MLB Player News

Owings has a pretty good chance to make the Rockies' Opening Day roster as a second utility player, along with Garrett Hampson, particularly with the 30-man roster for the first two weeks, Thomas Harding of MLB.com reports.

An interesting aspect of manager Bud Black's comments about Owings is how he equates him with Hampson. "You have two weapons -- two good weapons," Black said. "You have the speed weapon. You've got a sneaky power weapon. You've got two guys that play the game the right way. They can be pests, per se, to the opposition. So it's nice to have two of them. As the game rolls on, whether they're both starting whether one of them starting whether they're both on the bench. With the 30-man roster, it's advantageous. ... And for a 26-man roster, they might be advantageous, also."

Garcia could contribute in the majors this season, according to manager David Bell, C. Trent Rosecrans of The Athletic reports.

Bell noted how strong Garcia is coming on in camp, despite the fact he has never played above High-A. Another factor in Garcia's favor is that the Reds basically have nothing behind Freddy Galvis (who has been mentoring Garcia) at shortstop. This is a nice vote of confidence from Bell, but it would be borderline unprecedented for Garcia to skip over Double-A and Triple-A and be a quality big-league hitter in 2020 if he were forced into action due to his plus defense at shortstop.

DeJong drove in all four runs for his team in Thursday night's intrasquad game at Busch Stadium, Anne Rogers of MLB.com reports.

The slugger, who's projected to typically hit out of the cleanup spot this coming season, drove in a pair of runs with a first-inning single and then added a two-run home run in the fourth and final frame of the game. DeJong has received praise from manager Mike Shildt for his consistent approach in every simulated game the Cardinals have played thus far, and Thursday's production was also encouraging when considering the shortstop hit an anemic .193 with runners in scoring position in 2019.

Mateo has tested positive for COVID-19, Jeff Sanders of The San Diego Union-Tribune reports.

Mateo was traded to the Padres in late June, but manager Jayce Tingler revealed Wednesday that Mateo has tested positive for COVID-19. The 25-year-old is experiencing some symptoms, but Tingler said that those symptoms are improving. Mateo was expected to fill a major-league roster spot to begin the season due to his lack of remaining minor-league options, but it's unclear whether he'll be ready for the start of the 2020 campaign. Under MLB protocol, he'll have to test negative twice before he's able to rejoin the team.

Berti could play five or six times a week as the Marlins' super-utility player during the compacted schedule, Joe Frisaro of MLB.com reports.

His most likely defensive homes are in center field or middle infield, but Berti is preparing to play just about anywhere. "We have three weeks [to Opening Day]," Berti said Monday. "Kind of every other day, pick an infield spot for one day, and the next day pick an outfield spot. Just work on that for the time being until we're comfortable with where our legs are at." The 30-year-old journeyman was one of the surprise fantasy performers of the 2019 campaign, slashing .273/.348/.406 with 17 steals in 20 attempts over only 73 big-league games, and consistent playing time could allow him to make an impact in SBs once again.

The Padres acquired Mateo from the Athletics on Tuesday in exchange for a player to be named later, Jeff Passan of ESPN.com reports.

The 25-year-old was set to report to Oakland for summer camp this week as a member of the team's 60-man roster pool, but he'll instead end up making his way to San Diego. Mateo was somewhat buried on the depth chart behind Franklin Barreto and Tony Kemp at second base with the A's, and his immediate outlook could be a bit more optimistic with the Padres. Fernando Tatis has shortstop locked down while Jurickson Profar, Greg Garcia and Ty France are the top options at the keystone. Mateo has no remaining minor-league options and as a result is likely to be a member of the season-opening, 30-man roster, even if he only ends up filling a bench role.

Shewmake will be a part of the Braves' 60-man roster, Gabe Burns of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports.

Shewmake was the 21st overall pick in the 2019 first-year player draft, and he was invited to the Braves' big-league camp this spring as a non-roster invitee. He wasn't particularly effective, hitting .231/.333/.308 with three runs and two RBI over 15 plate appearances before being reassigned to minor-league camp. However, the 22-year-old will get a chance to develop as a part of the team's 60-man roster pool in 2020.

Marcano will be part of the Padres' 60-man summer camp.

Marcano has never struck out more than 8.9 percent of the time and has plus speed on the bases, but he has very little power right now and could stand to add strength to his 6-foot, 170-pound frame. He has never played above Low-A and is unlikely to see MLB action in 2020.

Abrams will be part of the Padres' 60-man summer camp.

Abrams is the Padres' top prospect for dynasty leagues, but his inclusion in the player pool is for developmental purposes rather than to help the big-league squad in 2020. Perhaps his speed and defense could be an asset in a pinch, but he will likely reach the majors for the first time in 2022 or 2023.

Cruz was named to the Pirates' 60-man player pool Sunday.

Cruz hit .217 with one homer and four RBI in 23 at-bats during February and March, and an 11:1 K:BB shows he likely needs more time in the minors. The 6-foot-7 infielder slashed .298/.356/.475 with eight homers and 11 steals in 265 at-bats split between three minor-league levels in 2019. He remains one of the organization's brightest offensive prospects, but it will take a number of injuries for him to garner playing time in Pittsburgh before 2021.