MLB Player News

Robert (spine) said Thursday that his back has been responding better in recent days and he expects to return before the end of this season, Chelsea Janes of SNY.tv reports.

Robert was administered a series of injections in late May to combat the lumbar spine disc herniation that's kept him out of commission since late April. Those injections seem to have helped, and he might be cleared to run on the field before the end of this week. However, a timetable for Robert's return remains fuzzy, and the outfielder conceded he might have to play with some discomfort when he does make it back.

Waldschmidt is absent from the lineup for Thursday's contest in Miami.

It looks to be a routine day off for Waldschmidt, who had started each of the previous eight tilts. Jorge Barrosa will patrol center field and bat ninth as the Diamondbacks look to avoid the sweep.

Devers went 1-for-4 with a solo home run, a walk and an additional run scored in Wednesday's 11-10 win over the Nationals.

After going 0-for-11 in 14 plate appearances over his previous three games, Devers launched a home run to center field in the eighth inning and drew a walk in the ninth before coming around to score. The veteran infielder has struggled through 10 outings this month, batting .122 with seven runs scored, three RBI and two home runs across 48 plate appearances. Overall, he's slashing .233/.292/.415 with 33 runs scored, 33 RBI and nine long balls in 295 plate appearances this season.

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

Duarte made one appearance for the Mets earlier this season, during which he pitched 2.1 scoreless frames. The 29-year-old will provide manager Carlos Mendoza with a fresh arm out of the bullpen for Thursday's series finale with the Cardinals.

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

Pintaro helped save the bullpen in his lone day with the big club, allowing one run over three innings in Wednesday's loss to the Cardinals. He wasn't going to be available for at least a day or two, however, so the Mets will replace him with a fresh bullpen arm in Daniel Duarte.

Wood went 1-for-4 with a walk, a two-run home run and a second run scored in Wednesday's 11-10 loss to the Giants.

The star outfielder got the offensive fireworks started on the day by taking Robbie Ray deep in the third inning. Wood has gone yard five times in the last 15 games, giving him 18 homers on the season, and over that stretch he's slashing .333/.441/.614 with four steals, nine RBI and 17 runs.

Mead went 2-for-5 with a solo home run and a second run scored in Wednesday's loss to the Giants.

The 25-year-old has emerged as a key part of the Nationals' surprisingly potent offense while becoming the team's primary option at third base. Over the last 15 games, Mead is slashing .259/.344/.574 with five of his 10 homers on the season, and 12 of his 29 RBI.

Alvarez went 1-for-4 with a two-run home run in Wednesday's loss to the Cardinals.

Getting the start at DH in his second game since being activated from the injured list, Alvarez supplied all the Mets' offense with a two-run shot off Andre Pallante in the fourth inning, his first long ball since April 11. Alvarez has hit safely in 10 of his last 11 games sandwiched around his nearly month-long stay on the IL due to knee surgery, slashing .306/.342/.472 over that stretch.

Kempner (1-0) picked up the win Wednesday, walking two and striking out three over two scoreless, no-hit innings of relief in a victory over the Diamondbacks.

The rookie right-hander took the mound in the seventh inning, the third of four Miami pitchers in a combined shutout, and he wound up being credited with the win. Kempner has yet to allow a run in his first five big-league appearances, posting a 0.75 WHIP and 8:2 K:BB over 6.2 innings, but he doesn't yet appear to be part of the high-leverage picture for manager Clayton McCullough -- he entered Wednesday's contest with the Marlins already up 8-0.

The Rockies outrighted Thompson to Triple-A Albuquerque on Wednesday.

Thompson passed through waivers unclaimed after being booted from the Rockies' 40-man roster. The righty has been outrighted previously, which means he could decline the assignment and elect free agency, but it's unclear whether Thompson will exercise that right. He's yielded 11 runs over 12 innings in the majors this season.