Newman (finger) fielded balls at shortstop Sunday, Bill Brink of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.

EDGE Analysis

Newman is already eligible to return, but it remains unclear when exactly he's expected to do so. When he does get back, it will likely be in a utility role, as recently-promoted prospect Cole Tucker should receive regular at-bats at shortstop.

Newman (finger) has resumed hitting and throwing, John Perrotto of DKPittsburghSports.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Newman has been on the 10-day injured list for a little less than a week. While this is certainly a step in the right direction for the young infielder, he remains without a timetable for his return.

Newman was placed on the 10-day injured list with a laceration on his right middle finger Thursday.

EDGE Analysis

The move is retroactive to April 9, so Newman could be back in action as soon as April 19. Kevin Kramer was recalled from Triple-A Indianapolis to take his place on the roster.

After serving strictly as a pinch runner during the team's first four contests, Newman has made three starts in the last five games.

EDGE Analysis

He made three errors Monday and his fielding percentage (.700) is now barely above his OPS (.697). Newman gained some credibility with a walk-off double Saturday, but gave some of it back with Monday's struggles. Fellow shortstop Erik Gonzalez is hitting .160 in 25 at-bats, leaving the door open for Newman. The 2015 first-round draft pick, who has three hits in 11 at-bats, could see more time -- provided he picks up his defense.

Newman went 2-for-4 with a walkoff RBI double against the Reds on Saturday.

EDGE Analysis

He played second base while starter Adam Frazier came off the bench to serve as a pinch hitter. Newman got his second start in three games but will likely have to wait for starting shortstop Erik Gonzalez to struggle before he gets a chance to regularly contribute. Newman has the potential to hit for a high batting average and steal some bases with opportunity.

Newman made his first start of the season at shortstop Thursday, going 0-for-3 with an RBI groundout.

EDGE Analysis

Fellow shortstop Erik Gonzalez has started four of the team's first five games, keeping Newman mostly tied to the bench. Gonzalez's play has been up and down, however, and Newman could work his way into the mix. The 2015 first-round pick has also practiced with the outfielders, a move that could increase his versatility.

General manager Neal Huntington said Monday that Newman will open the season as a reserve middle infielder after Erik Gonzalez was named the team's starting shortstop, Rob Biertempfel of The Athletic reports.

EDGE Analysis

According to Adam Berry of MLB.com, Huntington cited Gonzalez's superior defense as the main reason the 27-year-old won out over Newman in the job battle. A 2015 first-round pick, Newman reached the big leagues for the first time last season but failed to make much of an impact in 97 plate appearances, slashing a middling .209/.247/.231. Newman has shown the ability to hit for average and steal bases at a decent clip in the minors, but his dearth of power and a lack of high-end speed will make it a challenge for him to contribute meaningful counting-stats production if he eventually claims a full-time role with Pittsburgh.

Newman went 3-for-4 with a double, homer and three RBI against the Phillies on Thursday.

EDGE Analysis

He also stole his first base of the spring. Newman's big game may have moved him ahead of Erik Gonzalez in the starting shortstop competition. Gonzalez is batting just .120 in 25 Grapefruit League at-bats. Newman holds a career .288 batting average in the minors and stole 28 bases at Triple-A in 2018.

Barring a late acquisition, Newman is expected to either start at shortstop or serve as a backup middle infielder heading into the 2019 campaign.

EDGE Analysis

The 2015 first-round draft pick will compete with newcomer Erik Gonzalez for the starting shortstop spot. "He's a different guy this spring than we saw last September," general manager Neal Huntington said. Newman lost 15 pounds during the course of last summer and was likely physically sapped by the time he made his major league debut in August. Since then, he's worked with the team's nutrition director to help him maintain his weight. Newman slashed .302/.350/.407 at Triple-A and stole a career-high 28 bases in 39 attempts. While he disappointed during his short time in Pittsburgh -- he hit .209 in 91 at-bats with zero steals, the 25-year-old holds a .288 career batting average in the minor leagues.

Manager Clint Hurdle indicated Newman would compete with Erik Gonzalez for the Pirates' starting shortstop job during spring training, Adam Berry of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

With Jordy Mercer now in Detroit and Josh Harrison still sitting on the open market, the Pirates have vacancies for both of their middle-infield spots. While Adam Frazier is seemingly in pole position for duties at the keystone, the battle between Newman and Gonzalez, an offseason pickup from the Indians, should prove to be the more competitive job battle. Heading into camp, Newman is probably behind Gonzalez in the pecking order after slashing just .209/.247/.231 in his first taste of the big leagues last season. Gonzalez, meanwhile, didn't receive many opportunities to play behind Francisco Lindor in Cleveland the past three seasons, but he's well regarded for his dynamic defense and owns a respectable .263 batting average at the MLB level.