MLB Player News

Cavanaugh will start at catcher and bat ninth in Friday's game versus the Rockies.

The Giants have faced five right-handed pitchers since Cavanaugh's promotion last week, and the lefty-swinging catcher has started all of them. Righty hitter Eric Haase has started both contests against lefties during that span, and it appears the two backstops will form a strict platoon while Daniel Susac (back) is shelved.

Adames (back) will start at shortstop and bat sixth in Friday's game versus the Rockies.

Adames missed each of the previous three games while battling lower-back spasms, but he's feeling well enough to give it a go in Friday's series opener. The veteran shortstop will be aiming to extend a modest four-game hitting streak.

Benge will start in right field and bat fifth in Friday's contest in Atlanta.

Benge had started in the leadoff spot for every Mets game since May 12, but it will be A.J. Ewing getting a turn at the top of the batting order Friday. The timing is interesting, given that Benge has a seven-game hitting streak going and is slashing .304/.350/.500 across his last 13 contests.

Ewing will start in center field and bat leadoff in Friday's game versus Atlanta.

Ewing has mostly batted between fifth and eighth in the Mets' lineup since being called up in mid-May, but he will get his first chance in the leadoff spot Friday. Normal leadoff man Carson Benge will bat fifth in the series opener.

Young is not in the lineup for Friday's game against the Pirates.

It's a routine day off for Young, who had started the last four contests. Dylan Crews will slide over to center field for the Nationals, and Jose Tena will grab a start at designated hitter.

Mead is absent from the lineup for Friday's contest against the Pirates.

Mead will begin this one on the bench after starting at third base in each of the Nationals' last four games. Jorbit Vivas will occupy the hot corner in Friday's series opener.

Middleton will be sidelined for the remainder of the season following internal brace surgery on his right elbow, Eli Whitney of Blake Street Banter reports.

Middleton has been sidelined since late April with elbow problems, and he was ultimately unable to avoid surgery. Having internal brace surgery rather than a full Tommy John repair gives Middleton a chance to return before the end of the 2027 season.

May (ankle) will not be placed on the injured list prior to Friday's game against the Cubs, Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports.

May recorded only two outs in Thursday's start in Atlanta before being forced from the outing after taking a comebacker off his right ankle. X-rays were clean and he reported improvement with the ankle Friday, which was enough for May to avoid the IL for the time being. May is tentatively scheduled to make a start during Tuesday's doubleheader against the Brewers, though he'll need to get through a bullpen session first before being cleared to pitch that day.

The Cardinals optioned Graceffo to Triple-A Memphis on Friday.

Graceffo has managed a 3.35 ERA and 1.12 WHIP out of the St. Louis bullpen this season but an 18:19 K:BB over 40.1 innings suggests rocky days could be ahead. He's being sent out in order to make space on the roster for the return of Ryne Stanek from paternity leave.

The Cardinals activated Stanek from the paternity leave list Friday.

Stanek missed the series earlier this week in Atlanta as he welcomed a new baby to the family, but he's active ahead of the Cardinals' weekend set against the rival Cubs. Gordon Graceffo was optioned to Triple-A Memphis in order to make room on the roster.