MLB Player News

Mets manager Carlos Mendoza said Thursday that Alvarez (hand) could be activated from the 10-day injured list before the team's homestand ends April 23, Anthony DiComo of MLB.com reports.

Alvarez will catch back-to-back, nine-inning rehab games with Double-A Binghamton on Friday and Saturday and, if that goes well, the club will have "a conversation" about the catcher's status, per Mendoza. A day of rest seems likely after Alvarez catches back-to-back contests, which points to a return Monday versus the Phillies. Alvarez is coming back from surgery on a fractured hamate bone in his left hand.

Puk struck out one and allowed a hit during a scoreless ninth inning to earn the save Thursday against the Marlins.

Puk was handed a 6-4 lead and managed to escape unscathed after giving up a leadoff double to Griffin Conine. The left-hander has now secured four of Arizona's six saves this season, giving him a slight edge in the closer committee over Justin Martinez, who converted the other two and closed out the seventh inning Thursday. Puk needed 21 pitches to get through the frame and has now thrown 36 pitches over the past two days, which could affect his availability for Friday's series opener versus the Cubs.

Rodriguez (1-2) struck out nine and earned the win Thursday in a 6-4 victory over Miami after giving up three runs (one earned) on 10 hits and no walks over 5.1 innings.

A pair of errors led to two unearned runs for the Marlins, which was fortunate for Rodriguez's line given how many baserunners he allowed. The left-hander didn't issue a walk for the first time this season, but he still exhibited some shaky control with a pair of wild pitches. Rodriguez surrendered seven runs in his first two starts of the season but has settled in during his past two outings with just three earned runs, though the 16 hits he's allowed remain a concern.

Montas (lat) has been playing catch from 90 feet and is expected to begin throwing bullpen sessions in two weeks, Anthony DiComo of MLB.com reports.

Montas began a throwing program in early April and has been brought along slowly as he works his way back from a high-grade right lat strain. He still has numerous boxes to check off in his rehab program but appears to be tracking toward a season debut in late May or early June, if all goes well.

Skenes is listed as the Pirates' starting pitcher for Saturday's game against the Guardians at PNC Park.

Not only will Skenes be taking the hill for his bobblehead night, but he'll also be pitching on four days' rest for the first time in the big leagues and for the first time at any level since 2023. Though Skenes doesn't have any history of arm problems, the Pirates have deliberately built in extra rest between starts for the 22-year-old in an effort to preserve his health. The Pirates are still likely to add a sixth starter to the mix during particularly busy portions of the schedule to give Skenes and the other members of the rotation more recovery time between outings, but a four-day rest period should eventually become the norm for the star right-hander as he matures.

Acuna is not in the lineup for Thursday's tilt versus the Cardinals, Anthony DiComo of MLB.com reports.

Acuna had started each of the previous four contests at second base, but he'll begin Thursday's series opener on the bench. Brett Baty is handling second base and batting eighth for the Mets.

Winker is absent from the lineup for Thursday's game against the Cardinals, Anthony DiComo of MLB.com reports.

Winker had started two of the last three games against righties, but he'll take a seat Thursday versus right-hander Andre Pallante, who has reverse splits. Starling Marte will be at designated hitter and bat sixth.

The Mets optioned Hagenman to Triple-A Syracuse on Thursday.

Hagenman made his MLB debut Wednesday, allowing one earned run while striking out four batters across 3.1 innings in bulk relief. Despite his quality performance, it seems the Mets would still like to see more from the 28-year-old righty in the minors, where he currently holds a 6.97 ERA and 1.88 WHIP. Max Kranick was recalled from Triple-A in a corresponding move.

The Mets recalled Kranick from Triple-A Syracuse on Thursday.

Kranick was just optioned to Syracuse on Wednesday, but the plan was always to bring him back a day later once Jose Siri (leg) officially went on the 10-day injured list. The 27-year-old Kranick has been one of the Mets' best relievers this season, permitting two runs with a 7:1 K:BB over 11.2 innings.

The Mets placed Siri on the 10-day injured list Thursday with a left tibia fracture.

Siri was diagnosed with the injury Monday, but the Mets held off on making the IL move official so that they could play roster games with their bullpen. There's no timetable for his return, but expect the veteran outfielder to be shelved for more than a month. Tyrone Taylor will be the club's primary center fielder while Siri is out.