MLB Player News

Brewers manager Pat Murphy said Monday that Henderson might not make his next scheduled start Wednesday against the Cardinals due to back tightness, Jack Stern of BrewerFanatic.com reports.

Henderson went five scoreless frames versus the Dodgers his last time out, despite his back tightening up on him after the second inning. Murphy said Monday of Henderson's back issue that "there's reason for concern," adding that the club will "keep a really close eye on it" before determining the righty's readiness for Wednesday's contest. It's unclear who might draw the start Wednesday if Henderson is unable to go, as it could depend on which pitchers are needed in relief in the first two games of the series.

Valdez is not in the lineup for Monday's contest against the Cubs.

Valdez started the first three games for the Pirates upon his promotion and launched his first career hit and home run in Sunday's win over the Blue Jays. However, he will begin Monday's festivities on the bench. Jhostynxon Garcia, Oneil Cruz and Bryan Reynolds will patrol the outfield for Pittsburgh.

Williams (3-2) took the loss Sunday against the Marlins, coughing up four runs on two hits and two walks in one-third of an inning.

With the game tied 0-0, Williams took the mound for the bottom of the ninth and promptly gave up a leadoff double to Christopher Morel. A sacrifice bunt and two walks loaded the bases, and Heriberto Hernandez then got hold of a changeup and crushed it over the center-field fence for a walk-off grand slam. It was just the second long ball Williams has served up in 2026, but both have come on his previously unhittable Airbender -- the right-hander's allowed a .325 batting average and .550 SLG on his changeup this season after giving up a .162 BA and .216 SLG on the pitch just two years ago. Through his first 17 innings as a Met, Williams has a 6.35 ERA, 1.65 WHIP and 25:10 K:BB while converting seven of eight save chances.

Lindor (calf) has yet to begin running, Tim Britton of The Athletic reports.

The star shortstop has been out since April 22 due to a calf strain, and he still hasn't been able to resume baseball activities. The Mets originally hoped Lindor would only miss another month or so after he underwent a follow-up MRI a couple weeks ago, but the lack of progress in his recovery since then puts that timeline in some question, as Lindor will need a rehab assignment before being cleared to come off the IL.

Bauers is absent from the lineup for Monday's game versus the Cardinals.

The lefty-swinging Bauers will often play against lefty hurlers, but he'll begin Monday's series opener on the bench as St. Louis goes with southpaw Matthew Liberatore on the bump. Andrew Vaughn will occupy first base and Jackson Chourio will be in left field for the Brewers.

Frelick is not in the lineup for Monday's game against the Cardinals.

The left-handed-hitting Frelick will receive a rare day off as the Cardinals send southpaw Matthew Liberatore to the hill. Blake Perkins is getting the call in right field in Frelick's stead.

Polanco (Achilles) has been taking live at-bats at the Mets' spring training complex at St. Lucie and could begin a rehab assignment soon, Tim Britton of The Athletic reports.

The veteran infielder has been out since mid-April due to a wrist contusion and and Achilles soreness, but it's the latter issue that has kept him on the shelf. Pain management remains the biggest hurdle for Polanco to clear before he can return to game action, but if he's able to begin a rehab stint this week and avoid a setback, he could be back in the big-league lineup in early June.

Hoerner is not in Monday's lineup against the Pirates.

Hoerner is hitting .179 with two steals in his last 10 games. Recent call-up Pedro Ramirez gets the nod at the keystone, batting sixth.

Hernandez went 2-for-2 with a grand slam in Sunday's 4-0 win over the Mets.

The 26-year-old outfielder pinch hit for Owen Caissie in the seventh inning of a 0-0 tie and stayed in the game in left field, becoming the hero when he got hold of a Devin Williams changeup in the bottom of the ninth and sent it sailing 416 feet over the center-field fence. It was Hernandez's first career grand slam and his second homer of 2026, and since being called back up to the majors May 7 he's batting .280 (7-for-25) in sporadic action with two home runs, one steal, two runs and eight RBI. With Caissie struggling badly (42.0 percent strikeout rate and a .635 OPS in 46 games), Hernandez could carve out a bigger role if he keeps coming up big.

Suzuki is not in Monday's lineup against the Pirates.

Suzuki has gone 0-for-13 with a walk and three strikeouts in his last four games. Michael Conforto draws the start in right field while Moises Ballesteros gets the start at designated hitter.