MLB Player News

Blackmon (illness) arrived at the Rockies' camp Monday, Nick Groke of The Athletic reports.

Blackmon was quarantined in Georgia over the first several days of camp after he tested positive for COVID-19 on June 23, but he cleared MLB protocol and was allowed to rejoin the team Monday. It's unclear whether the 34-year-old experienced symptoms, and whether he'll be ready for the season opener July 24 remains to be seen.

Ohtani hit a two-run home run in an intrasquad game Sunday, Trent Rush of Angels Radio Network reports.

Judging by Ohtani's offensive output this weekend -- he also hit a double Saturday -- the two-way star's back stiffness is mostly a thing of the past. Any lingering concern about the issue could be erased altogether if Ohtani gets through his scheduled pitching appearance Monday without incident.

The Astros placed Alvarez on the 10-day injured list Sunday due to an unspecified issue.

Alvarez and starting pitcher Jose Urquidy were both moved to the IL with the two having yet to arrive at summer camp due to what manager Dusty Baker called " a condition that prevents them from reporting to the field," per Chandler Rome of the Houston Chronicle. The vagueness of Baker's explanation makes it difficult to predict when Alvarez might be ready to join the Astros for workouts, leaving the slugger's status for the July 24 season opener versus the Mariners up in the air. If Alvarez is still sidelined when Opening Day arrives, Kyle Tucker would likely be the primary beneficiary of a regular spot in the Houston lineup.

Martinez launched a home run Sunday, his second in four intrasquad games during summer camp, Christopher Smith of MassLive.com reports.

In a normal 162-game season that would begin during cooler months in the northeast, Martinez's power would not be as dialed in as it appears to be now leading up to the 2020 season. "J.D.'s not a traditional fast starter so he's always telling me, 'I need as many at-bats as I can get because in spring training, it just takes me a long time,'" manager Ron Roenicke said Sunday. "I'm not seeing that right now. He's really good. He's going the other way. The offspeed, he's pulling. He's hit a couple home runs on them." Since joining Boston in 2018, Martinez has slugged .534 with nine home runs in 54 games during March/April. Those metrics get better in the warmer months: May (.645, 20 HR in 51 games), June (.611, 14 in 49), July (.564, 12 in 46) and August (.726, 17 in 52). The lesson here is that Martinez should be hitting for power early in the season.

Ohtani will pitch in Monday's intrasquad game, Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic reports.

It sounds like the stiff back that bothered him earlier this week is a thing of the past. It's unclear if Ohtani will start or work in relief in Monday's outing, but he is on track to be ready for his first start of the season.

Alvarez (undisclosed) remains absent from the Astros' summer camp as of Saturday, Chandler Rome of the Houston Chronicle reports.

The Astros ended up cancelling their workout Saturday for the second time in six days due to COVID-19 concerns, but Alvarez's ongoing absence from camp has created some doubt about his availability for the team's July 24 season opener versus the Mariners. Houston has been mum on Alvarez's absence thus far, with manager Dusty Baker merely stating that a "condition" has prevented him from reporting to camp. Though the status of Alvarez's health won't be known until he reports, the assumption is that he's at least moved past the knee soreness he experienced in spring training.

Miller remained out of Saturday's summer camp workouts due to heel soreness, Anne Rogers of MLB.com reports.

The veteran first sat Friday with the issue, and manager Mike Shildt opted to play it safe with Miller a day later. Shildt added that Miller is projected to sit out Sunday as well prior to the Cardinals' scheduled day off Monday in order to afford him plenty of time off his feet.

Ohtani's stiff back has been improving, allowing him to throw a bullpen session and take some at-bats in an intrasquad game Saturday, Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic reports.

News of a back issue was a potential worry for Ohtani, especially as his pitching appearance in an intrasquad contest Tuesday went quite poorly. It doesn't appear as though the Angels are particularly concerned, however, so Ohtani should be set to fill his two-way role once the season begins.

Ohtani is experiencing back stiffness that isn't believed to be serious, Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic reports.

Ohtani experienced back stiffness after pitching Tuesday, and the team has limited his workload over the past several days. However, manager Joe Maddon doesn't believe that the issue is serious and expects Ohtani to make his next outing in camp. Barring any setbacks, it wouldn't be surprising to see the right-hander fully ready for Opening Day.

Cespedes (ankle) is confident that he'll be ready for Opening Day, Anthony DiComo of MLB.com reports.

Cespedes has been participating in the Mets' intrasquad games during camp while recovering from a surgically repaired ankle, and he expressed optimism Saturday that he'll be ready for the start of the regular season. The 34-year-old has reached sprint speed in workouts during quarantine, but one of the main factors in his availability during the season will be his running ability.