MLB Player News

Stephenson is not in the lineup for Monday's game against the Nationals.

Stephenson had started each of the previous four tilts (three at catcher, one at designated hitter), so he'll get a breather for Monday's series opener. Jose Trevino will step in at catcher and bat ninth for the Reds.

Taillon (calf) has been throwing on flat ground and is expected to be cleared for mound work soon, MLB.com reports.

Taillon has been sidelined for the entirety of July with a right calf strain. Cubs manager Craig Counsell said at the time Taillon went down that the pitcher would miss at least a month of action, and given where the righty is at in his throwing progression, it seems likely that he'll require a little more time than that.

Amaya (oblique) is expected to begin a rehab assignment Thursday, MLB.com reports.

It's not clear which affiliate Amaya will be assigned to, but it will be his first game action since he went down with a left oblique strain in late May. Amaya is expected to require a week's worth of rehab games, setting him up to return at the beginning of August if all goes well. Upon his return, Amaya is likely to operate in a backup role behind starting catcher Carson Kelly.

Assad (oblique) will resume a rehab assignment with the rookie-level Arizona Complex League Cubs on Thursday, MLB.com reports.

Assad has been sidelined all season after aggravating a left oblique strain during a rehab start back in late April. The right-hander is hoping to be available for the Cubs at some point in August, but it's uncertain what his role would look like at that time.

The Mets recalled Alvarez from Triple-A Syracuse on Monday.

Alvarez will rejoin the Mets ahead of their three-game series against the Angels following a month-long stay in the minors. The Mets demoted the 23-year-old backstop on June 22 after he posted a weak .652 OPS while struggling defensively upon returning in late April from a season-opening stint on the injured list, but Alvarez settled back into a groove at the plate during his time in the International League. Over 19 games with the Triple-A club, Alvarez slashed .299/.397/.836 with 11 home runs. Though he brings more offensive upside to the table than Luis Torrens, Alvarez may not immediately usurp him as the Mets' top backstop. Manager Carlos Mendoza could instead opt for a timeshare behind the plate to keep both catchers relatively involved.

The Mets optioned Senger to Triple-A Syracuse on Monday.

With Francisco Alvarez making his return to the Mets' active roster after getting called up from Triple-A, the big club had no need for Senger as a third catcher behind Alvarez and Luis Torrens. Senger saw limited playing time during his month-long stint with the big club, appearing in eight games while going 3-for-18 at the dish.

The Mets announced that Blackburn (shoulder) is expected to move his rehab assignment to Triple-A Syracuse on Tuesday.

Blackburn is ready for a tougher test after he opened his rehab assignment last Thursday in the rookie-level Florida Complex League, where he struck out eight and allowed one earned run on three hits and two walks over 3.2 innings. Though the Mets appear to be letting Blackburn build up as a starter during his rehab assignment, he could be ticketed for a long-relief role once he's activated from the 15-day injured list.

The Mets transferred Nunez (elbow) from the 15-day injured list to the 60-day IL on Monday.

The transaction is merely procedural, as Nunez is slated to miss the rest of the season and likely the entire 2026 campaign after undergoing Tommy John surgery last Monday. The Mets claimed right-hander Rico Garcia from the Yankees on Monday and will have him take over Nunez's spot on the 40-man roster.

Blalock is slated to start Tuesday's game against the Cardinals at Coors Field.

Called up from Triple-A Albuquerque earlier this month, Blalock ended up taking over the spot in the rotation that previously belonged to rookie Chase Dollander, who was optioned to the minors following a string of poor performances. Though he had posted a 12.94 ERA and 2.06 WHIP over his first five big-league appearances of the season, Blalock acquitted himself well in his start during the Rockies' final series before the All-Star break, holding the Reds to one earned run on six hits and no walks over 5.2 innings. The right-hander will be rewarded with another turn through the rotation, but he doesn't profile as a dependable streaming option, given his poor overall track record in the majors.

The Mets claimed Garcia off waivers from the Yankees on Monday.

Garcia has now gone from the Mets to the Yankees and now back to the Mets via waivers this month. He threw 4.2 scoreless innings for the Mets earlier in July before coughing up three runs over 2.2 frames in his lone appearance with the Yankees. Garcia is out of minor-league options, so he will be added to the Mets' 26-man active roster.