MLB Player News

Mets manager Carlos Mendoza said Wednesday that Robert's back pain hasn't improved, adding that the outfielder will undergo an MRI, Jorge Castillo of ESPN.com reports.

Robert will miss a third straight start Wednesday against the Nationals. More will be known about Robert's status after the imaging results are in, but Mendoza conceded that there's a chance the 28-year-old needs to spend time on the injured list. Tyrone Taylor and MJ Melendez would be in line for more playing time should Robert's absence be extended.

The Brewers outrighted Matos to Triple-A Nashville on Wednesday after he cleared waivers, Todd Rosiak of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reports.

Matos was removed from the 40-man roster last week, but he passed through waivers unclaimed and will stick around in the organization as outfield depth. The 24-year-old went 4-for-20 with a 1:7 BB:K across nine games during his time with the Brewers.

The Brewers selected Fitzpatrick's contract from Triple-A Nashville on Wednesday.

Fitzpatrick had been off to a terrific start with Nashville, allowing just two unearned runs with an 11:2 K:BB over 10.1 innings. He'll receive his first call to the big leagues as a replacement in the Milwaukee bullpen for fellow left-hander Angel Zerpa (forearm), who was placed on the 15-day injured list.

The Brewers placed Zerpa on the 15-day injured list Wednesday due to left forearm tightness, Todd Rosiak of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reports.

According to Jack Stern of BrewerFanatic.com, Zerpa's forearm injury was a factor in him being pulled in the middle of an inning during his most recent appearance against the Pirates on Saturday, when his velocity had noticeably dropped. Manager Pat Murphy told Rosiakl on Wednesday that Zerpa will undergo more testing and receive a second opinion on his injury, but the skipper is anticipating that the lefty reliever will be in line for a lengthy absence. Milwaukee called up southpaw Brian Fitzpatrick from Triple-A Nashville to take Zerpa's spot on the active roster and in the bullpen.

Stephenson is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Pirates.

Jose Trevino will receive a turn behind the dish while Stephenson rests in the penultimate game of the series. Stephenson had started in eight of the Reds' previous 10 games, going 4-for-28 (.143 average) with three RBI over that stretch.

Johnston is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Reds.

He'll join fellow left-handed hitters Jake McCarthy and Edouard Julien on the bench while the Reds send southpaw Brandon Williamson to the hill. With Johnston sitting after he had been included in the lineup in each of the Rockies' previous 13 games, Jordan Beck will pick up a start in the corner outfield.

McCarthy is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Reds.

McCarthy has been poaching playing time in center field from Brenton Doyle of late, but the latter will get the starting nod Wednesday while he has the platoon advantage in his favor with lefty Brandon Williamson on the mound for Cincinnati. Unless he's used off the bench Wednesday, McCarthy will put a six-game hitting streak on hold.

Julien is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Reds.

After starting each of the past three games, the left-handed-hitting Julien will hit the bench while the Reds send a southpaw (Brandon Williamson) to the bump. With Julien taking a seat, Willi Castro (knee) will cover second base in his return to the lineup, and Hunter Goodman will serve as the Rockies' designated hitter while Brett Sullivan draws a start behind the dish.

Castro (knee) will start at second base and bat fifth in Wednesday's game against the Reds.

Castro will move back into the starting nine for the first time since last Thursday, after a sore right knee had limited him to just one brief cameo off the bench over the Rockies' previous four games. When healthy this season, the 29-year-old has held down a near-everyday role while shuffling between all four infield spots and has posted a .664 OPS across 76 plate appearances.

Pages is out of the lineup for Wednesday's contest in Pittsburgh.

Ivan Herrera has been the personal catcher for Andre Pallante this season, so Herrera will step in behind the dish Wednesday while Pages gets a breather. Pages could check back into the lineup for Thursday's series finale.