MLB Player News

Ford would be a candidate to make the big-league squad if MLB decides to expand rosters when play resumes, Brendan Kuty of NJ Advance Media reports.

Ford's place on the Opening Day roster had been in question throughout the spring, and his spot seemed to grow more tenuous with the possible return to health of Giancarlo Stanton (calf) and Aaron Judge (rib) due to the delayed start of the campaign. However, talk of MLB expanding roster sizes to account for a shortened spring training has Ford solidly back in the mix. Per Kuty, the Yankees value Ford's experience and left-handed bat off the bench despite not necessarily needing a backup first baseman.

Yankees manager Aaron Boone confirmed Wednesday that Stanton (calf) is fully healthy and will be ready to go for Opening Day, Lindsey Adler of The Athletic reports. "He's pretty much over the hump," Boone said. "He's pretty much run aggressively and done the things necessary. If and when we begin spring training games, he would likely be ready to roll for that."

The Yankees are one of the big winners of MLB's decision to suspend its season at least eight weeks due to the coronavirus pandemic. The team now has a good chance to have three key players -- Stanton, Aaron Judge (rib) and James Paxton (back) -- available for Opening Day, when all initially appeared set to begin the season on the injured list. Look for Stanton to occupy his familiar spot in the heart of the order whenever MLB sets a firm target date for the start of the season.

Dickerson had a .320/.346/.640 slash line with three doubles, one triple and one home run in 10 games prior to the suspension of spring training.

The 29-year-old missed some time in 2019 due to oblique issues, but he ended up appearing in 68 games between the Padres and Giants while posting a .276/.332/.489 slash line. Dickerson has dealt with numerous injuries throughout the last few years, but he's expected to be in the mix for a starting spot in the corner outfield for the Giants once play resumes.

Buxton (shoulder) would have been in the Opening Day lineup had the season started on time Thursday, manager Rocco Baldelli told the Minneapolis Star Tribune. "Buck's rehab could not have gone smoother," Baldelli said. "Physically, mentally, he's in a tremendous spot."

Buxton underwent surgery on his torn labrum in September, which placed his availability for Opening Day in question. However, he would have been ready for Opening Day had it started on time. He now looks set to begin the season as Minnesota's starting center fielder whenever the MLB season begins.

Ruf, who was in Giants camp on a minor-league deal, could open the season on the 26-man roster, Maria Guardado of MLB.com reports.

He hit .429/.469/1.000 with three home runs, five doubles, one triple, one steal and a 7:3 K:BB in 32 plate appearances this spring. The journeyman first baseman/left fielder spent the last three years playing in the KBO, slashing .313/.404/.564 with 86 home runs in 404 games over those three campaigns. Guardado suggests Ruf could make the roster as an outfielder and backup first baseman, but it seems more likely that he heads to Triple-A, as he is not on the 40-man roster.

President of baseball operations Andrew Friedman said Pederson (hip) is essentially recovered from his hip and side injuries, Ken Gurnick of MLB.com reports.

Hip and side soreness kept Pederson sidelined for all of Cactus League action, though he had reportedly resumed playing in minor-league games before spring training was suspended. As such, the outfielder isn't expected to be limited whenever play resumes.

McCutchen (knee) is expected to be back to full health when MLB resumes its suspended season in mid-May or later, Todd Zolecki of MLB.com reports.

McCutchen has progressed well from the surgery he required last June to address a torn ACL in his left knee, but because he was still limited in spring training, the Phillies weren't planning on having him available for their Opening Day game in Miami that was initially scheduled for March 26. With the start of the season having been suspended for at least eight weeks, however, McCutchen looks like he'll have a fair amount of time to get back to full speed. Expect the Phillies to provide a formal update on McCutchen's health once MLB clears teams to resume training again, but if he's deemed ready for the start of the season, the 33-year-old will likely serve as the team's everyday leadoff hitter.

Reyes is expected to open the year as a corner outfielder while Domingo Santana starts at designated hitter, MLB.com's Mandy Bell reports.

Reyes and Jordan Luplow are the frontrunners to start in the corner outfield spots, according to Bell, while Oscar Mercado is set to start in center field while Delino DeShields works as the fourth outfielder. Jake Bauers could also make the team as a fifth outfielder and Tyler Naquin (knee) could be healthy by the time the season starts, which would likely push Luplow to the short side of a platoon. Reyes came into camp 18 pounds lighter, and while he probably still won't be great in the outfield, Santana is one of the worst defensive outfielders in baseball, so this alignment makes sense if Cleveland is intent on starting Santana. Reyes has only ever started in right field and DH in his career.

Belt slashed .280/.321/.560 with two home runs and one stolen base through 10 games before spring training was suspended.

The veteran first baseman has historically been a strong performer in the Cactus League, and that trend continued in 2020. Belt had a career-worst 99 wRC+ in 2019 but is poised for another season starting at first base for the Giants.

Ford's likelihood of making the Opening Day roster is lessened with the probable return to health of Giancarlo Stanton and Aaron Judge by the start of the regular season, Bryan Hoch of MLB.com reports.

While Ford's big bat appeared to give him a leg up on a roster spot prior to the suspension of spring training, the delay to the start of the regular season figures to reduce available bench spots by two due to the anticipated return of both Judge and Stanton. Thairo Estrada, Tyler Wade and Rosell Herrera are all candidates for an Opening Day roster spot, which could bump Ford back to the minors, especially considering his limited versatility in the field. Ford didn't help his chances in spring training, as he hit .194 with only one home run during Grapefruit League play.