MLB Player News

DeJong (back) is starting Wednesday's game against the Brewers, Katie Woo of The Athletic reports.

DeJong was held out of the last three games due to back tightness, but he'll start at shortstop and bat seventh Wednesday. The 28-year-old has gone 4-for-15 with two homers, a double, six RBI, three runs and a walk across his last four appearances.

Mets acting general manager Zack Scott said Wednesday that he thinks Baez (back) will be ready to return from the 10-day injured list when first eligible Sunday, Deesha Thosar of the New York Daily News reports.

For the third day in a row, Baez took part in defensive drills Wednesday at second base, the position the Mets could be planning on having him play regularly once activated, as he and shortstop Francisco Lindor (oblique) appear to be on similar timelines to return from the IL. The Mets don't plan to send Baez out on a rehab assignment, but Scott noted that the 28-year-old will still need to make it through a live batting practice session Thursday without any setbacks before he's cleared to return. Once Baez and Lindor are both back in action for the Mets, Jonathan Villar and J.D. Davis appear likely to lose out on everyday roles.

The Blue Jays selected Smith's contract from Triple-A Buffalo ahead of Wednesday's game against the Nationals, Kaitlyn McGrath of The Athletic reports.

For the second day in a row, the Blue Jays promoted a utility man from Triple-A to help fill out the big-league bench, as Smith joins Otto Lopez in Toronto. The 25-year-old has seen the bulk of his playing time at shortstop and third base this season, but he'll be an option at second base or the corner-outfield spots if the Blue Jays want to give one of their regulars a day off. Smith flashed an interesting fantasy profile at Triple-A -- he hit .283 with 19 home runs and 16 stolen bases -- so he could be worth monitoring in AL-only formats if he falls into steady playing time at some point.

Owings (thumb) was transferred to the 60-day injured list Wednesday.

Owings was ruled out for the season in early August after doctors put a pin in his left thumb, so his move to the 60-day IL is simply procedural. The 30-year-old has appeared in just 38 games across the last two seasons, and he slashed .298/.372/.536 with three homers, 18 runs, 10 RBI and three stolen bases. He's slated to become an unrestricted free agent during the offseason.

The Marlins promoted Salas from the rookie-level FCL to Low-A Jupiter on Wednesday.

Salas, who received a $2.8 million bonus after joining the Marlins as a July 2 signing during the 2019 cycle, will get his first taste of full-season ball after thriving in the FCL. In addition to picking up starts at shortstop, second base and third base, the 18-year-old switch hitter shined at the plate, slashing .374/.462/.516 while collecting eight steals in 13 attempts.

Lindor (oblique) hit against live pitching Tuesday, Deesha Thosar of the New York Daily News reports.

Manager Luis Rojas said over the weekend that Lindor could return during the Mets' upcoming homestand, which begins Aug. 24, and facing live pitching is a good step toward making that a reality. The 27-year-old has been sidelined for a month by a strained oblique, but Rojas also indicated the shortstop may not require a rehab assignment before being activated.

Ahmed is out of the lineup Tuesday against the Phillies.

Ahmed started the last three games and will receive a day off after going 3-for-11 with a double, a walk and a run. Josh Rojas will move to shortstop while Josh VanMeter starts at the keystone.

Lopez was promoted from Triple-A Buffalo prior to Tuesday's game against Washington, Mitch Bannon of SI.com reports.

It was announced earlier Tuesday that Toronto was planning on calling Lopez up ahead of Tuesday's game, and now the 22-year-old has officially been added to the 26-man roster with George Springer (knee) landing on the IL. Lopez should provide the Blue Jays excellent flexibility in a utility role, as he's played all three outfield positions as well as both middle infield spots in the minors.

Wendle is not starting Tuesday against the Orioles, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Wendle played multiple positions while starting in each of the past six games, but he'll predictably rest with lefty John Means set to take the mound for the Orioles. Yandy Diaz (thumb) is set to return to the lineup at third base while Brandon Lowe starts at the keystone Tuesday.

Low-A San Jose placed Schmitt on its 7-day injured list Tuesday with a hand injury, Low-A San Jose radio broadcaster Joe Ritzo reports.

The extent of Schmitt's injury isn't unknown, but he's been out of action at San Jose since taking a pitch to the hand in an Aug. 10 game. The 22-year-old corner infielder is batting .247 with eight home runs and 29 RBI across 280 plate appearances this season.