MLB Player News

Bregman (quadriceps) will hit Friday and take groundballs Saturday, Christopher Smith of MassLive.com reports.

Bregman has been running since the start of June, but he hadn't yet resumed baseball activities. However, the third baseman will begin hitting and fielding groundballs this weekend, which is a big step in his recovery from a right quad strain. He isn't expected to return before the All-Star break, however.

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.

Ramirez (forearm) isn't part of the starting nine for Friday's game against the Cardinals.

Manager Stephen Vogt said earlier Friday that Ramirez likely wouldn't be able to play Friday due to a bruised right forearm. As expected, the third baseman is out of the lineup, yielding hot-corner duties to Daniel Schneemann. Ramirez should be considered day-to-day going forward.

The Red Sox placed Mayer on the bereavement list Friday, Chris Cotillo of MassLive.com reports.

Mayer will be away from the team temporarily as he tends to personal matters. Nick Sogard was recalled from Triple-A Worcester in a corresponding move. Per Christopher Smith of MassLive.com, Mayer is expected to return Monday.

Manager Stephen Vogt said on MLB Network Radio on SiriusXM that Ramirez (forearm) is "probably not going to be able to play" Friday against the Cardinals.

The 32-year-old had X-rays come back negative after being hit in the right forearm by a pitch Thursday versus Toronto, but it appears the contusion will still cause him to miss at least one game. Ramirez should be considered day-to-day until the Guardians update his status.

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.

McKinstry went 3-for-4 with a double, a triple, a run scored and two RBI in Thursday's 8-0 win over the Athletics. He also stole a base, though he was caught stealing once as well.

McKinstry did a little bit of everything to help lead the Tigers to a comfortable win in the series finale. The utility player is having a nice season with a .277 batting average, .793 OPS and nine stolen bases across 73 games, though he has seen his playing time dip a bit recently with Colt Keith getting more run at third base. However, with the Athletics starting lefty Jeffrey Springs, the right-handed McKinstry got the nod over the left-handed Keith on Thursday. That could be the arrangement moving forward, at least until Matt Vierling (shoulder) is able to return from the injured list.

Newman (personal) was reinstated from the paternity list Thursday.

Newman will return to action after being away from the team for three days while attending the birth of his child. The 31-year-old has produced a .222 average with a double, an RBI and four runs scored over 27 at-bats in June.

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.