MLB Player News

Vientos isn't in the Mets' lineup for Saturday's game versus the Giants, Tim Healey of Newsday reports.

The Mets will give Vientos a day off after the third baseman belted his third home run of the season during Friday's loss. Brett Baty will man the hot corner and bat eighth while Vientos sits.

Vientos went 1-for-4 with a walk, a solo home run and a second run scored in Friday's loss to the Giants.

The 24-year-old continues to stake a claim to the starting job at third base ahead of Brett Baty. Since getting called back up to the majors May 15, Vientos has gone 8-for-25 (.320) with six extra-base hits, including two of his three big-league homers this season, and a 4:6 BB:K.

Espinal started at third base and went 0-for-2 with two walks, a steal and a run scored in Friday's 9-6 win over the Dodgers.

Espinal's stolen base was his sixth in 38 games played, tying a career high he had in 2021 (92 games) and 2022 (135 games) while with the Blue Jays. The Reds tend to be aggressive on the basepaths, and Espinal has taken advantage of more playing time than was expected when the team acquired him late in spring training.

Burger went 2-for-4 with a solo home run and an additional run scored in Friday's 3-0 win over the Diamondbacks.

Burger has gone 8-for-63 (.127) over 16 games since he returned from an oblique injury, with Friday's effort being his second multi-hit game in that span. He's yet to find a rhythm at the plate, and he was slumping just before the injury too. Burger is slashing .175/.211/.300 with four homers, 17 RBI, 11 runs scored and three doubles over 128 plate appearances this season, though he remains in a starting role for a Marlins team that has no plans to contend in 2024.

Atlanta manager Brian Snitker noted Friday that Riley (side) is likely to remain out until Monday's series opener against the Nationals, Mark Bowman of MLB.com reports.

Riley has been sidelined due to a left intercostal strain he sustained May 12 against the Mets. Despite the length of his absence, Atlanta did not place the 27-year-old third baseman on the 10-day IL in hopes he could return sooner, but Riley appears on track to rejoin the lineup following a weekend series against the Pirates. Prior to his injury, Riley was slashing .245/.319/.388 with eight doubles, three home runs and 18 RBI over 163 plate appearances.

Hernandez is out of the lineup for Friday's game against the Reds.

Hernandez will take a seat after making six consecutive appearances. Miguel Rojas will man third base and bat ninth.

McMahon isn't in the lineup for Friday's game against the Phillies.

The lefty-hitting McMahon will avoid a matchup with lefty Cristopher Sanchez on Friday. Alan Trejo will start at third base and bat ninth. McMahon has homered in three of his last four games and has scored a run in eight straight outings.

Riley (side) is out of the lineup for Friday's game against the Pirates, Justin Toscano of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports.

Riley will miss an 11th consecutive start Friday with a left intercostal strain. Despite the lengthy absence, it seems Riley is close to returning after swinging a bat Tuesday. Zack Short will start at third and bat ninth Friday.

Candelario batted third and went 1-for-4 for with a walk, a triple, an RBI and a caught stealing in Thursday's 6-4 extra-inning loss to the Padres.

Candelario tripled a run home in the first inning then was thrown out at home on a double-steal attempt to end the frame. He was later removed for a pinch runner in the 10th inning after he had walked. A recent hot stretch prompted a move up the batting order; Candelario has batted third or fourth in four straight contests. Over his last 12 contests, he's slashing .261/.320/.457 with four doubles, a triple, a homer, four runs and seven RBI.

Chapman went 2-for-5 with a three-run home run in Thursday's 7-6 win over the Pirates.

Chapman's swing is rounding into form -- he's got a homer in three straight games, and he's hitting .405 (17-for-42) with six walks during an 11-game on-base streak. The third baseman's blast Thursday sparked the Giants' eighth-inning rally. He's up to a .249/.313/.440 slash line with eight homers, 27 RBI, five stolen bases and 33 runs scored through 50 contests overall.