MLB Player News

King is slashing .295/.409/.602 through 23 games for Double-A Harrisburg with six homers, three steals, 23 runs and 24 RBI.

The 2024 first-round pick may have been the biggest beneficiary of the Nationals' overhaul of their minor-league development program under new president of baseball operations Paul Toboni. King's 1.011 OPS is more than 400 points better than what he managed in 80 games at Harrisburg last season, and advanced metrics paint an even rosier picture of the 23-year-old's improvement. Per Spencer Nusbaum of The Athletic, King's average exit velocity has jumped from about 87 mph to 93.5 mph, and his chase rate has dropped from about 38 percent to around 25 percent. The Wake Forest product is knocking loudly on the door for a promotion to Triple-A Rochester.

Torrens went 0-for-2 with a strikeout in Thursday's loss to the Nationals.

The Mets have bigger problems right now than the production they're getting from their No. 2 catcher, but Torrens has still gone just 2-for-18 without a run or an RBI over his last eight appearances dating back to April 9. He'll continue providing Francisco Alvarez with occasional breathers, but Torrens isn't making any kind of case for a bigger role.

Tong has posted a 5.68 ERA, 1.39 WHIP and 38:15 K:BB through six starts and 25.1 innings for Triple-A Syracuse.

The 22-year-old right-hander is still working on both his control and command -- Tong has issued multiple walks in all six of his starts, and he's served up five homers -- but his 13.5 K/9 in the early going is hard to ignore. The back of the Mets' big-league rotation is a mess, with Kodai Senga (back) having mercifully been placed on the IL and David Peterson struggling badly, and while Christian Scott has already been called up to fill Senga's spot, there could be more changes coming for the 10-21 squad. Tong's biggest obstacle to a promotion might be Syracuse rotation-mate Jack Wenninger, who's produced a 1.61 ERA, 1.27 WHIP and 26:12 K:BB through his first five starts and 22.1 innings this season.

Wenninger allowed four hits and a walk over 5.2 scoreless innings for Triple-A Syracuse on Thursday in a win over Lehigh Valley. He struck out a season-high seven.

Christian Scott is already up in the majors to help out a beleaguered Mets rotation, and Wenninger is making a case to leapfrog Jonah Tong and be the next arm to get called up. Through his first five starts for Syracuse, Wenninger sports a 1.61 ERA, 1.27 WHIP and 26:12 K:BB over 22.1 innings -- a sharp contrast to Tong's 5.68 ERA and 1.39 WHIP in 25.1 innings, although he's also struck out 38 batters against 15 walks. Both young right-handers have control issues to iron out, but with Kodai Senga (back) on the IL and David Peterson struggling badly, there could be another spot open in the big-league rotation very soon.

Atlanta selected Molina's contract from Triple-A Gwinnett on Friday.

Molina has thrown 14 innings this season with Gwinnett, posting a 4.50 ERA and 10:4 K:BB. The 24-year-old is capable of handling multiple innings out of the bullpen, which could be helpful as Atlanta heads to Coors Field this weekend.

Atlanta recalled Stratton from Triple-A Gwinnett on Friday.

Stratton holds a 4.50 ERA and 18:9 K:BB over 12 innings out of the Gwinnett bullpen this season. The 29-year-old will give Atlanta a fresh bullpen arm as it heads into a weekend series in Colorado.

Atlanta designated Suarez for assignment Friday.

Suarez has struck out 21 batters over 16.1 innings in a long relief role, but he's also walked 12 while putting up a 6.61 ERA and 2.08 WHIP. The left-hander will likely clear waivers, and he would have the ability to elect free agency at that point.

Scott is slated to start Friday's game in Anaheim.

During his 2026 MLB debut last week against the Twins, Scott recorded just four outs while issuing five walks and hitting another batter, prompting the Mets to option him to Triple-A Syracuse following the start. The right-hander ended up being recalled Tuesday after Kodai Senga (back) was placed on the injured list, however. With David Peterson (6.53 ERA in 30.1 innings) also pitching poorly, Scott could stick around in the rotation on a more permanent basis if he's able to deliver a strong outing against the Angels.

Atlanta designated Payamps for assignment Friday.

Payamps had collected an 8.22 ERA and 9:4 K:BB over his first 7.2 innings this season. The 32-year-old reliever is a safe bet to pass through waivers, and if that happens he would have the ability to elect free agency.

The Padres optioned Morgan to Triple-A El Paso on Thursday.

Morgan showed lots of promise in his rookie season in 2025, but he's had a rough start to the 2026 campaign with a 6.08 ERA and 15:11 K:BB over 13.1 innings. He'll be back in the majors at some point, but Morgan will try to get things ironed out at El Paso first.