MLB Player News

Mondesi (oblique) has progressed to participating in batting practice at the alternate training site, Alec Lewis of The Athletic reports.

The 25-year-old began taking part in some baseball activities a couple weeks ago, but advancing to taking batting practice is a significant step as he returns from an oblique strain. Mondesi figures to be a couple weeks away from rejoining the Royals, and he'll likely take part in minor-league rehab games before returning to the majors.

Camargo was optioned to the alternate site Thursday.

Camargo used to have a locked-down place on Atlanta's bench, but he's fallen down the hierarchy in recent seasons. He didn't make the team's Opening Day roster but has already spent two brief stints with the team, going 0-for-11 in limited action. He'll likely keep bouncing on and off the roster throughout the year.

Baez (hamstring) went 1-for-4 with a triple, an RBI and a run scored in Thursday's win over Atlanta.

Baez had missed the previous three games with a hamstring strain, but he looked comfortable legging out his first triple of the season. The shortstop is still batting just .235, but he's talented enough to heat up quickly and start producing elite numbers.

Baez (hamstring) will start at shortstop and bat fifth Thursday against Atlanta.

Baez missed the last three games with a mild left hamstring strain, but the time off appears to have allowed him to recover from the injury. With a .276 OBP and a career-worst 43.2 percent strikeout rate over 81 plate appearances this season, Baez has been a disappointment from a real-life standpoint, but he's been productive for fantasy purposes with six home runs, five stolen bases, 17 RBI and 12 runs in 20 games.

Franco will open the season with Triple-A Durham, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

The 20-year-old phenom has yet to play above High-A and only spent 52 games at that level in 2019, but it's no surprise that the Rays see him as a Triple-A player following a year of development at the team's alternate training site. It would be no surprise if Franco dominates Triple-A pitching, as he has one of the best hit tools for a prospect in recent memory, as evidenced by his .336/.405/.523 slash line and 7.0 percent strikeout rate in 175 career minor-league games. The Rays have yet to offer much clarity on when he's expected to make his big-league debut, but his assignment to the highest level of the minors indicates they don't think he's far off.

DeJong isn't starting Thursday's game against the Phillies, Jeff Jones of the Belleville News-Democrat reports.

DeJong will get a breather after he went 0-for-7 with a walk, a run and two strikeouts in the last two contests. Edmundo Sosa will start at shortstop and bat eighth.

Bichette went 2-for-4 with a solo home run in Wednesday's 8-2 loss to the Nationals.

His eighth-inning shot off Daniel Hudson wrapped up the scoring on the night. Bichette snapped an 0-for-15 skid with this performance, and while his counting-stat production (six homers, three steals, 13 RBI and 17 runs through 23 games) is right on course, his .253 batting average is below expectations so far.

Turner went 4-for-5 with a double and two runs scored in Wednesday's 8-2 win over the Blue Jays.

The multitalented shortstop continues to rake. Over the last 13 games, Turner has seven multi-hit outings, slashing .373/.418/.667 during that stretch with four homers, four steals, six RBI and seven runs scored.

Ahmed went 2-for-4 with a double and two RBI in Wednesday's 12-3 loss to San Diego.

Ahmed has hit in four straight games after getting a two-day break last weekend. The shortstop opened the season in a miserable 3-for-41 slump but has turned things around during this hitting streak, going 6-for-13 with three doubles.

Mateo went 2-for-5 with a two-run home run in Wednesday's win over Arizona.

Mateo connected on a 405-foot shot to left field off Kevin Ginkel in the ninth inning for his first home run as a major leaguer. The long ball came in his 57th career big-league at-bat. Mateo is off to a slow start overall this season, slashing .226/.314/.387.