MLB Player News

Ortiz is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Padres.

Ortiz had started at third base in each of the past three games while going 2-for-7 with a walk and a run scored, but he'll give way to Oliver Dunn for the series finale. The rookie has reached base at a .425 clip so far this season and should continue to remain ahead of Dunn on the depth chart with Dunn's production at the plate having slowed after a hot start to the season.

Baty (hamstring) said Wednesday that he's optimistic that he'll avoid the 10-day injured list, Anthony DiComo of MLB.com reports.

Baty experienced left hamstring tightness during Tuesday's 3-1 win over the Pirates and is out of the lineup for Wednesday's series finale. However, he's feeling much better a day later and won't be sent in for imaging, leaving him confident that he'll be ready to play in a few days. The Mets have an off day Thursday, providing the young third baseman an extra day of rest before he perhaps returns to action this weekend against the Dodgers.

Hayes (back) is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Mets.

Hayes was a late scratch ahead of Tuesday's 3-1 loss due to lower-back tightness, so it's not a surprise he's not ready to play in the series finale Wednesday. He missed about a month of action last season with the same injury and still has to manage back issues on occasion. At this point, he's considered day-to-day. Jared Triolo will start at third base Wednesday in place of Hayes.

Baty (hamstring) is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Pirates, Anthony DiComo of MLB.com reports.

Baty will hit the bench after exiting Tuesday's 3-1 win over the Pirates with left hamstring tightness, but he might have been a candidate to sit even if fully healthy with Pittsburgh bringing a left-hander (Bailey Falter) to the hill. The Mets seem to be viewing Baty as day-to-day and are hopeful that a day off Wednesday plus Thursday's team off day might provide sufficient time for him to move past the hamstring issue. Zack Short gets the nod at third base Wednesday in Baty's stead.

Smith is out of the lineup for Wednesday's contest in Detroit.

Southpaw Tarik Skubal will toe the rubber for the Tigers, so the left-handed-hitting Smith will take a seat. Davis Wendzel will handle third-base duties for the Rangers.

Urshela is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Rangers, Chris McCosky of The Detroit News reports.

Urshela will see his streak of four consecutive starts come to an end as the Tigers give him a breather for a day game after a night game. Zach McKinstry will step in for Urshela at third base.

Rivera is absent from the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Giants, Jordan McPherson of the Miami Herald reports.

Rivera has been getting regular reps at third base since Jake Burger (intercostal) landed on the injured list, but he'll begin the series finale on the bench. Otto Lopez will occupy the hot corner for Miami.

Clement went 2-for-4 with a double, two runs scored and a stolen base in Tuesday's 5-4 win over the Yankees.

Getting the start at third base and batting seventh, Clement delivered his second straight multi-hit performance and fourth of the season. The 28-year-old utility player predictably hasn't been able to match his blistering spring now that the games count, but he's become a useful part of Toronto's mix-and-match infield, batting .289 (11-for-38) with three doubles, a homer, a steal, two RBI and eight runs while making appearances at third base (nine), shortstop (four), second base (one) and even left field (one).

Chapman went 2-for-4 with a solo home run a double in Tuesday's 6-3 loss to the Marlins.

Chapman has two homers over the last four games and four on the year. The third baseman's blast Tuesday opened the scoring in the second inning. His power is a welcome sight after he hit just 17 homers in 2023, but he's batting just .205 with 11 RBI, 12 runs scored, a stolen base and three doubles through 18 contests so far in 2024.

Westburg went 2-for-4 with a double and a two-run home run in Tuesday's 11-3 win over the Twins.

Westburg helped break the game open in the third inning, launching a two-run shot off Chris Paddack to extend Baltimore's lead to 6-0. The 25-year-old Westburg has recorded at least one hit in five straight games, going 10-for-20 with two home runs and six RBI in that span. He's now slashing .316/.381/.614 through his first 64 plate appearances this year with four homers, two stolen bases, 14 RBI and 11 runs scored while serving as Baltimore's primary third baseman.