MLB Player News

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.

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.

Senzel (shoulder) is 100 percent healthy, Bobby Nightengale of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

Senzel underwent shoulder surgery back in September. His health is hardly a surprise, as he'd been able to appear as a designated hitter before spring training play was paused and wasn't expected to miss much if any time even if the season wasn't delayed. The Reds' outfield got more crowded over the offseason with the additions of Shogo Akiyama and Nick Castellanos, though the universal designated hitter should create enough extra at-bats to keep Senzel in the lineup for most games, as he appears to be the team's top option in center field.

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.

Vargas is expected to be carried on the active roster to start the season, Steve Gilbert of MLB.com reports.

Vargas was having a strong spring before the coronavirus pandemic prompted MLB to hit the pause button on the 2020 season. With a plan in place to play 60 games beginning in late July that includes an expanded active roster of 30 players, there should be room to Vargas and others that were competing for the final couple of spots on what was then a 26-man roster. Vargas along with Josh Rojas and Jon Jay should open the season on the active roster. Eventually, the roster limit drops to 28 then 26, so there will be some cuts during the first month of the season. A player like Vargas, who can play multiple positions, is in a good position to hang on to a spot.

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.

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

Lewis was set to continue to develop as a shortstop in the minors this season, but it's possible he could be called up as a center fielder if the Twins have a need during the 60-game season (which is possible due to Byron Buxton's injury history). The Twins will likely decide to leave him at Minnesota's alternate training site all year. Lewis likely needs more time -- likely a full season -- at Double-A and Triple-A before he is ready for the majors, but it's possible that the abnormal season could cause the Twins to get more aggressive with his timetable.

Groshans will be a part of the Blue Jays' 60-man roster.

Groshans started the 2019 campaign in the Midwest League with Low-A Lansing, where he hit .337/.427/.482 with two home runs and 13 RBI over 95 plate appearances before suffering a left foot injury in mid-May that ended his season. However, the 20-year-old is fully healthy heading into the 2020 campaign and will get a chance to develop with the team's 60-man roster once play resumes.

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

Astudillo was on the major-league roster bubble before spring training was shut down in March, as it wasn't clear the Twins would keep three catchers. However, he's very likely to make the initial major-league roster in the shortened 60-game season since the Twins will be able to initially keep 30 players in the majors. The uncertainty of the short season could lead the Twins to keep three catchers on the major-league roster all year, even when rosters are reduced to 26 players after four weeks.