MLB Player News

Lord (5-0) picked up the win against the Royals on Monday, giving up two runs on two hits and a walk over three innings of relief. He struck out two.

The right-hander wasn't particularly effective over 48 pitches (31 strikes), but he was the pitcher of record when the Nationals took the lead for good in the bottom of the fifth inning. Lord's been a versatile bullpen option this season, adding three holds and a save to his ledger over 22 appearances and 48 innings with a 2.44 ERA, 1.02 WHIP and 39:14 K:BB.

Nunez went 2-for-2 with a walk and two runs scored in Monday's win over the Royals.

The 25-year-old infielder's glove work and speed have kept him in the lineup at second base this season, but Nunez's bat is beginning to show signs of life in June as well. He's hit safely in seven of his last eight games, batting .321 (9-for-28) during that stretch with a double, three steals, five runs and six RBI.

Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said Monday that Edman (ankle) will start 3-to-4 days per week initially after being activated from the 60-day injured list Tuesday, Katie Woo of The Athletic reports.

Edman is finally ready for his season debut following a long rehab from offseason right ankle surgery. While most of Edman's playing time is likely to come at second base, he will see reps at third base and in left field, as well. The 31-year-old super utility player slashed .275/.351/.392 with one home run, one stolen base and a 6:16 BB:K over 14 rehab games with Triple-A Oklahoma City.

Crews went 1-for-4 with a three-run home run in Monday's win over the Royals.

The 24-year-old outfielder took Mason Black deep in the fifth inning to wrap up the scoring in a 7-3 victory. Crews has hit safely and driven in at least one run in five straight games, and while he doesn't have a multi-hit performance during that span, he does have two of his four homers on the year. Since getting called up in mid-May, Crews is slashing .195/.239/.356 with two steals, 11 runs and 13 RBI in 23 contests.

Lindor (calf) played three innings in a simulated game Friday, and he could begin an official rehab assignment Monday, MLB.com reports.

The star shortstop's absence from the lineup since April 22 has been a big factor in the Mets' poor start to the season, but Lindor appears to be closing in on his return. The team seems confident he won't need a lengthy rehab stint despite the long layoff, which could put him in position to be back in the lineup for a home series against the Phillies that begins June 26. Prior to straining his calf, Lindor has just begun to get rolling at the plate, slashing .304/.319/.457 over his last 12 games.

The Dodgers will designate Espinal for assignment prior to Tuesday's game against the Rays, Katie Woo of The Athletic reports.

The transaction will free up spots on the 26-man and 40-man rosters for the return of Tommy Edman (ankle). Espinal stuck around after being outrighted off the 40-man roster in late May and was quickly added back to the big-league roster. He could elect to remain in the organization if he clears waivers again, but Espinal would have the ability to elect free agency.

Baty went 0-for-4 with three strikeouts in Monday's loss to the Reds.

The 26-year-old continues to get regular starts at third base while the Mets cover for the absence of Francisco Lindor (calf) and other infielders, but Baty has done little with the opportunity. He hasn't homered in 24 straight games, slashing just .211/.277/.237 over that stretch with two doubles, five runs, six RBI and a 28.9 percent strikeout rate that would be a career-worst mark. Lindor is ramping up his activity level and is expected back before the end of the month, and his return should bump Bo Bichette back to third base and send Baty back to the bench, or potentially even Triple-A Syracuse.

Bichette went 3-for-5 with two doubles in Monday's loss to the Reds.

The 28-year-old accounted for half the Mets' hits and their only extra-base knocks in an embarrassing 12-0 rout. Bichette has reeled off four straight multi-hit performances, and over the last 11 games he's produced a .413/.396/.761 slash line with five doubles, a triple, three homers, eight runs and 12 RBI as he puts a sluggish start to his New York tenure behind him.

Stewart went 1-for-4 with a walk, an RBI and two runs scored in Monday's 12-0 win over the Mets.

Stewart reached base via a walk in the first inning and stole a base before scoring on Eugenio Suarez's three-run home run. For Stewart, the steal was his 11th of the season and first in 25 games. He doesn't look the part of a base stealer, but the corner infielder has been successful on 11 of 13 attempts this season and has double-digit steals every year between minors and majors since 2023.

Smith went 2-for-4 with a solo home run in Monday's 4-3 win over the Angels.

Smith launched a solo home run in the seventh inning off the foul pole in right field to give Arizona a 3-2 lead. It was the first home run he's hit in 357 days. Smith has struggled since coming off the injured list and entered Monday's contest batting .087 (2-for-23) over 11 games since his return. Despite the grind, manager Torey Lovullo still plans to give him opportunities at first base or designated hitter when the Diamondbacks face right-handers.