MLB Player News

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.

Mateo will start at shortstop and bat ninth in Friday's game versus the Mets.

Mateo will make his third start over the last four games. He was out of the lineup for three consecutive contests before that, as manager Walt Weiss continues to mix and match at the shortstop while Atlanta waits for a productive option to emerge at the position.

Castro is not in the lineup for Friday's contest against the Giants.

Castro has now been absent from the lineup for three of five games this week, which is a shame for his fantasy managers given that the Rockies have been at home in Coors Field all week. Edouard Julien is covering second base for Colorado.

May indicated that his right ankle felt better than expected Friday, Jeff Jones of the Belleville News-Democrat reports.

He had planned to test the ankle out with some catch at Wrigley Field, but rain in the forecast might prevent that from happening. May was forced to depart Thursday's start in Atlanta after recording just two outs because of a comebacker that struck him on the ankle. X-rays were negative and May still has a chance to make his next start, which is currently set to come Tuesday in a doubleheader against the Brewers.

Hayes (back) will begin a rehab assignment with High-A Dayton on Friday.

Hayes has been sidelined since late May due to a bulging disc in his back, but he's been cleared to resume game action. He will likely require several rehab contests before returning to the Reds, and Hayes faces an uncertain playing time outlook when he is activated with Sal Stewart, Eugenio Suarez and Nathaniel Lowe all healthy.

Campusano (foot) began a minor-league rehab assignment with Triple-A El Paso on Tuesday and has gone 2-for-6 with a home run, two RBI and a 2:2 BB:K through two games.

Prior to beginning the rehab assignment, Campusano hadn't logged game action since he fouled a ball off his left foot and suffered a fractured toe May 5. He's worked behind the plate in each of his contests with El Paso, but San Diego may want him to get in a few more outings before activating him given the length of his absence. With that said, Freddy Fermin is being evaluated for a concussion after taking a foul tip off his mask against the Dodgers on Thursday, which could create more urgency for Campusano to rejoin the big-league roster.