MLB Player News

Manager Joe Maddon said Rendon (oblique) will sit out Wednesday's exhibition finale against the Padres, Rhett Bollinger of MLB.com reports.

Maddon termed Rendon as day-to-day while the third baseman continues to deal with oblique tightness, leaving his availability up in the air for Friday's season opener against the Athletics. If Rendon is on the bench for Opening Day or is forced to the injured list as a result of the oblique issue, David Fletcher and Matt Thaiss would be the next men up for reps at the hot corner.

Hayes was sent to the Pirates' alternate training camp in Altoona on Wednesday, Jason Mackey of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.

Hayes wasn't able to join his teammates until Monday after previously testing positive for COVID-19, so it makes sense that he won't be ready for game action just yet. He wasn't necessarily ever all that likely to be on the Pirates' Opening Day roster, as he's yet to make his major-league debut. However, he played a full season for Triple-A Indianapolis last year and hit a sold .265/.336/.415, so he should be called upon at some point this year.

Moncada had no ill effects Tuesday after playing five innings during an exhibition game against the Cubs on Monday, Scott Merkin of MLB.com reports.

Moncada, who arrived at summer camp last Thursday after testing positive for COVID-19, has been working hard to get himself ready to play Opening Day. He responded well during Tuesday's workout and could bat second and play third base when the White Sox kick off the regular season at home against the Twins on Friday. The White Sox have yet to officially activate him from the COVID-19 injured list, but that merely looks to be a formality at this point.

Vargas got a start at first base late in summer camp, Nick Piecoro of the Arizona Republic reports.

Vargas displayed a big bat during summer camp and the exhibition games in Los Angeles, which has manager Torey Lovullo thinking creatively about how to get him in the lineup. The switch-hitting utility infielder has a career .968 OPS against left-handers, which Lovullo might be able to exploit. Vargas came up as a middle infielder and played third base, but he's blocked at those spots. That leaves first base -- already the domain of Christian Walker (groin) -- and designated hitter.

Duffy was reassigned to the Yankees' alternate training site Tuesday.

Duffy was in contention for a major-league roster spot with DJ LeMahieu's (illness) status in question, but Duffy will head to alternate camp as LeMahieu looks to be on track to return soon. The 29-year-old could be in consideration for a spot on the 30-man roster if injuries pile up in the infield this season.

Farmer will be a part of the Reds' Opening Day roster, C. Trent Rosecrans of The Athletic reports.

The versatile player will be both the Reds' third catcher and a utility infielder; he appeared behind the plate and at all four infield spots last season. His versatility is his primary calling card, as he hasn't done much with his bat in his first 294 career plate appearances, hitting just .236/.289/.384.

Muncy (finger) started at first base in Monday's exhibition game against Arizona and went 0-for-2 with a walk and a run scored.

Muncy missed some time in early July after being hit on the finger by a pitch, but he's now back to full activity and has played first base in the team's last two exhibition games. He's fully expected to be in the Dodgers' lineup on Opening Day.

Hayes (illness) was healthy enough to practice at PNC Park on Monday while his teammates traveled to Cleveland for an exhibition game against the Indians, DK Pittsburgh Sports reports.

He may report to the Pirates' alternate training site in Altoona after missing summer camp time due to COVID-19. Colin Moran has had a strong camp at third base, alleviating the need to bring Hayes along quickly. Look for the prospect to make his debut sometime in August.

Vargas hit a solo home run and a single in Monday's 12-1 loss in an exhibition game against the Dodgers, Nick Piecoro of the Arizona Republic reports.

Vargas provided Monday's lone highlight for the Diamondbacks, who lost both exhibition games to the Dodgers by a combined score of 21-3. He's swung a hot bat during summer camp and is expected to be part of the 30-man roster that opens the season Friday in San Diego.

Devers is expected to bat second in the order, Ian Browne of MLB.com reports.

Devers developed into a dangerous hitter in 2019, when then-manager Alex Cora moved him to the two hole. Devers slashed .334/.379/.653 with 19 homers and 63 RBIs in 335 plate appearances when batting second. Current manager Ron Roenicke is expected to have Andrew Benintendi bat leadoff, followed by Devers. It's not the most conventional lineup to have two left-handers at the top, but the manager is mulling over using that duo in Friday's opener against Baltimore left-hander John Means.