MLB Player News
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J.D. Martinez DH | NYM
Mets' J.D. Martinez: Not in Sunday's lineup
Martinez is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Cardinals, Tim Healey of Newsday reports.
Martinez went 3-for-8 with a double, an RBI and five strikeouts in his first two games with the Mets but will take a seat for Sunday's series finale versus St. Louis. DJ Stewart will step in as the designated hitter and bat cleanup.
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Alec Burleson LF | STL
Cardinals' Alec Burleson: Heads to bench Sunday
Burleson is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Mets, John Denton of MLB.com reports.
The Cardinals are giving Willson Contreras a day off behind the plate and having him serve as the designated hitter, so Burleson will bow out of the lineup as Ivan Herrera enters the starting nine at catcher. Burleson had served as St. Louis' DH in both of the past two games, going 2-for-5 with a home run, two walks and three RBI.
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Mark Vientos DH | NYM
Mets' Mark Vientos: Up from Triple-A
The Mets recalled Vientos from Triple-A Syracuse on Saturday, Will Sammon of The Athletic reports.
Vientos has slashed .302/.388/.525 across 98 plate appearances in Triple-A, and he'll now join the big-league club as Starling Marte (personal) steps away from the team. Vientos will likely head back to Syracuse following Marte's return.
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J.D. Martinez DH | NYM
Mets' J.D. Martinez: Drives in run in Mets debut
Martinez went 2-for-4 with a double and an RBI in Friday's 4-2 loss to the Cardinals.
He also struck out twice, but Martinez made a quick impact in his debut for the Mets, chasing Miles Mikolas from the game in the sixth inning with a run-scoring double. Martinez posted big numbers in only 113 games for the Dodgers last year, slashing .271/.321/.572 with 33 homers and 103 RBI, and once he's shaken off his rust the 36-year-old should be a potent addition to the middle of the New York batting order.
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Alec Burleson LF | STL
Cardinals' Alec Burleson: Slugs first homer of season
Burleson went 1-for-3 with a walk and a three-run home run in Friday's 4-2 win over the Mets.
His second-inning shot off Jose Butto gave Miles Mikolas and the Cardinals' bullpen all the offense they would need. It was Burleson's first long ball of the year, and his first extra-base hit since April 8. Jordan Walker's demotion cements Burleson into a strong-side platoon role, but his .259/.310/.352 slash line through 58 plate appearances with three runs and five RBI doesn't offer a lot of fantasy appeal.
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Manny Machado 3B | SD
Padres' Manny Machado: Starting at third base Friday
Machado (personal) was added to the active roster and is starting at third base for Friday's game against the Phillies, Jeff Sanders of The San Diego Union-Tribune reports.
Machado was placed on the paternity list Monday and ended up missing the Padres' last four games. What's notable about Friday's game is that Machado is starting at third base for the first time since getting surgery on his right elbow in October, while Graham Pauley serves as the designated hitter. Machado's return is a welcome one with rookie Jackson Merrill missing his second straight game due to a lingering groin issue. Machado is slashing .260/.324/.417 with four home runs and 12 RBI over 105 plate appearances to start the season.
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Matt Carpenter DH | STL
Cardinals' Matt Carpenter: Resumes swinging
Carpenter (oblique) took swings on the field before Friday's game against the Mets, John Denton of MLB.com reports.
Carpenter had been shut down after receiving a PRP injection in his right oblique Monday. He will swing again before Saturday's game, at which point the Cardinals will decide whether or not to send the 38-year-old veteran out on a rehab assignment.
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J.D. Martinez DH | NYM
Mets' J.D. Martinez: Batting fifth in Mets debut
Martinez will start at designated hitter and bat fifth in Friday's game against the Cardinals.
It will be Martinez's Mets and season debut after he was sent to the minors for a while following a late-March signing. The 36-year-old will be given extra days off in the early going as he gets his feet under him, but Martinez will eventually be the team's everyday DH. He slashed .271/.321/.572 with 33 home runs for the Dodgers last season.
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J.D. Martinez DH | NYM
Mets' J.D. Martinez: Officially added to roster
The Mets recalled Martinez from Triple-A Syracuse on Friday.
Martinez had his Mets debut delayed a bit by a minor back issue, but he's ready to go now following five tune-up games in the minors. The 36-year-old went 6-for-19 with two doubles and a 2:2 K:BB in those contests. Manager Carlos Mendoza has said Martinez will not play every day right away, as the club plans to ease him into things as he faces major-league pitching for the first time since last October. Eventually, he will be the team's everyday designated hitter.
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Joey Meneses DH | WAS
Nationals' Joey Meneses: Three hits in Thursday's loss
Meneses went 3-for-4 with a double and an RBI in Thursday's loss to the Dodgers.
It's the third multi-hit performance in the last five games for Meneses, who's started seven straight contests while batting .360 (9-for-25). The 31-year-old is still looking for his first homer of the season and has only two doubles, but with Lane Thomas (knee) on the shelf and Joey Gallo needed in right field, Meneses' playing time looks secure as he flips between first base and DH. On the season, he's slashing .257/.337/.284 with 10 RBI, but only two runs scored in 20 games.