MLB Player News

The Mets don't anticipate that McCann (oblique) will be ready to return from the 10-day injured list prior to the Aug. 2 trade deadline, David Lennon of Newsday reports.

Manager Buck Showalter didn't offer up a firm timeline for McCann's return from the IL when he was deactivated Sunday, but the skipper noted the veteran backstop would be sidelined for multiple weeks. As a result, McCann's expected absence through the deadline doesn't come as a major surprise, and it could prompt the Mets to look to the trade market for catching help. Top prospect Francisco Alvarez is waiting in the wings at Triple-A Syracuse, but Anthony DiComo of MLB.com suggests that the organization still intends on having him continuing his development in the minors in 2022. With that in mind, Tomas Nido will tentatively slot in as the Mets' No. 1 backstop until the Mets bring in outside help at the position.

Jackson (finger) began a rehab assignment Saturday with the Brewers' rookie-level Arizona Complex League affiliate, going 1-for-1 with a double, a walk and a run.

Jackson started at catcher but played only three innings before his day was done. He'll likely make several more starts behind the dish in the minors before the Brewers activate him from the 10-day injured list.

Stephenson went 3-for-5 with a two-run homer in Sunday's 10-5 win over the Rays.

Stephenson took Shane Baz deep as part of the Reds' seven-run third frame. He's gone 5-for-9 in two games since returning from a month-long stint on the injured list. The 25-year-old improved his season slash line to .320/.372/.493 with six home runs and 33 RBI through 164 plate appearances. Since the start of June, Stephenson is 14-for-35 (.400) with four extra-base hits in nine games.

Diaz is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Diamondbacks, Patrick Lyons of TheDNVR.com reports.

Diaz and Brian Serven have now alternated starts behind the plate over the past six games, with the latter getting the nod at catcher in Sunday's series finale. With a 2-for-23 mark at the plate over his last seven games, Diaz hasn't made a good case for running away with the No. 1 catcher job.

Cartaya returned from a hand injury Thursday, but he's gone 0-for-8 with five strikeouts in two games for High-A Great Lakes since getting back into the lineup.

Cartaya received two pieces of good news Thursday -- he was selected to the 2022 Futures Game and was also back in the lineup for Great Lakes after leaving last Sunday's contest due to an apparent hand injury. The backstop struck out twice in his first game back and three times the following day, but there's no indication that the hand issue is to blame. Cartaya is still posting a strong .292/.414/.542 slash line along with five homers, nine doubles and 17 RBI over 25 games at the High-A level this season.

Gomes is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Dodgers.

P.J. Higgins will step in behind the dish for the series finale after Gomes caught each of the Cubs' last three games while going 0-for-9. Though top backstop Willson Contreras appears to have moved past a hamstring injury, he still may see ample starts as a designated hitter during the final week before the All-Star break, which should continue to open up reps at catcher for Gomes.

Perez is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Brewers.

With a southpaw (Eric Lauer) on the hill for Milwaukee, the lefty-hitting Perez will take a seat in the series finale. Jason Delay replaces Perez behind the plate.

Narvaez is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Pirates.

With lefty Jose Quintana on the hill for the Pirates, the lefty-hitting Narvaez will cede duties behind the plate to Pedro Severino. Narvaez went 1-for-7 with three walks while catching in each of Milwaukee's previous three games.

The Mets placed McCann on the 10-day injured list Sunday with a left oblique strain, Deesha Thosar of the New York Daily News reports.

Manager Buck Showalter said that after viewing the results of McCann's MRI on Sunday, the veteran catcher is expected to be sidelined beyond the minimum 10 days, which means the Mets likely aren't counting on him being ready to go for their three-game series with the Padres following the All-Star break. Tomas Nido is behind the plate for Sunday's series finale with the Marlins and should operate as the Mets' No. 1 backstop for however long McCann is on the shelf. Patrick Mazeika was recalled from Triple-A Syracuse to provide a depth option behind Nido.

Fortes is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Mets, Jordan McPherson of the Miami Herald reports.

Though he'll be taking a seat Sunday, Fortes started behind the plate in two of the past three contests and may be moving into a timeshare at catcher with Jacob Stallings. While Stallings is the superior defender, Fortes has been far more effective at the plate across his 64 plate appearances on the campaign. After going 2-for-4 with a stolen base in Saturday's 5-4 loss, Fortes' slash line now sits at .273/.375/.509 for the season.