MLB Player News

Mead is batting .308/.402/.549 with four homers, 10 doubles and a 10:15 BB:K through 25 games for Double-A Montgomery.

Mead entered the season with a reputation as a high-contact, doubles-over-homers hitter (15 long balls and 38 doubles across three levels last year), and that's exactly what he's been so far in 2022. The power production may never be elite, but he's just 21 and has time to grow into more; meanwhile, with his gap-to-gap approach and low strikeout rate, it looks like he'll have a great shot at hitting for average in the majors.

Urias (abdomen) is unavailable for Thursday's game against the Cardinals, Zachary Silver of MLB.com reports.

The 27-year-old was scratched from Tuesday's lineup with abdominal discomfort, and he'll be unavailable for a third consecutive game to close out the series in St. Louis. Rylan Bannon is starting at third base after being recalled Thursday, while Urias won't be available as a bench option. However, Urias remains day-to-day ahead of the Orioles' upcoming series in Detroit.

Kreidler (hand) has recently been participating in strengthening activities, Cody Stavenhagen of The Athletic reports.

Kreidler underwent surgery on his fractured right hand in late April, but he's been able to work on his recovery approximately two weeks after the procedure. The 24-year-old still has several steps to take before he's in consideration to return to game action, but he's progressing well so far.

The Cardinals activated Sosa (illness) from the COVID-19 injured list Thursday.

He'll assume the active roster spot of Kramer Robertson, who was optioned to Triple-A Memphis in a corresponding move. Sosa has been on the IL since testing positive for the virus May 3, but he cleared all COVID-19-related protocols a week later and played in rehab games Tuesday and Wednesday at Double-A Springfield, going a combined 3-for-8 at the plate. Though he'll be on the bench for Thursday's game against the Orioles as he rejoins the Cardinals, Sosa should get the chance to vie for an everyday role at shortstop following the demotion of Paul DeJong to Triple-A earlier in the week. Brendan Donovan will pick up his third consecutive start at shortstop Thursday.

Escobar is out of the lineup for Thursday's game against the Nationals, Tim Healey of Newsday reports.

Escobar will get a day off to mentally reset himself while he remains in the midst of a rough stretch at the plate. Through his first nine starts in May, Escobar is getting on base at a .205 clip and has provided just one extra-base hit (a double). Luis Guillorme will fill in for the veteran at third base.

Walls went 1-for-4 with a run scored and a stolen base in Wednesday's 4-2 extra-inning win over the Angels.

The 25-year-old continues to get regular playing time, primarily at third base, but he hasn't been able to do much with those opportunities. Walls is slashing .189/.310/.297 through 87 plate appearances, and while his five steals on the season are useful, they come with only one homer, three RBI and eight runs.

Newman (groin) is expected to begin a rehab assignment "in the coming days," Jake Crouse of MLB.com reports.

Newman will test his injury by running the bases by the end of the week. Assuming that goes well, he'll begin what will likely be a relatively lengthy rehab assignment. Newman was expected to miss 3-to-5 weeks after landing on the injured list April 27, and he appears likely to return in the middle of that estimate.

Wisdom went 2-for-4 with an RBI and a run scored in Wednesday's win over the Padres.

Wisdom returned from a bruised ankle Monday after sitting out Sunday's game, and he looks just fine after starting the last three contests. The 30-year-old has a .744 OPS this season with 16 RBI and 16 runs scored across 28 games. The Cubs have played 30 games total, so Wisdom has been a lineup fixture, despite the presence of Jonathan Villar in a super-utility role.

High-A Aberdeen activated Prieto (hamstring) from the 7-day injured list ahead of Wednesday's game against Hudson Valley.

He'll start at second base and bat sixth as he makes his return to the Aberdeen lineup following a two-week absence due to a strained right hamstring. Before picking up the injury, the 23-year-old slashed .328/.378/.701 with seven home runs and two stolen bases across 74 plate appearances with Aberdeen.

Urias (abdomen) isn't starting Wednesday against the Cardinals, Roch Kubatko of MASNSports.com reports.

Urias wasn't in Tuesday's lineup due to abdominal discomfort, and he'll be excluded from the starting nine once again Wednesday. Whether he's available off the bench isn't yet known, but Tyler Nevin will start at the hot corner and bat seventh.