MLB Player News

Rendon (oblique) is not in the lineup for Sunday's game at Oakland.

The 30-year-old will sit for the third straight game to begin the season as he continues his recovery from the oblique issue sustained in summer camp. Rendon fielded grounders and took batting practice prior to Saturday's contest and is scheduled for increased work Sunday, so he appears to be trending toward his return. David Fletcher receives another start at third base in his place.

Chapman, who entered Sunday's action 1-for-9 over his first two games, is also showing some signs of frustration with his future financial outlook, Shayna Rubin of the Marin Independent Journal reports.

Chapman is under team control through 2023, was originally on the books for a modest $623,500 this season (now prorated to $230,926) per Spotrac and isn't slated for unrestricted free agency until he's 30. That's a frustrating overall outlook for a player that, this year's slow start (1-for-9) over a very modest two-game sample notwithstanding, has outpaced his current compensation with 60 home runs, 159 RBI and a pair of Gold Gloves over his first two full seasons as an everyday player. However, the Athletics, already notorious for a conservative financial approach when it comes to doling out big paydays, could become even more prudent in that regard in light of their likely significant revenue losses in 2020. Chapman notably stated "it's every player's goal to get to free agency and be able to choose where you go" during a recent appearance on ESPN's Opening Night broadcast of the Dodgers-Giants game, lending credence to the notion he's playing with his financial future already weighing fairly heavily on his mind.

Astudillo has been cleared to rejoin the Twins at their alternate training site, Dan Hayes of The Athletic reports.

Astudillo tested negative on back-to-back coronavirus tests, so he has been cleared. He will look to knock off any rust and get back up to speed before potentially joining the 30-man roster in the coming days.

Rendon (oblique) fielded groundballs and took batting practice prior to Saturday's game and reportedly felt good, Jeff Fletcher of The Orange County Register reports.

Rendon continues to work his way back from the oblique issue he suffered near the end of summer camp. Manager Joe Maddon indicated that Rendon will increase his work Sunday, so the third baseman appears to be close to making his regular-season debut with the club. "He's definitely trending in the right direction," said Maddon.

Moncada is out of the lineup for Sunday's game versus the Twins.

Moncada is off to a strong start through the season's first two games (4-for-9 with a home run, two doubles and four RBI), but he'll receive a breather Sunday. Danny Mendick will receive the start at the hot corner and bat eighth in the series finale.

Candelario is not in Sunday's lineup against the Reds.

He is 0-for-7 with three strikeouts through two games. Harold Castro will stat at third base and hit sixth.

LeMahieu will bat leadoff and play second base Saturday against the Nationals.

LeMahieu missed a large portion of summer camp after testing positive for COVID-19, though he was able to make the Opening Day roster. He didn't take part in Thursday's season opener but evidently didn't need a whole lot longer to get ready for the season, as he'll be involved from the start of the second game of the campaign.

Rendon (oblique) remains on the bench Saturday against Oakland but is feeling better and will take groundballs on the field prior to the game, Rhett Bollinger of MLB.com reports.

Rendon has been dealing with a tight oblique for just over a week. The issue never appeared particularly serious, and he avoided a trip to the injured list, so it sounds as though he could be making his Angels debut sometime soon. David Fletcher again starts at the hot corner Saturday.

Toro entered Friday's game after Aledmys Diaz suffered a right groin injury. He went 1-for-1 with a walk and a double.

Diaz, who started as the designated hitter, tweaked the groin while running the bases during the Astros' five-run fifth inning. With Yordan Alvarez (undisclosed) weeks away from activity, the Astros will need a DH, so Toro may be in line for regular plate appearances depending on the severity of Diaz's injury.

Moncada went 3-for-5 with a three-run home run and a double in Friday's loss to Minnesota.

Moncada set up Chicago's initial run with a first-inning double and knotted the score in the second frame with a three-run homer off Minnesota ace Jose Berrios. Moncada missed most of summer camp after testing positive for COVID-19, but the time away appears to have done little to slow his momentum following a breakout 2019 season.