MLB Player News

The second opinion Greene received on his right groin strain Friday reinforced the initial diagnosis, though he also received an epidural for back soreness that surfaced during his last start, Gordon Wittenmyer of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

The right-hander landed on the shelf in early June due to the groin strain, and he appears to have avoided a serious injury. Greene will have one more meeting with doctors in Los Angeles to determine a recovery timeline, so he still seems likely to be out for at least another couple of weeks.

Blackburn will step into the rotation and start Wednesday's game against Atlanta in place of Kodai Senga (hamstring), Mike Puma of the New York Post reports.

Senga was placed on the 15-day injured list Friday, opening a spot in the rotation for Blackburn, who could be in line for multiple starts while the Mets wait for Frankie Montas (lat) and Sean Manaea (oblique) to return from the 60-day IL. After a lengthy IL stint of his own to start 2025, Blackburn has pitched nine innings in his two MLB appearances, allowing three runs on 10 hits and two walks with six strikeouts. He threw 71 pitches in his most recent outing.

The Mets placed Senga (hamstring) on the 15-day injured list Friday.

Senga left his start Thursday in the sixth inning after straining his right hamstring. Reliever Max Kranick was recalled from Triple-A Syracuse in a corresponding move. Senga will be eligible to return June 28, but it's unclear if he'll need more than the minimum 15 days to recover.

Sykora dazzled for High-A Wilmington on Thursday, striking out 10 without walking a batter over five scoreless innings while allowing just two hits.

The Nationals' top pitching prospect sat through a brief rain delay before the game began, but Sykora didn't bat an eye -- he struck out the side in the first inning and didn't allow a baserunner to get past second base over 79 pitches (55 strikes) before leaving the mound. The 21-year-old righty sports a 1.00 ERA, 0.50 WHIP and stunning 32:2 K:BB over 18 innings since his promotion to High-A, and Washington may have little choice but to bump him up another level to Double-A in the near future just to try and find a challenge for him.

Burns gave up two earned runs on four hits and four walks while striking out seven in 5.1 innings Thursday for Triple-A Louisville.

In his Triple-A debut, Burns held his own against a stacked Iowa lineup that includes Moises Ballesteros, Jonathon Long, Owen Caissie and Kevin Alcantara. The 22-year-old righty averaged 97.1 mph on his four-seam fastball and touched 98.6 mph, and his 89-mph slider got whiffs 50 percent of the time. Now that he's at Triple-A, Burns could be promoted to the majors at any point and is a must-stash where possible.

Blackburn appears to be the top option to replace the injured Kodai Senga (hamstring) in New York's rotation, Will Sammon of the Athletic reports.

Blackburn missed the first two-plus months of the season due to knee problems, but the veteran right-hander has been impressive since coming off the injured list, blanking the Dodgers over five innings in a spot start for his 2025 debut June 2 before recording his first career save in a long-relief stint against the Rockies last Sunday. He worked over 70 pitches in both appearances, so length wouldn't be an issue if he shifts back into the rotation. The Mets will wait and see how Frankie Montas (lat) looks in his rehab start Friday before making any decisions on who will take Senga's next turn, however.

Taillon (7-3) recorded the win Thursday against the Pirates after giving up two runs on four hits and two walks in 6.1 innings. He struck out seven.

Taillon extended his streak of quality starts to six, and it was also his eighth such effort in his last nine outings. The 33-year-old right-hander has yielded greater than three runs on just two occasions this year, and he also tied his season high in punchouts Thursday. Taillon holds a steady 3.48 ERA, 0.98 WHIP and 65:16 K:BB across 82.2 innings ahead of his next appearance, which is set to come versus a Brewers team that's batting a paltry .218 against righties since the start of May.

Heaney (3-5) took the loss Thursday against the Cubs after giving up three runs on four hits and no walks in six innings. He struck out seven.

It was the fifth quality start of the year for Heaney, who registered his most strikeouts since April 23 against the Angels. The veteran left-hander perhaps dangerously poured in 54 of his 76 pitches for strikes against a tough Cubs lineup, as Chicago was able to tag him for two home runs. Heaney owns a strong 3.33 ERA, 1.11 WHIP and 59:24 K:BB across 78.1 innings, but he may be a riskier fantasy option than usual his next time out against a Tigers club that's slugging a potent .472 versus southpaws since May 1.

Gray (7-2) took the loss Thursday against the Brewers after giving up six runs on eight hits and one walk in 4.1 innings. He struck out four.

Gray allowed his second-most runs of the season in what was tied for his second-shortest outing of the year. The veteran right-hander did at least exhibit his usual control, walking one or fewer in his seventh straight start, but he fanned fewer than five for the first time in his past five outings. Gray is still in possession of a healthy 3.84 ERA, 1.18 WHIP and 85:15 K:BB over 79.2 innings, and he'll have a prime opportunity to right the ship against the lowly White Sox in his next scheduled appearance.

Misiorowski spoke to the media after Thursday's start against the Cardinals and said he was feeling fine despite suffering an apparent leg injury, Adam McCalvy of MLB.com reports.

Misiorowski was brilliant through five innings in his debut, not allowing a hit or a run. He was lifted one batter into the sixth frame after suffering an apparent ankle or leg injury, though the team clarified that it was just cramping. Despite the scare, Misiorowski should be ready for his next turn through the rotation.