MLB Player News

Adames was one of more than a dozen players present at Tropicana Field for the re-start of workouts Monday, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

The shortstop was present and accounted for in what was the first opportunity for Rays players to work out together in more than two months. Participants were able to play catch, run, use free weights in a makeshift gym and also complete plyometric jumps and other exercises during Monday's session, which was conducted in groups of two. While Adames and his teammates did not have access to amenities such as batting cages, bullpen mounds or the full weight room, Topkin notes those areas may be accessible as early as next week. The team is also expected to make the stadium available Wednesday and Friday this week.

Crawford, who has remained in the Arizona area while spring training has been suspended, is likely to be present for the informal workouts the Mariners will allow players to conduct at their Peoria complex beginning this week, Greg Johns of MLB.com reports.

The team's spring training facility is set to open either Monday or Tuesday for voluntary workouts, making the Mariners one of many teams around MLB that will be granting limited access to players in coming days. Crawford has been working out on his own in the area, but having access to at least certain parts of the facility will allow him to presumably ramp up baseball-specific activities with the proper equipment.

Marte, who is projected to remain at shortstop for the foreseeable future, is considered one of the organization's brightest prospects, Corey Brock of The Athletic reports.

Brock notes the 18-year-old Marte is still unsurprisingly growing into his body, now standing closer to 6-foot-2 after being drafted at almost two inches shorter and appearing to have a more chiseled frame in spring training than he did during his time in the Dominican Summer League last year. Marte may be robbed of a minor-league season this year, but in the event of such, he could potentially continue to get baseball-related work as part of developmental games each team might organize for some of its top prospects.

Bichette has been able to stay in shape in part by doing drills and working out with his father, four-time All-Star outfielder Dante Bichette, Gregor Chisholm of The Toronto Star reports.

"Most of the time he's throwing me (batting practice), but every once in a while he actually pitches to me, so we'll get the Little League field distance and he'll throw it as hard as he can to try and get me out. That's when it gets a little bit intense and a little bit competitive," Bichette said about the workouts with his pop. The 22-year-old figures to be ready to go right away once spring training resumes.

Franco's chances of making his big-league debut during the 2020 season will likely be dampened if there is no minor-league season, Juan Toribio of MLB.com reports.

The elite prospect's chances of seeing big-league action in 2020 even if the season would have unfolded as planned may have been relatively remote, considering he's yet to take an at-bat above the High-A level. Despite the fact Franco is unquestionably on the fast track to the majors, the Rays would ideally like to get him more seasoning, leading Toribio to surmise an outright cancellation of the minor-league season would further depress the odds of the 19-year-old making his debut in a truncated year. However, he adds the disclaimer that the organization's view could change if the Rays find themselves in contention and conclude that Franco -- whose stellar .318/.390/.506 line at Low-A Bowling Green last season qualifies as the least impressive overall of his three professional stops to date -- could significantly improve the team's offensive firepower.

Volpe has been taking part in hitting and defensive drills at his home in New Jersey during MLB's hiatus, Sam Dykstra of MiLB.com reports.

Volpe, the Yankees' first-round draft choice last season, spent much of March in self-quarantine after two fellow minor leaguers tested positive for COVID-19 in spring camp. He has since taken to hitting into a net and lifting weights at his home, as well as working on his defensive mechanics with what he describes as "a ton of drills...that take up literally no space." The 19-year-old will look to bounce back from a difficult first season in rookie ball during which he batted .219 and came down with a bout of mononucleosis that ended his campaign early.

Mateo's chances of garnering a spot on the Opening Day roster are uncertain following his spring training battle with Vimael Machin for a backup job at second base, Martin Gallegos of MLB.com reports.

When spring training was suspended, Franklin Barreto and Tony Kemp were projected to platoon at second base, with Mateo and Machin seemingly battling for what could have been the 26th and final spot on the roster. The 24-year-old Mateo was outpaced by Machin at the plate during Cactus League play, with the latter's .333 average markedly better than Mateo's .231 figure. Gallegos notes Mateo is a more "electric" player than Machin because of his lightning speed -- which manifested itself this spring in the form of four steals -- and is also out of minor-league options. Machin counters with the ability to play all four infield positions and is a Rule 5 draft pick, so he would return to his original organization (the Cubs) if he doesn't stick with the Athletics. Ultimately, even though Machin arguably had a leg up in their battle when play was paused, Mateo could well be the beneficiary of a possible expansion of rosters beyond 26 players that's been discussed as one of the contingency plans for a delayed regular season.

Wendle worked on his arm strength this offseason with the intention of filling in more often at shortstop and third base in 2020, Josh Tolentino of The Athletic reports.

The versatile infielder enjoyed a solid spring (.259, two doubles, two home runs, three RBI, six runs) and is considered a lock to be on the team come Opening Day, especially with MLB reportedly preparing to allow teams to expand rosters to 29 players for at least the first month of the regular season. Wendle has experience playing up to five different positions, but he's spent the majority of his time at second base over the last two seasons. However, a stronger arm would certainly make him a more effective player when deployed on the left side of the infield, thus seemingly enhancing his job security.

Basabe batted a combined .323/.352/.398 over 37 games between the AZL Rangers and short-season Spokane in 2019.

Basabe, who batted .344/.414/.474 and finished third as a 17-year-old in the Dominican Summer League in 2018, continued to hit in the lower levels of the minors since signing out of Venezuela in 2017. The only downside of the move to the States was a drop in walk rate, but the 19-year-old didn't strike out much while hitting more line drives and flyballs. Defensively, the organization introduced the young shortstop to second and third base, potentially giving him more paths to the majors.

Franco hit .286 (2-for-7) with one RBI and and one run over three Grapefruit League games before spring training was suspended.

Franco wasn't slated to see an abundance of exhibition action since he's not likely to log any time in the majors in the coming regular season. However, the organization did want to get its top prospect his first taste of experience against big-league arms after he quickly mastered pitching at three different levels of the minors over the last two seasons. Franco topped out at High-A Charlotte in 2019, so he's likely to start the 2020 campaign at Double-A Montgomery. Jeff Passan of ESPN also reports Franco was set to play for the Dominican Republic team that was going to try and qualify for the 2020 Summer Olympics, but that event has now been postponed for at least several months due to concerns over the COVID-19 pandemic.