MLB Player News

The Nationals activated Beeter (forearm) from the 15-day injured list Thursday.

Beeter has been shelved since late April with right forearm discomfort, but he's been cleared to return to action after making three rehab appearances. It's possible the Nationals will ease Beeter back into high-leverage outings, but he should be back in the closer mix sooner rather than later.

Gonzales is out of the lineup for Thursday's contest in St. Louis.

It looks to be a routine day off for Gonzales, who has reached base four times in the first two games of the series. Jared Triolo will cover third base for the Pirates in Thursday's rubber match.

Riley went 1-for-3 with a walk and a three-run home run in Wednesday's win over the Marlins.

The third baseman took Janson Junk deep in the second inning to put Atlanta in the lead for good. The homer was Riley's eighth of the season and his fifth in May over 18 games, a month in which he's slashing .254/.301/.507 with 14 RBI, but a worrisome 3:23 BB:K. After a couple injury-marred campaigns, Riley has stayed healthy so far in 2026, but he has yet to put together an extended hot streak that would put him on track to reach the 30-HR, 90-RBI marks for the first time since 2023.

Garcia is absent from the lineup for Thursday's game in St. Louis.

Garcia started the first two games for the Pirates upon his promotion, going 3-for-9 with a 0:3 BB:K, but he'll grab a seat in Thursday's series finale. Jake Mangum will handle right field for Pittsburgh.

Urias (elbow) will begin taking dry swings this week, the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports.

Urias' recovery from tennis elbow is coming along slowly but surely. He will continue building up his hitting progression and is expected to be sidelined several more weeks. Urias put up a .595 OPS with a pair of home runs in his first 25 games for the Cardinals before getting hurt.

The Cardinals are eyeing June 1 as a target date for Nootbaar's (heels) activation from the 60-day injured list, the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports.

Nootbaar homered in his first rehab game with Single-A Palm Beach last week and has since moved up to Triple-A Memphis, going 2-for-6 with a 1:2 BB:K over three contests between the two stops. He's played left field twice and served as a designated hitter once, and Nootbaar is projected to be the Cardinals' everyday left fielder when he rejoins the active roster. The 28-year-old is working his way back from double heel surgery.

Nationals manager Blake Butera indicated Wednesday that he will try to continue having Alvarez follow Zack Littell in a piggyback role, Mark Zuckerman of NatsJournal.com reports.

After Littell tossed the first five innings Wednesday versus the Mets, Alvarez threw the final four frames, yielding two runs, striking out five and notching his first career save. There will likely be instances when Alvarez is needed to pitch other days, but if most of his appearances are piggybacking Littell, he'll have a chance to vulture some wins and saves. The southpaw holds a 3.18 ERA and 15:2 K:BB over 11.1 innings with the Nationals this season.

Beeter (forearm) is expected to be activated from the 15-day injured list prior to Thursday's game against the Mets, Mark Zuckerman of NatsJournal.com reports.

Out since late April with right forearm soreness, Beeter made three rehab appearances, yielding one run with a 4:0 K:BB in three innings. Beeter notched two saves for the Nationals before getting hurt and will be thrown back into the late innings as part of a mix-and-match bullpen for manager Blake Butera.

The Nationals optioned Poulin to Triple-A Rochester on Wednesday, Mark Zuckerman of NatsJournal.com reports.

Poulin has been deployed in a variety of roles for the Nationals this season and is one of seven relievers on the roster to notch a save. However, while he's managed a 2.91 ERA, a 16:14 K:BB over 21.2 innings is less appetizing. Clayton Beeter (forearm) is expected to come off the injured list Thursday in a corresponding move.

Reynolds went 1-for-5 with a double and two RBI on Wednesday against the Cardinals.

Reynolds made his lone hit of the day count, as he delivered a two-run double in the eighth inning. He's had a pair of timely hits to begin Pittsburgh's series against the Cardinals, giving him four RBI in his last two games. Reynolds has hit for modest power this season, but he has taken advantage of an upgraded lineup around him to log 30 RBI in 49 contests.