MLB Player News

Romero has surrendered just one earned run over his last 23 appearances, netting 12 holds over that stretch.

Romero held a 7.27 ERA and 5:6 K:BB over 8.2 innings covering his first 11 appearances. He was averaging just 92.8 mph with his sinker during that span, but after work in the weight room and a mechanical adjustment, Romero has his sinker up to 94.3 mph on average during the aforementioned 23-game stretch. The left-hander is the Cardinals' primary left-handed setup man and should continue to be a solid source of holds moving forward.

McNeil is not in the lineup for the first game of Thursday's doubleheader in Baltimore.

McNeil should be back in the starting nine for the nightcap, but he'll begin Thursday's matinee on the bench. Tyrone Taylor will cover center field and Brett Baty will start at second base for the Mets in the first contest of the day.

The Mets recalled Acuna from Triple-A Syracuse on Thursday.

Acuna slashed .241/.293/.283 with 11 steals in 65 games for the Mets before being sent down to Triple-A last month. He will offer a bit more versatility than outfielder Travis Jankowski, who was designated for assignment to clear a spot on the 26-man active roster for Acuna. Even so, Acuna is unlikely to find himself in the lineup on a regular basis.

The Mets recalled Warren from Triple-A Syracuse on Thursday.

Warren will be the 27th man on the roster for the Mets in Thursday's doubleheader against the Orioles. The righty reliever has allowed one run in five frames for the Mets this season and has collected a 3.82 ERA and 38:12 K:BB over 30.2 innings with Syracuse.

The Mets designated Jankowski for assignment Thursday.

Jankowski was added to the roster two-plus weeks ago but saw just one plate appearance during his time with the Mets. The veteran outfielder is likely to clear waivers and become a free agent.

De La Cruz went 2-for-4 with two doubles, two RBI and a run scored in Wednesday's 8-2 win over Miami.

De La Cruz had run-producing doubles in the first and fourth innings. The extra-base hits were his first in 14 games. De La Cruz, who was named to the NL All-Star team for a second straight season, has a .277/.349/.487 slash line with 18 home runs (T-22nd in MLB), 62 RBI (13th), 69 runs (third) and 22 steals (tied for eighth) through 93 games.

The Mets will recall Acuna from Triple-A Syracuse, Jon Heyman of the New York Post reports.

Presumably, Acuna will serve as the 27th man for Thursday's doubleheader in Baltimore. The utility infielder was sent down to Syracuse last month after slashing .241/.293/.283 with 11 steals in 65 contests.

Assad (oblique) has been completing bullpen sessions as part of his rehab work but has yet to throw live batting practice, which the team says is his next step, MLB.com reports.

Assad, who suffered a left oblique strain during spring training and then aggravated the injury during a rehab start in late April, has yet to throw a pitch for the Cubs this season. The righty is still targeting an August return, but after missing such a significant chunk of time, it wouldn't be surprising to see him eased into action via a long-relief role. Assad worked exclusively out of the rotation last year, compiling a 3.73 ERA in 29 starts (147 innings) for the Cubs. In 2023, he served as a valuable swing man and posted a 3.05 ERA across 109.1 innings while making 10 starts and 22 relief appearances.

The Dodgers outrighted Alexander to Triple-A Oklahoma City on Wednesday.

Alexander cleared waivers after being removed from the Dodgers' 40-man roster but will remain in the organization as a depth corner infielder and outfielder. He's a career .259/.328/.482 hitter at the Triple-A level.

Encarnacion-Strand went unused off the bench in Wednesday's 7-2 win over the Marlins.

Since Noelvi Marte's return from the injured list last Friday, Encarnacion-Strand has started once over the last five games. For now, Marte and Spencer Steer will continue to garner most of the starts at the corner-infield spots, while Austin Hays and Gavin Lux appear set to share left field and the designated-hitter spot when the Reds face right-handed pitching. Encarnacion-Strand has batted just .179 over his last 17 games, and with his playing time on the downswing, he could soon be headed for a demotion to Triple-A Louisville.