MLB Player News

Manager David Ross said there are no lingering issues with Baez's thumb, Jordan Bastian of MLB.com reports. "He's told me no. I've asked him that. I asked him that a while back with the training in the offseason, and I haven't heard anything from our training staff on that subject. So as far as I know, he's 100 percent."

A hairline fracture in Baez's left thumb kept the 27-year-old sidelined for the majority of September last season, but it doesn't sound like there are any concerns regarding the injury heading into the 2020 season. Baez, who avoided arbitration by signing a one-year, $10 million contract with the Cubs earlier in the offseason, hit .281/.316/.531 with 29 home runs and 11 stolen bases in 138 games in 2019.

Gordon (personal) is expected to report to the Mariners' camp Friday, Shannon Drayer of 710 ESPN Seattle reports.

Gordon's arrival to the Mariners' spring facility in Arizona has been delayed while he awaited the birth of his daughter, Demi. After taking the last few days off to spend time with his wife and the newborn, Gordon looks like he'll be ready to return to work over the weekend. The 31-year-old is expected to fill a super-utility role for Seattle in 2020 when the team is at full strength, though Mitch Haniger's (back/core muscle) expected absence for most of the first half of the season could open up regular reps for Gordon in the outfield.

Reyes was dealt an 80-game suspension without pay Wednesday after testing positive for a performance-enhancing substance, Adam Berry of MLB.com reports.

Reyes was not invited to spring training after being outrighted to Triple-A Indianapolis on January 16. The 26-year-old struggled to produce offensively for the Pirates in 2019, slashing .203/.274/.322 with 39 runs scored and 36 RBI throughout 157 plate appearances.

Diaz will make $2.6 million this season after winning his arbitration case, Jake Kaplan of The Athletic reports.

Diaz struggled to find a rhythm during his first season in Houston because of different trips to the injured list due to hamstring tightness and dizziness spells. The 29-year-old finished the year hitting .271/.356/.467 with 40 RBI and 36 runs scored throughout 247 plate appearances. Diaz is expected to open the season where he left off, namely, as a utility infielder who is a valuable pinch-hit option due to superior plate discipline that led to him drawing 26 walks while striking out just 28 times last season.

Urena was designated for assignment by the Orioles on Wednesday.

Urena was plucked off waivers from Toronto in late December but won't wind up making it to Opening Day on the Orioles' 40-man roster. Andrew Velazquez was claimed off waivers from Cleveland in a corresponding move.

Velazquez was claimed off waivers by the Orioles on Wednesday.

In Baltimore, Velazquez seems to find himself in a situation where at-bats will be easier to come by than they were in Cleveland. That's not to say Velazquez is a favorite to play a significant role for his new club, or even to make the roster, as he's slashed .152/.222/.242 across just 36 big-league plate appearances to date. Richard Urena was designated for assignment in a corresponding move.

Mondesi (shoulder) will play in games this spring, but not in Friday's spring opener against the Rangers, Lynn Worthy of The Kansas City Star reports.

Mondesi underwent shoulder surgery at the end of last season, but he remains on track for Opening Day, Alec Lewis of The Athletic reports. If he suffers a setback, Nicky Lopez would likely start at shortstop to open the season.

Crawford spent the offseason working with strength and conditioning coach James Clifton and put on 10 pounds of muscle, Greg Johns of MLB.com reports.

The 25-year-old frequently made a mockery of big-league pitching during a breakout June last season, slashing .338/.413/.569 with two home runs and 17 RBI across 16 games during the month. However, that surge was followed by a significant downturn over the last three months of the season, with Crawford hitting just .178 across his final 60 games and also missing some time due to a strained right hamstring. Both the extended slump and the injury pointed toward a need for Crawford to get stronger, hence his diligent offseason program aimed at achieving that goal. The promising shortstop, who flashed an improve glove last season, says he already feels the increased strength paying dividends in terms of both the exit velocity of his batted balls and his throws across the diamond.

Gordon won't join the Mariners on Tuesday for the team's first full-squad workout while he awaits the birth of his first child, Shannon Drayer of 710 ESPN Seattle reports.

Expect Gordon to remain at home for most of the week to spend time with his expanding family. The 31-year-old shouldn't be too far behind his teammates once he eventually reports to camp, but his exact role for the upcoming season likely won't be fleshed out until closer to Opening Day. With Seattle eyeing Shed Long and J.P. Crawford for everyday jobs in the middle infield and a host of youngsters competing for regular reps in the outfield, Gordon could be in store for more of a utility gig in 2020.

Manager Dave Martinez is expected to give Turner a look as the Nationals' No. 3 hitter during Grapefruit League games, Brittany Ghiroli of The Athletic reports.

While the Nationals brought in Eric Thames and Starlin Castro this offseason to help offset the departure of Anthony Rendon, neither player profiles as an adequate replacement for the two-time Silver Slugger in the heart of the order. Turner can't match Rendon's power, but his bat-to-ball skills probably make him the best internal candidate to offer protection in front of cleanup hitter Juan Soto. Should Martinez commit to using Turner as his No. 3 hitter, the 26-year-old could lose out on a good amount of running chances, though he would benefit from a major boost in his RBI count. Conversely, Victor Robles would likely assume Turner's old leadoff gig and would presumably see his stolen-base opportunities skyrocket. Per Mark Zuckerman of MASN Sports, Turner was taking reps at shortstop Tuesday in the Nats' first infield workout of the spring, which indicates he's made a full recovery from November surgery to repair a fractured index finger.