MLB Player News

Puason is projected to be a part of the Athletics' 60-man player pool that will report to the team's summer camp, Martin Gallegos of MLB.com reports.

Gallegos relays a report from MLB.com colleague Jesse Sanchez, who had a source confirm to him that the 17-year-old is slated to get his first taste of a big-league camp beginning July 1. Puason was considered one of the most talented members of the 2019 international signing class, and he secured an impressive $5.1 million bonus last summer. Puason may well be a bit wide-eyed alongside the large contingent of much more experienced, older players, but the fact the organization wants to invest a spot in the young Dominican underscores how talented a prospect he is.

Franco is expected to be part of the Rays' 60-man player pool that will report to the team's summer camp, Juan Toribio of MLB.com reports.

The prize prospect's expected inclusion means he's expected to report to Port Charlotte, one of the two sites the Rays will use for their summer camp. The 19-year-old will therefore have a chance to continue his development despite the expected absence of a 2020 minor-league season, with the opportunity to play against big-league talent in intrasquad games projected as one of the biggest benefits of the move. That also leaves open the admittedly remote possibility Franco shows enough to earn a spot on the active roster at some point during the 60-game campaign, although the Rays continue to prioritize his continuing education as a player above all else. "We're not going to force anything. We're not going to throw any additional expectations on him," Rays general manager Erik Neander said in February. "We just want to make sure that we do right by him, progress him in all aspects of his development as best as we can, and prepare him for one day being a Major League player."

Marte will be a part of the Mariners' taxi squad this season, Jesse Sanchez of MLB.com reports.

While prospects like Jarred Kelenic and Julio Rodriguez could get legitimate playing time in the majors as a part of Seattle's taxi squad, it seems unlikely Marte will get similar opportunities. He has never played stateside or above rookie ball, so while his future appears bright, his inclusion on the taxi squad is unlikely to result in notable playing time in the majors this season.

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.