MLB Player News

The Mets optioned Melendez to Triple-A Syracuse on Tuesday.

The 27-year-old joined the Mets on a one-year, $1.5 million contract in February after being non-tendered by the Royals at the start of the offseason. Melendez went 4-for-11 with two homers in his four spring games with the Mets but struggled for Team Puerto Rico in the World Baseball Classic, going 0-for-4 with two walks and two strikeouts. He could be up with the Mets at some point this season.

Brieske has a left groin strain and will open the season on the injured list, Cody Stavenhagen of The Athletic reports.

He slipped while working on his delivery in a routine workout recently, which is why he was scratched from his scheduled appearance Monday. Brieske will miss at least the first couple weeks of the regular season.

Avila allowed two hits and a hit-by-pitch across 2.1 scoreless innings Monday in Team Venezuela's 4-2 win over Team Italy in the World Baseball Classic. He struck out one.

Avila provided valuable length in what amounted to an all-hands-on-deck bullpen game, entering in the fourth inning and recording seven crucial outs without allowing a run to keep Italy at two runs and help fuel Venezuela's comeback victory to reach the World Baseball Classic championship game. Across two WBC appearances, the young right-hander has allowed an unearned run on three hits, three walks and two hit-by-pitches while tallying three strikeouts in 4.1 innings. Coming off a 1.29 ERA and 0.93 WHIP in 14 relief innings with the Royals last season, Avila is a candidate to make the Opening Day roster out of the bullpen, though he could also be stretched out as a starter at Triple-A Omaha.

The Mets optioned Scott to Triple-A Syracuse on Tuesday.

Scott got stretched out to 56 pitches over three-plus innings in his most recent Grapefruit League start Monday, allowing three runs and striking out four Nationals batters. He generated seven whiffs with his splitter and four more with his fastball in Monday's outing. It's no surprise to see him ticketed for Triple-A to start his first full season back from Tommy John surgery, but Scott could be the first name called when the big-league rotation needs reinforcements. All told, Scott logged a 4.50 ERA, 1.67 WHIP and 8:4 K:BB in six innings during Grapefruit League play. He threw 89.2 innings in 2024 and missed all of 2025 while recovering from a hybrid Tommy John and internal brace surgery.

The Pirates optioned Sisk to Triple-A Indianapolis on Tuesday.

Sisk walked six but allowed just two runs on three hits with seven strikeouts over six innings during spring training, but it wasn't enough to earn a spot on the Opening Day roster. The left-hander had a 3.57 ERA and 25:10 K:BB across 17.2 frames in the majors last year and should receive a look with the Pirates at some point this season.

Cole (elbow) will start Wednesday's Grapefruit League game against the Red Sox and pitch one inning, Bryan Hoch of MLB.com reports.

The right-hander will be making his first appearance in a game since undergoing Tommy John surgery with an internal brace last March. It's an encouraging development for Cole, who is likely to open the season on the 60-day injured list but could return when he's first eligible in in late May.

Williamson has impressed manager Kevin Cash this spring with his ability to handle second base and shortstop in addition to his burgeoning power, Ryan Bass of FanDuel Sports Network Sun reports.

"The bat has really come to life," Cash said of Williamson. "He's a big, strong guy and the power has kind of showed up here. He's had some big at-bats and drives the ball well, so it looks like he can really help us." Acquired this offseason from Seattle, Williamson is hitting .375 with two home runs, two steals and a 5:4 K:BB in 36 plate appearances this spring. While the righty-hitting Williamson figures to be in the lineup against lefties, his strong spring and quality defense at multiple positions opens the door for him to find work against righties as well.

Garcia went 2-for-4 with an RBI in Team Venezuela's 4-2 win Monday over Team Italy in the World Baseball Classic.

Garcia came up clutch with a two-out RBI single off Michael Lorenzen in the seventh inning, giving Venezuela its first lead of the day -- one it wouldn't relinquish en route to securing a berth in the World Baseball Classic championship game. The infielder has produced at a high level throughout the tournament, slashing .435/.458/.652 with two doubles, a homer, six RBI and three stolen bases across six games. Coming off a breakout 2025 in which he posted an .800 OPS with 39 doubles, 16 homers, 74 RBI, 81 runs scored and 23 stolen bases across 160 regular-season games, Garcia carries plenty of momentum into the 2026 campaign with the Royals.

Benge went 2-for-2 with two walks, a double and a run scored in Monday's Grapefruit League game against the Nationals.

Getting the start in right field and batting leadoff, Benge put together another impressive performance. The 23-year-old has done everything he's needed to do so far in camp to show he's ready to begin the season in the majors, slashing a sizzling .406/.472/.500 through 36 plate appearances with a 3:5 BB:K.

Miller (back) is unlikely to be ready for Opening Day at Triple-A Lehigh Valley, Charlotte Varnes of The Athletic reports.

The same back issue kept Miller from playing during the Arizona Fall League and most of spring training, and he looks like he'll be on the shelf indefinitely at Triple-A to start the season. Assuming he can eventually get healthy, Miller will have some rust to knock off, but he doesn't need much more minor-league seasoning before he's ready to help the big club.