MLB Player News

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.

Diaz (shoulder) is on the field for team workouts Sunday, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.

The 29-year-old was absent from workouts the past two days due to shoulder soreness that cropped up from sleeping on his shoulder wrong, but his quick return confirms it to be a minor issue. Diaz will be the primary reserve option across all four infield spots for the Astros in 2020.

Gordon, who wasn't present for Friday's first summer camp workout, participated in Saturday's session and took live batting practice, Greg Johns of MLB.com

Gordon was part of the morning session and stepped into the box against Justin Dunn, whom he promptly lined a single against in his first at-bat. The veteran infielder is projected to serve in a reserve capacity behind Shed Long at second base during the shortened 2020 season, but his ability to also fill in at shortstop and even center field could potentially lead to a serviceable amount of playing time.

Diaz was held out of workouts Friday and Saturday with shoulder soreness, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.

Manager Dusty Baker said Saturday that Diaz slept on his shoulder wrong, which led to his absence from workouts for several days. However, the 29-year-old is expected to resume activities within the coming days. Diaz will be the primary backup at all four infield positions if he can remain healthy heading into the regular season.

Wendle participated in infield drills during the Rays' first workout of summer camp Friday, Juan Toribio of MLB.com reports.

The valued utility man got back into the swing of things alongside his teammates in the Rays' largest team workout in nearly four months. Wendle is expected to once again fill in at a number of positions this coming season, and he focused on increasing his arm strength this past offseason in order to be more effective when manning shortstop and third base.

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.

Herrera has been named to the Yankees' 60-man roster.

Herrera is not on the Yankees' 40-man roster, so he's unlikely to make much of a major-league impact this season. The 27-year-old did impress this spring, hitting .400 with four extra-base hits and four RBI in 25 at-bats.

Tejada will be a part of the Blue Jays' 60-man roster.

Tejada spent the majority of 2019 with Triple-A Syracuse, slashing .326/.404/.471 with six home runs and 42 RBI over 73 games before he was released by the Mets in late August. He was a non-roster invitee for the Blue Jays this spring and went 3-for-18 with five RBI and four runs. The team has young talent in their major-league middle infield heading into 2020, but Tejada could compete for a veteran role with the team once play resumes.

Smith will be a part of the Blue Jays' 60-man roster.

Smith progressed to Double-A in 2019, where he hit .206/.261/.396 with 19 home runs and 11 stolen bases, but he also had a 32.4 percent strikeout rate. He was invited to big-league camp this spring and went 4-for-26 with six RBI and 11 strikeouts. The 23-year-old will get a chance to develop with the 60-man roster once the 2020 season gets underway.

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.