MLB Player News

Vargas belted two home runs and drove in six runs during Saturday's intrasquad game, Steve Gilbert of MLB.com reports.

Vargas was a likely addition to the roster in spring training, and based on the way he's hit in camp, it's almost certain he'll be part of the 30-man Opening Day roster. Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo estimated Vargas has hit six home runs in intrasquad and simulated games since camp opened. The soon-to-be 29-year-old has experience at three infield positions (2B, 3B, SS) and played a few games in the outfield for Arizona in 2019. That positional versatility, along with the distinction of being a switch hitter, could be helpful when Lovullo is required to trim the roster as the regular season progresses.

Busch joined the Dodgers' 60-man player pool Friday, J.P. Hoornstra of the Los Angeles Daily News reports.

The 31st overall pick in 2019 will get better coaching than he otherwise would have with no minor-league games happening this season, but he's very unlikely to fill even a depth role this season. He's only appeared in 17 professional games after suffering a hairline fracture in his right hand last year and has yet to reach High-A.

Manager Derek Shelton gave no reason as to Hayes's absence from summer camp, DK Pittsburgh Sports reports.

Shelton previously had said all the players they expected to be in Pittsburgh had reported, which would include Hayes. A week ago the manager also said that Colin Moran would serve as the team's starting third baseman early in the season. Unless Hayes returns to the fold soon, he's likely looking at starting the year in alternative spring training in Altoona.

Hayes has not yet participated in preseason camp, Rob Biertempfel of The Athletic reports.

Since Pittsburgh maintains six years of control with Hayes if it keeps him off the major-league roster for six days during the regular season, it remains doubtful that the 23-year-old becomes the Pirates starting third baseman early on in his 2020 campaign. Hayes is coming off a productive season with Triple-A Indianapolis in which he hit .265/.336/.415 with 10 home runs and 53 RBI across 480 plate appearances. Colin Moran is likely to serve as the Pirates primary third base option to open the season, but Hayes could see time thereafter.

Muncy (finger) is confident in his availability for Opening Day, Ken Gurnick of MLB.com reports.

Muncy is still feeling pain after suffering a bruised left ring finger during an intrasquad matchup Tuesday, but he expressed confidence Wednesday that he'll be ready for the start of the regular season. The 29-year-old still hasn't attempted gripping a bat, but he said that he'd likely be playing through the injury if the season had begun. However, he's electing to take his recovery slowly during camp as a precautionary measure. The Dodgers are scheduled to open the season July 23 against the Giants.

Kieboom drew praise from manager Dave Martinez for his defensive work Tuesday, Jessica Camerato of MLB.com reports. "He looks really good. He really does," Martinez said. "I could tell that he took these last three months and really got some work done. His feet are working really well over there."

The 22-year-old was primarily a shortstop in the minors, but Kieboom's been handed the enormous task of replacing Anthony Rendon at third base this season, so his ability to make the necessary defensive adjustments is crucial. If he struggles, either in the field or at the plate, the Nats do have veteran alternatives such as Asdrubal Cabrera who can step in for Kieboom, however.

Muncy is considered day-to-day after getting hit by a ball on his left ring finger, Eric Stephen of TrueBlueLA.com reports.

It doesn't sound as though Muncy is dealing with a serious issue such a fracture, so his readiness for Opening Day doesn't appear to be significantly threatened. Still, any lost preparation time given the brief period that players have to get in game shape certainly isn't a good thing, with the Dodgers set to open play against the Giants in just over two weeks on July 23.

Braves manager Brian Snitker mentioned Riley, Adam Duvall and Johan Camargo as possible first-base options in the event Freddie Freeman (illness) isn't available for the start of the season, Gabe Burns of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports.

Freeman has reportedly experienced some serious side effects since testing positive for COVID-19 a few days earlier and may not be back to full strength for the Braves' Opening Day game July 23 and 24, prompting Snitker to explore potential replacement options in summer camp. The implementation of the universal designated hitter already looked like it would give Riley a clear path to an everyday role, and Freeman's potential absence may only further solidify the 23-year-old's spot in the lineup. After an up-and-down rookie season, Riley was one of the Braves' top performers in spring training, slashing .357/.438/.643 while striking out in only five of his 28 at-bats.

Kieboom will be the Nationals' starting third baseman to open the season, Todd Dybas of NBC Sports Washington reports.

The 22-year-old failed to impress in a brief, 11-game stint at the big-league level last season, hitting .128/.209/.282 with a 37.2 percent strikeout rate. He's evidently going to be handed an everyday role for the defending champions despite the fact that he's yet to establish himself, though the Nationals do have Asdrubal Cabrera available to take the job from him should he stumble early.

Hayes is not expected to serve as the team's Opening Day starter at third base, DK Pittsburgh Sports reports.

Manager Derek Shelton said that he "doesn't think it's (the third base job) an open competition." Pittsburgh maintains six years of control with Hayes if it keeps him off the major-league roster for six days during the regular season. Colin Moran will likely get most of the hot corner starts during the first week of the season, but Hayes could see time thereafter.