MLB Player News

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

Though he had been included in the lineup in each of the Mets' last six games while the team went up against right-handed starting pitchers, the left-handed-hitting Baty will take a seat while southpaw Connor Prielipp toes the rubber for Minnesota. With Juan Soto (calf) making his return from the injured list Wednesday, the Mets may only have one spot available in the lineup moving forward for either Baty and Carson Benge when the team faces right-handers. Both players have struggled to produce at the plate through the first four weeks of the season, with Baty owning a .498 OPS and Benge generating a .416 OPS.

Hayes is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Rays.

Hayes will hit the bench after going 2-for-12 with a solo home run, two walks and an additional run while starting in the Reds' last four games. Eugenio Suarez will replace Hayes at third base in the series finale.

Pauley is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Cardinals.

The left-handed-hitting Pauley often sits versus southpaws, but he'll be heading to the bench Wednesday while right-hander Kyle Leahy starts for the Cardinals. Though Javier Sanoja will fill in at third base in the series finale, Pauley could face a greater threat from Connor Norby for reps at the hot corner once Christopher Morel (oblique) returns from the injured list. Morel had been in line to serve as the Marlins' primary first baseman before straining his oblique prior to Opening Day, but Norby has been handling those duties through the first four weeks of the season and has produced a .738 OPS. Pauley, meanwhile, has struggled to a .492 OPS and has struck out at a 27.3 percent clip over 55 plate appearances.

Vargas started at first base and went 1-for-4 with a home run and three RBI in Tuesday's 11-5 loss to the White Sox.

Vargas connected on a sinker that didn't sink for a three-run home run in the ninth inning. It was his third homer of the season and extended a season-opening hit streak to 16 games. Batting .361 with a 1.004 OPS, Vargas is punching well above his weight; the utility infielder owns a career average of .254 and OPS of .664.

Freeman (illness) is not in the lineup for Tuesday's game versus the Padres.

Freeman was forced to depart Monday's contest against the Dodgers due to illness. He's considered day-to-day. It will be Jordan Beck and Mickey Moniak holding down the corner-outfield spots for the Rockies on Tuesday.

Muncy went 4-for-4 with a pair of solo home runs, two additional runs scored and a walk in a 12-3 win against the Rockies on Monday.

Muncy put the Dodgers on the board with a second-inning solo shot and added another in the ninth. The four-hit performance capped a four-game series against the Rockies during which Muncy went 10-for-17 with four long balls and five RBI. The veteran slugger already has three multi-homer games on the campaign and is tied for third in MLB with eight total home runs through 21 contests.

Freeman left Monday's game against the Dodgers due to illness, Patrick Saunders of The Denver Post reports.

This may actually be a positive development for Freeman, who was suspected of exiting with a back issue that's been plaguing him for the first month of the 2026 season. He can be considered day-to-day moving forward.

Freeman was removed before his first at-bat during Monday's game against the Dodgers, Patrick Saunders of The Denver Post reports.

Freeman drew the start in right field and was scheduled to bat fourth, but he was lifted from the game in the bottom of the first inning. It's not yet clear as to why he departed, but as Saunders pointed out, Freeman has been battling back soreness for much of the young 2026 campaign. The team should have another update on Freeman shortly.

Rumfield is out of the lineup for Monday's game against the Dodgers.

The left-handed-hitting Rumfield was included in the lineup when the Rockies last faced a lefty starter (Colton Gordon) on Tuesday in Houston, but he'll cede first base to Troy Johnston while Colorado goes up against Dodgers southpaw Justin Wrobleski in the series opener. Rumfield has gone 2-for-11 with a pair of base hits and a 0:1 BB:K versus left-handed pitching this season.

Mead went 1-for-4 with a two-run home run in Sunday's 3-0 win over the Giants.

Mead delivered the game's biggest swing, launching a two-run homer off Robbie Ray in the fifth inning to extend Washington's lead. The long ball was his second of the season. Entering Sunday, Mead had been in a slump, going just 2-for-20 over his previous eight games, making this a much-needed breakthrough. The 25-year-old is now slashing .205/.271/.409 with seven RBI and two stolen bases across 48 plate appearances.