MLB Player News

Cespedes (hip) might play some first base to help limit potential injuries, Anthony DiComo of MLB.com reports.

Cespedes was activated from the disabled list Friday and is serving as designated hitter against the Yankees in his return from a strained hip flexor. The team also said there's a chance the 32-year-old is a late scratch some days, James Wagner of The New York Times reports, which is hardly an encouraging sign after spending over two months on the disabled list. Cespedes seems likely to have a fair share of days off through the rest of the season as the Mets attempt to keep him healthy.

Pederson is not in the lineup for Friday's game at Milwaukee.

Pederson will sit out the first game of the second half as Chris Taylor moves to left field to accommodate new addition Manny Machado. The move is likely to cut into Pederson's playing time a bit with an already crowded outfield, especially once Yasiel Puig (oblique) returns from the disabled list in the coming weeks.

Turner (groin) is not in the lineup against Milwaukee on Friday.

Turner suffered a groin injury during last Thursday's game against the Padres and subsequently sat out the final three contests before the All-Star break. He will remain on the bench for the time being while Max Muncy gets a start at third base in his absence. Consider him day-to-day ahead of Saturday's affair.

Vogelbach was recalled from Triple-A Tacoma on Friday.

Vogelbach will return to the big leagues after spending the past month in Triple-A. Over that time, he hit .305 with a .981 OPS and 18 RBI. He will likely see some time at first base against right-handers, especially given Ryon Healy's struggles at the dish.

Ozuna went 2-for-5 with an RBI single in a loss to the Cubs on Thursday.

Ozuna has now hit safely in six of his last eight games overall, although he still sports an ugly .190 average over 60 plate appearances in July. The veteran outfielder appeared to have worked his way through a power drought earlier in the summer, but he's now gone without a home run since June 16, a 27-game stretch during which he's slashed just .222/.246/.250 across 114 plate appearances.

Cespedes (hip) was reinstated from the 10-day disabled list Friday.

Cespedes will likely man the DH spot during Friday's game against the Yankees after returning to the active roster following a nine-week hiatus due to a strained hip flexor. Look for Cespedes to serve exclusively as the club's designated hitter this weekend before returning to the field next week. Across 37 games for the Mets this year, he's hit .255 with a .790 OPS.

Carpenter went 1-for-4 with a solo home run in a loss to the Cubs on Thursday.

Carpenter started the second half of the season the way he ended the first by leaving the yard for a third straight game. In what is now a two month-plus tear at the plate, the 32-year-old has boosted his once anemic .558 OPS to .909, which qualifies as the 16th highest in all of baseball.

Ohtani is set to start a throwing program in the coming days following his six week reevaluation on his throwing elbow.

After being reexamined, it was determined that Ohtani's right elbow ligament is healing, and he could pitch again sometime this season if all goes well. Although he's been shut down from throwing since June 8, he's managed to contribute with his bat in the designated hitter slot. Expect more updates on Ohtani's status as he progresses through his throwing program.

Cespedes (hip) is expected to be reinstated from the 10-day DL prior to Friday's game against the Yankees, Mike Puma of the New York Post reports.

If he does return for the second-half opener, it's anticipated that Cespedes will serve as the club's DH with the series being held in the Bronx. Cespedes has played in a pair of minor-league games over the past couple days, which included the outfielder lifting a home run while manning first base for High-A St. Lucie on Wednesday.

Cespedes (hip) played nine innings at first base in a rehab game Wednesday for High-A St. Lucie and went 1-for-4 with a three-run home run.

Cespedes has now played three games -- one simulated game and two minor-league rehab contests -- over the last three days, which suggests he'll be ready to return from the 10-day disabled list for the Mets' first game out of the All-Star break Friday against the Yankees. It's expected that Cespedes will be deployed as the Mets' designated hitter during the three-game series in the Bronx before likely returning to the field on a full-time basis next week. Due to the emergence of Brandon Nimmo this season, the Mets boast a crowded outfield, so Cespedes may end up seeing occasional work at first base for the first time in his MLB career as the team looks to roll out its strongest overall lineup.