MLB Player News

The Mets recalled Tong from Triple-A Syracuse on Friday.

Tobias Myers is making a spot start Friday in Miami, and since he's not stretched out, Tong could be used after him in a bulk relief role. It's been a rough start to the season at Syracuse for Tong, who has posted a 5.68 ERA and 55:24 K:BB across 38 frames covering nine starts at the Mets' top minor-league affiliate.

Petty will start the second game of Saturday's doubleheader versus the Cardinals, C. Trent Rosecrans of The Athletic reports.

The Reds and Cardinals have a twin bill Saturday after Friday's game was rained out, and Petty will be up to serve as the 27th man for Cincy. Petty made one spot start earlier this season, allowing three runs with a 1:2 K:BB over 5.2 innings. The righty holds a 6.32 ERA and 31:15 K:BB across 31.1 frames covering eight starts with Triple-A Louisville this season.

The Reds placed Hayes on the 10-day injured list Friday with a lumbar bulging disc.

The third baseman's back has been an issue for years, and per C. Trent Rosecrans of The Athletic it has bothered him off and on this season. The plan is for Hayes to get healed up before reporting to the team's spring training complex in Arizona to initiate his rehab. It sounds like an injury that is likely to keep him out beyond 10 days, and the Reds could want him to find a groove at the plate on a rehab assignment before reinstating him. The 29-year-old is slashing an ugly .142/.195/.225 this season. Sal Stewart will likely continue handling the bulk of the workload at the hot corner in his absence, with Eugenio Suarez also an option once he comes off the IL.

The Reds activated Suarez (oblique) from the 10-day injured list Friday.

He missed exactly one month of action with a left oblique strain but is ready to go after participating in two rehab games, going 1-for-7 with a double. Reds manager Terry Francona said Friday that Suarez will be eased back into an everyday role, as they "don't want to run him into the ground," Charlie Goldsmith of Fox 19 Now Cincinnati reports.

Azocar elected to become a free agent Friday, Grant McAuley of the Marietta Daily Journal reports.

It's the second time this month that Azocar has chosen free agency after clearing waivers following his removal from Atlanta's 40-man roster. He re-signed on a minor-league contract the last time and could do so again.

Leahy will have his start pushed back after Friday's contest against the Reds was postponed due to inclement weather.

The game will be made up as part of a doubleheader Saturday, and Leahy should draw a start in one of those tilts. He's collected a 3.94 ERA, 1.55 WHIP and 34:20 K:BB through 45.2 innings this season in his transition to the Cardinals' rotation.

Paddack will have his start pushed back after Friday's game against the Cardinals was postponed by inclement weather.

The game will be made up as part of a split doubleheader Saturday, and Paddack should take the ball in one of those contests. Paddack allowed two runs over five innings against the Guardians last week in his first start for the Reds.

Story underwent surgery to repair a sports hernia Thursday and will be sidelined 6-10 weeks, Tim Healey of The Boston Globe reports.

Story was placed on the 10-day injured list last weekend and was seeking medical opinions for his hernia. He's opted for surgery and will miss far more than the minimum 10 days as a result. Andruw Monasterio and Isiah Kiner-Falefa have been handling shortstop duties in Story's place this week, but the longer absence could prompt the Red Sox to shift Marcelo Mayer back to his original position. In 41 games this season, Story has slashed an unimpressive .206/.244/.303 with three home runs, 19 RBI, 16 runs scored, four stolen bases and an 8:57 BB:K across 176 plate appearances.

The Cardinals placed Church on the 10-day injured list Friday with a left shoulder strain.

Church had to be scratched from Thursday's lineup against the Pirates because he was "just a little beat up," per manager Oliver Marmol. While it's now known that the injury is focused on his shoulder, it's unclear how long Church might be out. Lars Nootbaar (heels) is due back June 1, so Church could see a dip in playing time when he does return to the active roster.

Brown (shoulder) will begin a rehab assignment with Double-A Corpus Christi on Sunday, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.

Brown threw live batting practice earlier this week and is ready for game action as he recovers from a shoulder strain. The right-hander isn't eligible to return from the 60-day injured list until the end of May, but a June return might be more plausible given the length of his layoff. Brown last pitched March 31 and posted a 0.84 ERA and 17:6 K:BB across 10.2 inning in his first two starts of the season before being shut down.