MLB Player News

Strider (hamstring) threw 65 pitches over five innings in a simulated game Wednesday, but after sitting around 95-to-96 miles per hour with his fastball in the first frame, his velocity declined for the rest of the workout, Mark Bowman of MLB.com reports.

The right-hander hadn't faced hitters in any setting in nearly a month after straining his hamstring while playing catch April 21, and manager Brian Snitker indicated the reduction in velocity was due to that inactivity, not any health concerns. Atlanta has yet to decide if it wants to send Strider for a rehab start before activating him from the 15-day injured list, and rejoining the big-league rotation for a road series against the Nationals early next week remains on the table.

Call will start in right field and bat seventh in Thursday's game against Atlanta.

Though Call still looks to be the Nationals' fourth outfielder, he's seen fairly steady playing time while manager Dave Martinez continues to dish out occasional days off for Dylan Crews, Jacob Young and Josh Bell. Crews will be the odd man out of the lineup Thursday, allowing Call to pick up his eighth start in 12 games.

Crews is not in the lineup for Thursday's game in Atlanta.

It's the first day off in more than a month for Crews, who has just a .412 OPS over his last 16 games. Alex Call is in right field and batting seventh in the series finale.

Rosario will start at second base and bat second in Thursday's game against Atlanta.

Rosario will draw a third consecutive start out of the Washington infield, but his run of regular playing time will likely come to an end during this weekend's series in Baltimore. Luis Garcia (personal) is expected to be activated from the paternity list Friday and should take back an everyday role at second base, leaving Rosario to fend with Jose Tena for playing time at third base.

Murphy is out of the lineup for Thursday's game against the Nationals.

Murphy will take a seat for the day game after he went 0-for-3 while catching eight innings of Wednesday's 5-4 loss. Drake Baldwin will fill in for Murphy behind the dish Thursday, and manager Brian Snitker suggested Tuesday that the rookie backstop could work his way into a timeshare behind the dish, per David O'Brien of The Athletic. Murphy has produced a strong .819 OPS over 27 games this season, but Baldwin has performed even better over a similar sample, slashing .338/.390/.563 across 77 plate appearances.

Blackburn (knee) is expected to make two more rehab starts before being activated from the 15-day injured list, Joe Pantorno of AMNY.com reports.

Blackburn reached 60 pitches in his last rehab outing with Triple-A Syracuse on Sunday and is aiming for the 75-pitch mark Friday with Double-A Binghamton. He's expected to make an additional rehab start after that. There doesn't appear to currently be room for Blackburn in the Mets' rotation, so he could be slotted into long relief when he's activated later this month. Blackburn has been out all season with right knee inflammation.

Smith (elbow) has been playing catch from 120 feet up to three times per week and threw 10 pitches from halfway up the mound earlier this week, Joe Pantorno of AMNY.com reports.

Coming back from his second Tommy John surgery, Smith hopes to throw from the top of the bump in 2-to-3 weeks. The goal for the reliever is to begin a rehab assignment later this summer and return to the Mets before the end of the season, although he might not make it back until 2026. The Mets re-signed Smith in February to a one-year deal with a club option for next season.

Lux replaced the injured TJ Friedl (wrist) as the leadoff batter and went 2-for-4 with a double in Wednesday's 4-2 loss to the White Sox.

Friedl was unavailable following a bone bruise he suffered during Tuesday's game. This was Lux's first time batting atop the order; he typically bats fourth or fifth. The double was Lux's 10th of the season, tying him for team high with Jose Trevino.

Benson started in center field and went 1-for-3 with a walk and a double in Wednesday's 4-2 loss to the White Sox.

Benson started in place of the injured TJ Friedl, who was held out of the lineup with a wrist injury. Benson had been filling in for the injured Jake Fraley (calf) in right field and is 3-for-11 with two doubles, a stolen base, an RBI and a run scored over four games since returning to the majors. Assuming Friedl avoids joining Fraley on the injured list, Benson should soon shift back over to right field, where he'll likely occupy the strong side of a platoon with either Connor Joe or Rece Hinds.

Lawlar pinch hit for Ketel Marte (hip) and went 0-for-1 in Wednesday's 8-7 win over the Giants.

Lawlar finished up the game at second base for Marte, who was removed as a precaution with stiffness in his hip. This was Lawlar's second appearance since his call-up from Triple-A Reno; he served as the starting shortstop Tuesday. Marte is expected to play when the Diamondbacks resume their schedule Friday at home against the Rockies.