MLB Player News

White Sox manager Rick Renteria said Saturday that Moncada could make an appearance in one of three exhibition games scheduled this week, Daryl Van Schouwen of the Chicago Sun-Times reports.

Moncada joined Chicago's camp Friday after testing negative for COVID-19 but has only performed strength and conditioning exercises with coaches. An appearance in Sunday night's exhibition against the Cubs may be a stretch, but Renteria said Moncada is moving well and could appear in Monday's second exhibition against the Cubs or Wednesday's against the Brewers.

The Reds have been impressed with Farmer's defense at shortstop in team workouts and scrimmages, Mark Sheldon of MLB.com reports.

Farmer is making a case to be Freddy Galvis's backup, as the Reds still don't have a true shortstop behind him. "He's a unique athlete in that he can play the two most important positions, demanding from an athletic standpoint and skill standpoint," manager David Bell said. "Not many people fall into that category. We knew that, but I don't think I gave it enough thought to truly see how good he was at that position. He made great points, and it opened my eyes. He's showed it in this camp. He can really play there. He knew that, and maybe other people knew that."

Manager Dave Martinez said after Saturday's exhibition game that both Kieboom and Asdrubal Cabrera will play third base this season, Jesse Dougherty of The Washington Post reports.

The skipper was then asked a follow-up question regarding Kieboom being the starter, but he reiterated that both players will see time at the hot corner. Martinez said early in summer training that Kieboom was expected to be the everyday starter at third base this season, but it was Cabrera who received the start for the first exhibition contest. Kieboom made his major-league debut last season and struggled in 11 games with a .128/.209/.282 slash line and 16 strikeouts in 43 plate appearances, and it appears he's ticketed for some form of matchup-based platoon to begin 2020.

Manager Joe Maddon said Rendon (oblique) is considered day-to-day, Jeff Fletcher of The Orange County Register reports.

The veteran third baseman was scratched from Friday's intrasquad action with oblique tightness, and the team is remaining cautious only a day later. Rendon has no official timeline for his return, though Maddon indicated he could still be ready for Friday's season opener at Oakland.

Urshela (undisclosed) isn't seriously injured and is expected to play in Saturday's exhibition game against the Mets, Joel Sherman of the New York Post reports.

Urshela walked off the practice field with a team trainer, but the Yankees evidently aren't concerned with the issue. Assuming he is indeed healthy, he's expected to be the team's primary third baseman this season.

Urshela left the Yankees' workout Saturday with an undisclosed injury, Brendan Kuty of The Newark Star-Ledger reports.

Urshela lay down in foul territory before walking off the field with a team trainer. It's not clear exactly what ailed him, though the team should provide an update following further tests. Urshela is lined up to start at the hot corner this season, with Miguel Andujar likely to see an expanded role should he be unable to play.

Rendon was scratched from Friday's intrasquad matchup with oblique tightness.

Rendon was healthy over the start of camp while preparing for his first season in Los Angeles, but he's now considered day-to-day. The team should gain a better idea over the coming days as to whether the injury will impact Rendon's availability for Opening Day on July 24.

Longoria (oblique) took grounders during practice Friday, Amy Gutierrez of NBC Sports Bay Area reports.

Longoria injured his right oblique while swinging earlier in the week, but he was able to do some infield work Friday. He experienced some discomfort when reaching to his right, but the 34-year-old is reportedly still on track to start Opening Day, which is scheduled for Thursday against the Dodgers.

Moustakas (groin) is starting at second base and batting third in Friday's intrasquad game.

The veteran infielder missed the past two days of intrasquad action due to some groin tightness, but his quick return to the field indicates it was a minor concern. Moustakas had an .845 OPS and 35 home runs for the Brewers last season, and he's set to start at the keystone for the Reds after signing a four-year, $64 million deal in December.

LeMahieu (illness) was on the field at the Yankees' facility Friday, Kristie Ackert of the New York Daily News reports.

It was reported earlier this week the veteran infielder was expected to rejoin the Yankees soon, and it appears he's now cleared MLB's COVID-19 protocols. LeMahieu tested positive for the virus in early July but was reportedly asymptomatic, and he'll now have less than a week to build up for Thursday's season opener against the Nationals. The 32-year-old's workout progress the next couple days figures to play a prominent role in determining his availability for Opening Day.