MLB Player News

Bryant (back) said that he will consult with a doctor over the phone Monday before visiting another specialist in Dallas soon thereafter to try "experimental treatments" for his degenerative disk disease, Thomas Harding of MLB.com reports.

Bryant said that he's been able to work out and do light hitting, but his back continues to respond poorly when he's attempted to run since getting an ablation procedure May 8. According to Bryant, the only other surgical method for his back would be a fusion procedure that would make it difficult to continue his playing career, so he's understandably looking into alternative treatment plans that would improve his chances of getting back on the field this season. Since signing a seven-year, $182 million contract with the Rockies in March 2022, Bryant has played in just 128 of Colorado's 414 games while batting .244 with 17 home runs, 75 runs and 61 RBI over 712 plate appearances.

Blackburn (shoulder) played catch out to 75 feet Sunday, MLB.com reports.

After being placed on the injured list Thursday due to a right shoulder impingement, Blackburn was cleared to initiate a throwing program just three days later. Blackburn should have a chance at returning from the IL when first eligible shortly after the All-Star break, but he could be in store for a bullpen role upon his activation. The Mets currently have just three healthy rotation members, but Kodai Senga (hamstring) and Sean Manaea (elbow) both appear poised to return from the IL next weekend in Kansas City.

Manager Carlos Mendoza said Sunday that Winker (oblique) could return from the 60-day injured list when the Mets open their three-game series in Baltimore on Tuesday, Anthony DiComo of MLB.com reports.

Winker has been on the shelf since May 4 due to a right oblique strain, but he looks ready to rejoin the big club after he went 4-for-12 with two home runs, one double and three walks across five rehab games with High-A Brooklyn, Double-A Binghamton and Triple-A Syracuse. The 31-year-old didn't get any exposure to the corner outfield during his rehab assignment, and while DiComo relays that the Mets have no imminent plans to use him on defense upon his return, the left-handed-hitting Winker should see regular starts against right-handed pitching as the strong side of a platoon at designated hitter.

Mets manager Carlos Mendoza said Sunday that Senga (hamstring) is likely to return from the 15-day injured list next weekend and is expected to start either Friday or Saturday in Kansas City, Anthony DiComo of MLB.com reports. "When he went down [with a right hamstring strain], in my head it was more like after the All-Star break," Mendoza said. "For him to be in play for us now before we go into the All-Star break, it's huge for us."

Before confirming which day Senga will return from the IL, the Mets will wait and see how he bounces back from the rehab start he made Saturday for Double-A Binghamton. The right-hander was charged with four runs (three earned) on six hits and two walks while striking out four over 3.2 innings, but the fact that he covered 68 pitches and experienced no complications with his hamstring is of greater importance than his results. Assuming he's given the green light to pitch this weekend, Senga shouldn't be operating with any significant restrictions in what would be his first start with the big club since June 12, though the Mets probably won't overextend him with the All-Star break looming.

Ramirez re-signed Sunday with the Pirates on minor-league contract.

After the Pirates granted him his release from his minor-league deal Friday, Ramirez was a free agent for two days before rejoining the organization on a new deal. The 30-year-old has yet to pitch in the majors this season but may not be far off a promotion after turning in a 3.29 ERA, 1.22 WHIP and 35:10 K:BB in 27.1 innings with Indianapolis prior to his release.

Kolek was optioned to Triple-A El Paso on Sunday, AJ Cassavell of MLB.com reports.

Kolek will head to El Paso after posting a disappointing 6.23 ERA and 1.38 WHIP with 20 punchouts over 26 innings in his last five starts. The cold stretch came on the heels of back-to-back scoreless outings for the right-hander, and he will now look to reset at Triple-A. The move made room for Kyle Hart to join the major-league roster, and Hart is expected to operate as the team's bulk reliever behind opener David Morgan against the Rangers on Sunday.

Mets manager Carlos Mendoza said after Sunday's 6-4 loss to the Yankees that Marte will get evaluated after his knee "flared up" in the ninth inning, Anthony DiComo of MLB.com reports.

Marte was in the lineup for the fourth time in the last five games but was making just his fifth start of the season in the outfield while Brandon Nimmo served as the Mets' designated hitter. The 36-year-old provided a spark from the top of the order over his five plate appearances with three base hits and his fifth stolen base of the season, but the flareup of his chronic knee issue now clouds his availability heading into the All-Star break. Even if Marte is able to quickly bounce back from the knee problem, his playing time could soon trend downward with Jesse Winker (oblique) expected to return from the injured list at some point during the upcoming week.

The Padres recalled Hart from Triple-A El Paso on Sunday, AJ Cassavell of MLB.com reports.

Hart will rejoin the Padres for the first time since late May, after he was demoted upon turning in a 6.66 ERA and 1.36 WHIP over six starts with the big club. The lefty hasn't fared much better since returning to El Paso (6.57 ERA, 1.66 WHIP, 20:9 K:BB in 24.2 innings), but he'll get the call back to the majors with the Padres short on rotation arms. Though he won't start Sunday's game against the Rangers, Hart is a likely candidate to pitch in bulk relief behind David Morgan, who isn't expected to cover more than an inning or two as the Padres' opening pitcher. In a corresponding move, San Diego optioned righty Stephen Kolek to El Paso.

Morgan will serve as the Padres' opening pitcher for Sunday's game against the Rangers, AJ Cassavell of MLB.com reports.

Morgan will be making the first start of his professional career, as he's worked exclusively in relief since signing with the Padres as an undrafted free agent in 2022. The 25-year-old is available on five days' rest and has covered two innings in both of his last two relief appearances, but the Padres aren't likely to push his workload too far beyond that level Sunday before turning the game over to the bullpen.

Ogasawara (0-1) took the loss Sunday against the Red Sox, allowing four runs on seven hits over 2.2 innings. He struck out two.

It was a rude welcome for Ogasawara in his major-league debut -- the Red Sox jumped on the left-hander for four runs in the first inning, capped by a Trevor Story two-run homer. Ogasawara, who was sidelined for much of the first half of the season with an oblique injury, pitched to a 4.80 ERA in three rehab outings with Triple-A Rochester. Despite his struggles Sunday, Ogasawara figures to remain in the Nats rotation, at least through the All-Star break, with Trevor Williams (elbow) landing on the IL.