MLB Player News

Melendez is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Twins.

Left-hander Connor Prielipp is on the bump for Minnesota, so the left-handed-hitting Melendez will retreat to the bench after he had started each of the previous five games. The Mets will ease Juan Soto (calf) back in following a stint on the injured list by deploying him at designated hitter, but he'll likely resume playing left field on a full-time basis in short order to keep the DH spot open for Melendez. The 27-year-old has posted a 1.014 OPS through his first five games with New York since getting recalled from Triple-A Syracuse last week, and he should continue to play regularly versus right-handed pitching so long as he's wielding a hot bat.

Leahy (2-3) took the loss Wednesday, giving up four runs on eight hits and three walks over five innings as the Cardinals fell 4-1 to the Marlins. He struck out two.

All eight hits off the right-hander were singles as Miami batters played small ball, but Leahy also helped create some of his own problems as he walked home a run in the second inning. He exited the mound after 89 pitches (50 strikes) and has failed to finish six frames in his first five starts of the year. Leahy will take a 5.63 ERA, 1.67 WHIP and 15:11 K:BB through 24 innings into his next start, which lines up to come on the road early next week in Pittsburgh.

Benge is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Twins.

After starting each of the Mets' last six games and going 3-for-20 with a double, a walk, one stolen base and two runs over that stretch, the left-handed-hitting Benge will take a seat while southpaw Connor Prielipp takes the hill for the Twins. The Mets will roll out an all-right-handed-hitting outfield Wednesday featuring Tommy Pham, Luis Robert and Tyrone Taylor from left to right.

Garcia was removed from Wednesday's game after the fifth inning with an undisclosed injury, Anne Rogers of MLB.com reports.

It's unclear what exactly happened with Garcia, as he struck out looking in the bottom of the fifth inning before being removed for defense prior to the start of the sixth. He had two popups in addition to the strikeout before departing. Garcia should be considered day-to-day until the Royals update his status.

Nunez is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against Atlanta.

Jorbit Vivas will enter the starting nine at second base while Nunez receives a day off. Nunez had started in each of the Nationals' previous six games, going 2-for-19 with four walks, three stolen bases, four runs and one RBI.

Smith is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Nationals.

Atlanta is giving Drake Baldwin a day off from catching but keeping his bat in the lineup at designated hitter, so Smith will be the odd man out of the starting nine. A non-roster invitee in spring training, Smith secured a spot on the Opening Day squad coming out of camp and has been a pleasant surprise for Atlanta early on, slashing .345/.362/.600 with four home runs, 17 RBI and 10 runs over 18 games.

The Tigers selected Smith's contract from Triple-A Toledo on Wednesday.

Smith was off to a terrific start with Toledo, yielding two runs with a 16:0 K:BB over 10 innings. The 36-year-old will give the Tigers a fresh bullpen arm and will be making his first major-league appearance since 2024 when/if he gets into a game.

The Tigers optioned De Jesus to Triple-A Toledo on Wednesday.

De Jesus was hammered for seven runs (five earned) while throwing 49 pitches over 1.1 innings during an ugly relief outing in Tuesday's loss to the Brewers. He will be replaced on the roster and in the bullpen by right-hander Burch Smith, whose contract was selected from Triple-A.

Keith is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Brewers.

Though the left-handed-hitting Keith will begin Wednesday's contest on the bench, he could check in once lefty DL Hall -- who is opening the game for the Brewers -- is lifted from the game. Jahmai Jones will pick up a start at designated hitter in place of Keith.

Jimenez is day-to-day after X-rays on his left hand came back negative Wednesday, Christina De Nicola of MLB.com reports.

Jimenez was hit by a Kyle Leahy pitch in his first plate appearance during Wednesday's win over the Cardinals and eventually exited the game. He is dealing with some bruising but has managed to avoid a fracture. Jimenez has played sparingly for the Marlins, as his start Wednesday was his first in two weeks.