DAVID FORST

If the universal designated hitter returns to the National League for good next season as many people believe, don’t be looking for the role to be filled with prototypical aging superstars who no longer play a position.

Oakland Athletics outfielder Ramón Laureano was suspended for 80 games without pay by the commissioner’s office Friday after testing positive for a performance-enhancing substance.

Buried in last place in the NL East, the Miami Marlins have made an impact on the AL West race with two trades.

(AP Photo/Ron Schwane, file)When Joe Musgrove reported to spring training to start his sixth big league season, a brown and gold No. 44 San Diego Padres jersey was hanging in his locker. 44 is a nod to Jake Peavy, the fiery right-hander Musgrove grew up cheering for. "The last few days here, it just feels right.”Musgrove was obtained in a trade with rebuilding Pittsburgh on Jan. 19, the third big trade Padres general manager A.J. Musgrove said he was an energetic and emotional player as a kid, which is why he idolized Peavy, the 2007 NL Cy Young Award winner.

Chicago Cubs' Yu Darvish throws in the first inning during a baseball game against the Cincinnati Reds in Cincinnati, Saturday, Aug. 29, 2020. Oakland returns to the Coliseum as Jess Luzardo (2-1, 3.74 ERA) faces Fernando Tatis Jr. and the Padres. General manager David Forst said Mengden is asymptomatic and was placed on the 10-day injured list. CHECK HIMThe Astros will see how second Jose Altuves knee is feeling, a day after he made an early exit. Asked if his tribute is going to become a regular thing for the rest of the season, the typically low-key Reynolds provided a typically low-key response.

The aggressive Padres landed Clevinger in a multiplayer swap with Cleveland, bolstering their rotation in a rare deadline deal between contenders. The trade deadline is normally July 31, but it was pushed back when the start of the season was delayed because of the coronavirus. BIG MIKE IS BACKMichael Pineda comes off the restricted list to make his season debut for Minnesota. RAYS UPAfter a decade spent chasing their big-budget AL East rivals, the Tampa Bay Rays are pummeling the New York Yankees. Washington slugger Juan Soto has 11 homers in just 24 games played this season after going deep twice Monday night.

Oakland Athletics players celebrate after Matt Olson, center left, hit a grand slam home run against the Los Angeles Angels in the tenth inning a baseball game in Oakland, Calif., Friday, July 24, 2020. According to STATS, Olson became the third player to hit a walkoff grand slam on opening day. The game went to the 10th tied at 3 after Jason Castros tying homer in the ninth against As closer Liam Hendriks. The Angels didn't deliver a win for Maddon in his Angels managerial debut. UP NEXTLHP Sean Manaea, who went 4-0 last season in September after returning from shoulder surgery before losing the wild card game, pitches Saturday opposite Angels RHP Dylan Bundy.

PHOENIX Baseball's bubble-free environment is an anomaly as the sports world tries to come back amid the coronavirus pandemic. Arizona Diamondbacks GM Mike Hazen said he'll be constantly reminding everyone in his organization about the delicacy of the current situation. The younger guys that are single that, you know, tend to be a little bit more social, Woodward said. The first step toward a successful season is getting all the players to their home cities. Chicago White Sox GM Rick Hahn said his team's travel department has a busy week ahead, but that they've been planning on this scenario for quite a while.