MLB Player News

Benge will start in right field and bat fifth in Friday's contest in Atlanta.

Benge had started in the leadoff spot for every Mets game since May 12, but it will be A.J. Ewing getting a turn at the top of the batting order Friday. The timing is interesting, given that Benge has a seven-game hitting streak going and is slashing .304/.350/.500 across his last 13 contests.

The Orioles recalled Jackson from Triple-A Norfolk on Friday.

Jackson is back in the big leagues after spending five days at Triple-A. He has slashed .251/.267/.397 with seven homers, 32 RBI, 23 runs scored, two stolen bases and a 4:40 BB:K across 206 plate appearances with the Orioles this season. Jackson will fill a depth role in the infield for Baltimore now that Jackson Holliday is healthy.

The Orioles placed Helsley on the 15-day injured list Friday with right elbow discomfort.

Helsey felt discomfort in his elbow while warming up in the bullpen Wednesday, and he'll now miss at least the next couple weeks. The right-hander missed seven weeks with elbow inflammation earlier this season and just returned from the injured list two weeks ago. Rico Garcia figures to be next in line for saves for Baltimore.

Ewing will start in center field and bat leadoff in Friday's game versus Atlanta.

Ewing has mostly batted between fifth and eighth in the Mets' lineup since being called up in mid-May, but he will get his first chance in the leadoff spot Friday. Normal leadoff man Carson Benge will bat fifth in the series opener.

Walker (back) is batting fourth and playing first base Friday against the Rays.

Walker was removed from Wednesday's game against the Twins with lower-back stiffness, but Thursday's off day provided enough rest for the slugger. Walker is slashing .239/.310/.469 with 19 homers, 56 RBI, 45 runs scored and a 30:81 BB:K across 361 plate appearances this season. However, after a hot start to the campaign, Walker is batting .210 with a .702 OPS and 93 wRC+ since the beginning of May.

Young is not in the lineup for Friday's game against the Pirates.

It's a routine day off for Young, who had started the last four contests. Dylan Crews will slide over to center field for the Nationals, and Jose Tena will grab a start at designated hitter.

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.

The Guardians optioned Espino to Triple-A Columbus on Friday.

He'll swap places with Franco Aleman, who was summoned from Columbus in a corresponding move. The 25-year-old Espino made his major-league debut last month and allowed three runs on five hits and three walks with nine strikeouts across his first five big-league innings out of Cleveland's bullpen.

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.