MLB Player News

Mauricio started at second base and went 1-for-3 with a walk in Friday's 9-1 loss to the Pirates.

The 24-year-old was a candidate to get optioned back to Triple-A Syracuse when Mark Vientos (hamstring) was activated from the injured list Friday, but Mauricio's recent performance earned him a reprieve. Counting Friday's contest, Mauricio has now hit safely in six of his last seven games, going 8-for-24 (.33) with a double and a home run. He also has a 1:8 BB:K during that time, however, and plate discipline remains the biggest obstacle between Mauricio and a true breakout. With Vientos and Brett Baty handling third base and designated hitter duties, the Mets are keeping Mauricio in the lineup at the keystone while Jeff McNeil gets time in center field. However, Mauricio's path to regular playing time could get more complicated when Jesse Winker (oblique) returns from the IL in the next week or two. If Mauricio seems likely to fall into a bench role at that point, a return to Triple-A might be the best route for his development.

Shaw went 2-for-4 with two doubles and three RBI in Friday's 7-4 loss to the Astros.

It's been an up-and-down rookie campaign for Shaw, but he's shown flashes such as he did Friday, setting a new season and career best with the three RBI. It was also the second time this year that the 23-year-old tallied two doubles in a contest. Shaw is still slashing just .222/.297/.318 overall, though he's seeing pretty regular playing time as Chicago's primary option at third base, and he has the talent to get on a hot streak at any point.

Suarez went 2-for-4 in Friday's 9-8 loss to the Marlins.

Suarez returned to action after missing two games with a hand injury following a hit-by-pitch in Monday's contest against the White Sox. Discounting Monday's game, when Suarez had just one plate appearance, Friday's multi-hit effort was his fourth in the last five contests. The third baseman has gone 12-for-22 (.545) with four home runs and nine RBI during that stretch.

Muncy went 1-for-3 with a walk and a two-run home run during Friday's 5-4 win over the Royals.

Muncy has been running hot at the plate. Including Friday's effort, he is 7-for-16 with four home runs and 15 RBI over his last four games, carrying the load for a Dodgers squad that has won five games in a row. The 34-year-old is up to 53 RBI while slashing .251/.377/.465 on the season.

Suarez (hand) is starting at third base and batting fifth against the Marlins on Friday.

Suarez was hit on his right hand by a pitch against the White Sox on Monday, which caused him to miss the last two games of the series. He participated in light batting practice Wednesday, and he has since been cleared to return to the lineup for Friday's series opener. Suarez has slashed .307/.354/.760 with 10 home runs and 25 RBI in 82 plate appearances since the beginning of June.

Schmitt (wrist) is out of the lineup for Friday's game against the White Sox, Justice delos Santos of The San Jose Mercury News reports.

The 26-year-old was diagnosed with a bone bruise as a CT scan came back clean after Schmitt was hit by a pitch on the wrist Wednesday, though Schmitt said that "it's pretty messed up in there." He's been filling in as San Francisco's primary third baseman with Matt Chapman (hand) on the shelf, but Schmitt is now in danger of missing some time himself.

The Mets activated Vientos (hamstring) from the 10-day injured list Friday.

Vientos is in the lineup for Friday's series opener in Pittsburgh, batting sixth against Pirates right-hander Mitch Keller. Vientos has been sidelined since June 2 and is slashing an underwhelming .230/.298/.380 with six home runs, 21 RBI and 22 runs scored across 208 plate appearances this season.

Schmitt's CT scan on his injured left wrist came back negative Thursday, Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.

Schmitt was hit by a pitch on his left wrist Wednesday and was held out of the lineup Thursday versus Miami. The versatile infielder underwent imaging, the results of which showed that he doesn't have a fracture. It's not yet clear if Schmitt will need to miss additional time, and for now he can be considered day-to-day.

Alvarez departed Triple-A Gwinnett's game on Thursday due to an oblique strain, Mark Bowman of MLB.com reports.

The severity of the strain has not been revealed, but he is surely headed to the 7-day injured list. Alvarez began this season on the major-league IL with a wrist injury before being activated and optioned earlier this month. Heading into action Thursday, Alvarez has slashed .379/.561/.552 with one homer and a 4:9 K:BB in nine games with Gwinnett.

Vientos (hamstring) said Thursday that he will be reinstated from the injured list Friday for the start of the Mets' series against Pittsburgh, Anthony DiComo of MLB.com reports.

Vientos rejoined the team in New York on Thursday after playing seven rehab games at Triple-A Syracuse, during which he went 5-for-28 with six RBI and four runs scored. He'll receive an extra day off to rest before rejoining the active roster, at which point he'll likely take over as the Mets' primary DH while making an occasional start in the infield.