MLB Player News

Winker is heading back to New York to undergo an MRI after exiting the first game of Thursday's doubleheader versus the Orioles due to back tightness, Anthony DiComo of MLB.com reports.

Mets manager Carlos Mendoza said that Winker's back "locked up" on him after one plate appearance. More will be known regarding Winker's status after he's examined, but there's a good chance he's headed back to the injured list. Winker was just activated from the 60-day IL on Tuesday after missing a significant chunk of time with an oblique strain. If Winker does need another IL stint, Mark Vientos could receive another chance at regular playing time at designated hitter for the Mets.

Peterson didn't factor into the decision in the opening game of Thursday's doubleheader with the Orioles, allowing one run on five hits over seven innings. He struck out six.

Peterson was excellent Thursday, holding the O's scoreless through his first seven innings. However, he'd depart after allowing a leadoff single in the eighth to Colton Cowser, who'd ultimately score the tying run after the Mets turned to the bullpen. The 29-year-old Peterson has allowed just two earned runs over 13.2 innings in his last two starts after giving up 10 runs across 8.2 innings in his previous two outings. Overall, the left-hander is 6-4 with a 3.06 ERA, 1.24 WHIP and 93:37 K:BB through 18 starts (109 innings) this season.

Stephenson is out of the lineup for Thursday's game against the Marlins.

Jose Trevino will get another turn behind the plate while Stephenson heads to the bench for the second time in the series. Stephenson still appears to be the Reds' clear No. 1 backstop, but he's been in the midst of a lull at the dish of late, having gone 6-for-33 with no home runs and a 33.3 percent strikeout rate over his last 12 games.

Winker was removed from the first game of Thursday's doubleheader versus the Orioles in the fourth inning due to back tightness.

Winker popped out in his lone plate appearance before being removed for pinch hitter Mark Vientos in the fourth. The 31-year-old had returned to action for the Mets on Tuesday following a lengthy stay on the injured list due to an oblique strain, but it's not clear whether the back issue might be related. The Mets could offer more information on Winker later Thursday.

Miller is slashing .261/.400/.457 with three home runs and 16 steals in his last 25 games for Double-A Reading.

Miller was known more for his bat than his speed when the Phillies selected him in the first round a couple years ago, but he's been running wild this year for the Fightin Phils. He got off to a slow start at Double-A, but Miller has come on strong lately and is walking at an 18.3 percent clip over this 25-game stretch. Miller has only played shortstop since getting drafted, but there's a chance he will eventually move to third base.

Wood went 1-for-4 with a solo home run in Wednesday's win over the Cardinals.

The All-Star outfielder belted the third of three Nationals homers on the night, taking John King deep in the seventh inning. Wood has been locked in for most of the last month, slashing .327/.439/.594 over his last 27 games with eight of his 24 long balls on the season, along with three steals, 21 runs and 24 RBI.

Lowe went 2-for-4 with a three-run home run in Wednesday's win over the Cardinals.

His first-inning long ball off Andre Pallante got the ball rolling on an 8-2 rout. Lowe snapped a 13-game homer drought with the blast, but he's been productive over the last few weeks, slashing .263/.318/.537 over his last 20 contests with five of his 14 home runs on the season and 17 of his 61 RBI.

McLean struck out 10 while giving up three hits and three walks over six scoreless innings for Triple-A Syracuse on Wednesday.

It's the second straight start with double-digit strikeouts for the 23-year-old right-hander, who is making a loud statement that he's ready for the next challenge. Over his last nine Triple-A outings, McLean has delivered a 2.59 ERA, 1.07 WHIP and 54:20 K:BB through 48.2 innings. The Mets' big-league rotation is about to get significant reinforcements with both Kodai Senga (hamstring) and Sean Manaea (elbow/oblique) set to come off the IL right before the All-Star break, but McLean could make his MLB debut in the second half if injuries create further opportunities.

Lopez went 1-for-4 with a stolen base in Wednesday's loss to the Reds.

The 26-year-old infielder keeps finding ways to make a fantasy contribution. Over his last 24 games, Lopez is slashing .289/.346/.402 with three of his nine homers and three of his 10 steals on the season, along with a stunning 15 runs and 20 RBI.

Ozuna went 1-for-3 with a walk and a solo home run in Wednesday's rout of the A's.

His sixth-inning blast to right-center field off Mitch Spence was the fifth of five Atlanta long balls against the right-hander in a 9-2 win. Ozuna snapped a 21-game homer drought in the process, a stretch in which the 34-year-old slugger slashed just .182/.281/.234 with six RBI. Ozuna has had a rough first half of the season, and there are signs he could be nearing the end of the road on his career -- his 73.6 mph bat speed is down significantly from the 75.0 mph he recorded in 2023, and his 112.1 mph max exit velocity would be a career low -- but he still boasts an 83rd percentile hard-hit rate and 76th percentile AEV, so there's still some juice left in his bat. A second-half rebound can't be ruled out.