeks of the season, Toro should be on the Astros' bench Opening Day. He can play multiple infield positions, which puts him in competition with Jack Mayfield, a less-accomplished hitter than Toro.

Maggi was included in Minnesota's 60-man player pool ahead of summer camp before the 2020 season begins, MLB.com reports.

Maggi spent last season in the Twins' organization, where he hit .258/.384/.405 with 10 home runs, 46 RBI and nine stolen bases while playing for Triple-A Rochester. He's likely to spend most his time with with Minnesota's alternate training site, but gives the Twins an older veteran minor leaguer for depth.