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.

Rutschman went 1-for-2 with a pair of walks and two runs scored in Sunday's 9-5 win over the Angels.

Rutschman has found a little consistency at the plate again with hits in five of his last seven games. He's gone 6-for-19 (.316) with seven walks in that span. The catcher has lifted his batting average from .206 to .221 during this stretch of success, and he has a .714 OPS with four home runs, 12 RBI, 22 runs scored, a stolen base and 13 doubles through 41 contests this year.

Vazquez went 2-for-5 with a solo home run, a double and an additional run and RBI in an 11-6 win against the Yankees on Sunday.

Vazquez tagged New York starter Jameson Taillon for a solo shot in the third inning and tacked on an RBI double followed by a run in the fifth. The backstop has now tallied three multi-hit games through eight July contests and is 10-for-34 with two doubles and a homer in that span.

Stassi went 1-for-4 with a two-run homer and a strikeout during Sunday's 9-5 loss to the Orioles.

Stassi sat out twice in the last three games, but he helped to bring the Angels within four runs during the eighth inning Sunday. In spite of his sporadic playing time, he's recorded two extra-base hits over the last three games and has gone 3-for-9 with a homer, a double, three runs, two RBI and two walks during that time.

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.

Lee went 3-for-4 with a double and three RBI in Sunday's 6-1 win over the Athletics.

Lee knocked in half of the Astros' runs with an RBI single in the fifth inning and a two-run double in the seventh. The 23-year-old catcher had gone 0-for-4 with a walk in his first three big-league games, making one start in that stretch. With veteran Martin Maldonado around, Lee's playing time is likely to be limited to one or two starts a week, though an extended stretch of good hitting could help Lee force his way into the lineup more often while Jason Castro (knee) is out.

Leon was outrighted to Triple-A Columbus on Sunday, Tom Withers of the Associated Press reports.

Leon was designated for assignment by Cleveland on Friday but will remain in the organization after clearing waivers. Over 26 Triple-A games this year, he's hit .222 with a homer, seven RBI and five runs.

Jeffers went 2-for-4 with a home run and two RBI in Sunday's 6-5 win over the Rangers.

Jeffers has hit safely in three straight games, going 6-for-13 with two homers, five RBI, three runs scored and a double in that span. The 25-year-old backstop's long ball Sunday was a big one, as it put the Twins ahead 5-4 in the sixth inning. He's upped his slash line to .211/.288/.378 with seven long balls, 25 RBI and 22 runs scored through 206 plate appearances. Jeffers is likely to continue splitting playing time with Gary Sanchez behind the plate.

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.