MLB Player News

Soto (calf) did wind sprints on the field prior to Friday's game, and the superstar outfielder intends to play again this season, Bill Ladson of MLB.com reports.

Soto still doesn't have a clear timeline for his return from the IL, but his ability to run Friday is an encouraging sign. The biggest hurdle for a quick return to the lineup might come from the fact that the Mets are well out of the playoff picture, giving them no incentive to rush Soto back into action. He last played July 24, and over 84 games this season he's produced a .283/.408/.539 slash line with 21 homers and seven steals, and that .408 OBP would lead the National League if Soto had enough plate appearances to qualify.

Swanson isn't in the lineup for Saturday's game against the Cardinals.

Swanson will move to the bench Saturday after going 1-for-3 with a steal and a run scored during Friday's victory. His absence will cause Nico Hoerner to move over to shortstop, opening up second base for Pedro Ramirez.

Kelly isn't in the lineup for Saturday's game against the Cardinals.

Kelly will get a day off after beginning the series by going 1-for-3 with two strikeouts Friday. Miguel Amaya will handle catching duties and bat ninth.

Cox went 1-for-4 with a triple and a run scored in Friday's 5-2 loss to the Rockies.

Cox was recalled from Triple-A Sacramento on Friday and stepped into the leadoff spot against Colorado. The 25-year-old outfielder hit a leadoff triple in the ninth inning before coming around to score the Giants' final run. He's now slashing .267/.267/.533 with six runs scored, four stolen bases, three RBI, two triples and a home run across 33 plate appearances this season.

Devers went 1-for-4 with an RBI double in Friday's 5-2 loss to the Rockies.

After going 0-for-8 in his previous three games, Devers hit an RBI double in the ninth inning, driving in San Francisco's final run. The veteran infielder hasn't been very productive this month, batting .220 with five runs scored, four RBI and two home runs in 48 plate appearances. Overall, he's slashing .245/.320/.467 with 65 RBI, 62 runs scored and 24 long balls across 515 plate appearances this season.

Peralta will serve as the Padres' opening pitcher in Saturday's game against the Guardians.

Peralta has given up 11 earned runs in 12.2 innings since the All-Star break, but the Padres will trust him to get through the first inning or two of Saturday's contest nonetheless. Randy Vasquez is likely to work in bulk relief once Peralta comes out of the game.

The Cardinals optioned Prieto to Triple-A Memphis on Saturday, Jeff Jones of the Belleville News-Democrat reports.

Prieto boasts an .890 OPS across 300 plate appearances in the minors this season, but he's gone just 1-for-31 at the plate with the parent club. He'll now return to Memphis to rediscover his swing, clearing room on the active roster for top prospect Joshua Baez.

The Cardinals recalled Baez from Triple-A Memphis on Saturday, Jeff Jones of the Belleville News-Democrat reports.

One of the top prospects in all of baseball, Baez will make his MLB debut Saturday against the Cubs after slashing .254/.326/.572 this season at Memphis while tallying 34 homers, 90 RBI, 79 runs scored and 21 steals in 103 games. The 23-year-old is likely to immediately fill an everyday role upon joining the Cardinals and is worth picking up in virtually all formats. Cesar Prieto was optioned to Triple-A in a corresponding move.

Lowe went 1-for-4 with a three-run home run Friday against the Red Sox.

Lowe broke the game open for the Pirates with his three-run blast in the fifth inning. He has three home runs across his last eight starts, giving him 26 for the season. Lowe is posting a nearly identical line to his 2025 campaign, though he is on track to post his highest plate appearance total since 2021, which has helped boost his counting stats.

Reynolds went 2-for-4 with a double, three runs scored and a stolen base in Friday's 8-4 win over the Red Sox.

The veteran outfielder stole a bag for a second straight contest as he tries to find ways to stay productive while mired in a 16-game homer drought. During that stretch, Reynolds has managed just a .230/.319/.279 slash line with three doubles, two steals, two RBI and nine runs.