MLB Player News

Tong could be a candidate to receive a call-up from Triple-A Syracuse to start Friday against the Marlins if the Mets elect to expand their rotation to six men, Tim Britton of The Athletic reports.

Tong didn't get promoted to Triple-A until earlier this month, but in his first two starts at the level, he's fired 11.2 shutout innings while striking out 17 and allowing three walks. He leads all minor-league pitchers with 179 punchouts over 113.2 innings on the season and has done everything he can to prove he's ready for a look in the majors. With the Mets in a tight playoff race, the 22-year-old right-hander could provide the boost the team needs to get across the finish line. If the Mets opt not to call up Tong, the team could activate the rehabbing Tylor Megill (elbow) from the 60-day injured list to start Friday, which would buy an extra day of rest for David Peterson and Kodai Senga.

Chapman went 1-for-4 with a double and a run scored in Sunday's 4-3 win over the Brewers.

Chapman doubled in the ninth inning before coming around to score the game-tying run. In two outings since returning from a minimum stay on the 10-day injured list due to right hand inflammation, the third baseman has tallied two runs scored, two walks, a double and a stolen base across nine plate appearances. Overall, he's slashing .227/.337/.420 with 55 runs scored, 44 RBI, 16 home runs, 16 doubles and eight stolen bases in 412 plate appearances this season.

Massey (wrist/ankle/back) has slashed .245/.310/.415 with two home runs, three doubles and a 4:14 BB:K in 12 games since beginning a rehab assignment with Triple-A Omaha on Aug. 9.

Initially placed on the 10-day injured list June 10 due to a left ankle sprain, Massey then sustained a hairline fracture to his right wrist while rehabbing with Omaha in late June. He started up a new rehab assignment after the All-Star break, only to be shut down again when he developed back tightness. Now in the midst of his third rehab assignment, Massey is looking healthy and turned in a productive weekend with Omaha, going 4-for-14 with a pair of home runs and a double from Friday through Sunday. He's been rotating between second base and left field during his time in the minors and could contend for playing time at either position with the Royals once he's activated from the IL.

Winker (back) has yet to resume baseball activities, and he's running out of time to complete any sort of progression that would allow him to play again this season, Tim Britton of The Athletic reports.

The 32-year-old was originally shut down May 5 with an oblique strain, and his return in early July lasted just three plate appearances before his back became an issue. Given that it's been over three months since Winker saw regular game action in the majors, he would likely need a lengthy rehab stint before being ready to help the Mets' playoff push. As a result, he may have played his last game for the team, as he'll become a free agent this winter.

Royals manager Matt Quatraro said that Ragans (shoulder) threw an "up-down" bullpen session Sunday, MLB.com reports.

Ragans is making steady progress in his recovery from a left rotator cuff strain, having now completed five bullpen sessions. Quatraro noted that the southpaw has been feeling good throughout the process, and Ragans' next step in his rehab will be facing live hitters. Ragans has been on the shelf since mid-June, but the Royals remain optimistic that the 27-year-old can return to the rotation before the end of the season.

Megill (elbow) could be activated from the 60-day injured list to start Friday's game against the Marlins at Citi Field, Tim Britton of The Athletic reports.

The Mets will likely want to add a sixth starter this coming Friday in order to buy an extra day of rest for David Peterson and Kodai Senga, and while prospects Brandon Sproat and Jonah Tong are also call-up candidates, Megill might make the most sense after an impressive effort during the third start of his rehab assignment this past Friday with Triple-A Syracuse. In the outing, Megill allowed just one hit and one walk while striking out four and firing 39 of 65 pitches for strikes. If he does get activated to start Friday, it's not clear if Megill will remain in the rotation beyond that outing, asNolan McLean has pitched well in his first two big-league stats to make a case for a permanent stay with the Mets. Over 68.1 innings this season before being sidelined by an elbow sprain in mid-June, Megill compiled a 3.95 ERA, 1.36 WHIP and 89:33 K:BB.

Melton collected his first hold of the season while allowing one earned run on two hits and one walk over 1.1 innings of relief in Saturday's 4-2 win over the Royals.

After earning his third win of the season while tossing five scoreless frames against the White Sox in an Aug. 13 start, Melton has since shifted back to the bullpen. Melton will likely fill a flexible relief role for Detroit for the time being, but after tossing 12 shutout innings between his last two starts, he should rank as the top option to join the rotation if a spot opens up at some point over the final five weeks of the season.

Garcia went 2-for-4 with a solo home run, an additional run scored and a walk in Sunday's 10-8 win over the Tigers.

Garcia provided insurance in the seventh inning with a solo homer off Brenan Hanifee, his 13th long ball of the year, to push the Royals' lead to three runs. The third baseman has been swinging a hot bat lately, notching multi-hit efforts in three of his past seven games and eight times in 22 contests this month. With Sunday's production, the 25-year-old is now batting .300 on the season with 32 doubles, five triples, 13 homers, 58 RBI, 22 steals and an .832 OPS across 129 games.

Wagaman went 2-for-4 with a solo home run and a second run scored in Sunday's win over the Blue Jays.

The infielder took Kevin Gausman deep in the third inning, giving Wagaman nine long balls on the season. He isn't getting consistent playing time, but Wagaman's taking advantage of his opportunities in August, slashing .250/.345/.583 over 55 plate appearances with half of his 12 hits (two triples and four homers) going for extra bases.

Ramirez went 1-for-4 with an RBI and a stolen base in Sunday's win over the Blue Jays.

The 23-year-old backstop swiped his 10th bag in 105 big-league games, and between the majors and Triple-A this season, Ramirez is 15-for-17 on steal attempts. The speed offers an extra element to his fantasy appeal, but he's also slugged 18 homers with 57 RBI in his first taste of the Show, and his .232/.288/.430 slash line is significantly below his expected numbers based on the underlying metrics -- his bat speed is in the 89th percentile, while his average exit velocity (75th percentile) and hard-hit rate (73rd percentile) are strong as well. Ramirez seems poised to emerge as one of the league's top offensive catchers as soon as 2026.