MLB Player News

McNeil is being prepared for a utility role with the Mets, Tim Healey of Newsday reports.

McNeil has been primarily a second baseman in the minor leagues but has been given some time at third base recently. The Mets have a hole at third currently, with Todd Frazier out with a rib injury and Jose Reyes hitting a miserable .164/.246/.227. McNeil could be the answer there, as he's hit an excellent .344/.415/.629 through 79 games split between Double-A Binghamton and Triple-A Las Vegas so far this year, though he's also a 26-year-old with minimal prospect pedigree and questions about his defense.

Marte is not in the lineup against Atlanta on Friday.

Marte will receive a day off following four straight starts as Daniel Descalso gets the nod at second base for the series opener. After a blistering start to the month of June, Marte is hitting just .217/.319/.417 since June 22.

Beckham was optioned to Triple-A Tacoma on Friday.

Beckham has played in just 13 games for the the Mariners this season, going 7-for-35 (.200 average) with one extra-base hit during his brief opportunities with the club. He will return to the minors in order to receive everyday at-bats in exchange for a couple fresh arms to bolster Seattle's bullpen heading into the weekend.

Polanco went 1-for-4 with a double, RBI and stolen base Thursday against the Rays.

Polanco had a productive night at the plate and on the basepaths, as he extended his hitting streak to a modest three games while also swiping his second base since returning to the lineup July 2. He hasn't gotten going at the plate in 40 at-bats this season, recording four RBI and three extra-base hits. However, his two stolen bases do present the case for patience to see if the rest of his skills can return to the form he showed in the second half of the 2017 season.

Kemp went 1-for-2 with a two-run home run and a steal in Thursday's loss to the A's.

It was one of Kemp's best games of the season as he contributed with his bat and on the basepaths with his seventh steal in as many tries. He continues to produce when given the opportunity and is slashing a solid .297/.392/.432, but the Astros' crowded outfield rotation makes it tough for him to secure regular playing time.

Solarte is out of Thursday's starting lineup against Boston.

Solarte will take a seat after going 5-for-19 with no extra-base hits and two walks over his last five games. Aledmys Diaz is penciled into the lineup at third, with Lourdes Gurriel getting the nod at shortstop.

Torres (hip) took groundballs prior to Thursday's tilt against Cleveland, Pete Caldera of The Bergen Record reports.

Torres is starting to ramp up his baseball activity as he nears a rehab assignment. He's expected to get some minor-league at-bats sometime during the All-Star break, and if all goes well, the 21-year-old second baseman could return for the Yankees' first series with the Mets after the break.

Bostick underwent an emergency appendectomy two weeks ago and is expected to be activated from Triple-A Indianapolis' 7-day disabled list before the end of the month, Adam Berry of MLB.com reports.

Bostick was hitting .291/.343/.437 across 285 plate appearances at Indianapolis this season prior to being shut down in late June following the procedure. The 25-year-old possesses a spot on the 40-man roster and could be recalled from Triple-A when rosters expand in September to offer the Pirates another utility option.

Rosario is not in the lineup against Washington on Thursday.

Rosario will take a seat following four straight starts, including a 2-for-3 showing with a double and one run scored during Wednesday's victory over Philadelphia. In his place, Jose Reyes will start at shortstop and bat eighth.

Albies went 2-for-4 with two home runs and four RBI in Wednesday's 9-5 win over the Blue Jays.

Albies now has an even 20 homers on the year to go along with a .288/.325/.529 slash line, as well as his first appearance in the All-Star Game.