MLB Player News

Blackburn (knee) is expected to make one more rehab start Tuesday with Triple-A Syracuse before making his season debut for the Mets the following Monday against the Dodgers, Tim Britton of the Athletic reports.

The 31-year-old right-hander has been sharp over three starts for Syracuse, posting a 2.63 ERA, 1.06 WHIP and 13:6 K:BB through 13.2 innings, but the Mets have delayed activating Blackburn from the IL until they had a need in the rotation. That need arrives this weekend, when the team plays 10 straight games without an off day beginning May 30. It's not clear if New York will stick with a six-man rotation after that stretch, or if Blackburn will then shift into a long relief role.

Contreras (back) is in the lineup for Monday's game against Orioles, starting at first base and batting cleanup.

A bout of back spasms kept Contreras out of the starting lineup for all three games over the weekend, but he reported improvement Sunday and is evidently feeling well to play in the series opener in Baltimore against right-hander Charlie Morton. The 33-year-old Contreras has six homers this year but has not produced to his usual levels so far, posting a .729 OPS through 49 games, matching his career low.

Nimmo (neck) was available off the bench if needed during Sunday's win over the Dodgers, and he's hoping to rejoin the lineup Monday against the White Sox, Tim Britton of the Athletic reports.

The 32-year-old outfielder has missed the last two games due to a stiff neck, but the issue doesn't appear as though it will keep him out much longer. Nimmo was mired in an 0-for-16 slump prior to the two days off, dropping his slash line over 77 plate appearances in May to .206/.299/.368.

Goodman is not in the starting lineup for Monday's game against the Cubs.

Goodman has been a top-three catcher for traditional fantasy leagues so far this season on account of his .275 average, seven homers, one steal, 31 RBI and 25 runs scored. He has been anchoring the Colorado lineup in the No. 3 spot but will get a rare day off with the Rockies playing an early-afternoon game on Memorial Day. Jacob Stallings will catch for starter Carson Palmquist while Nick Martini serves as the designated hitter.

The Brewers reinstated Hall (lat) from the 60-day injured list Monday.

Hall has been out since early in the calendar year with a lat strain but recently built up to three innings in a rehab start with Triple-A Nashville, allowing two hits and one walk while striking out six. He will presumably be available for length out of the bullpen for the Brewers' series against the Red Sox. The lefty pitched to a 5.02 ERA, 1.60 WHIP and 44:21 K:BB in 43 innings (13 appearances) with Milwaukee last season.

The Brewers optioned Henderson to Triple-A Nashville on Monday.

Henderson has gotten off to a brilliant start to his MLB career, going 3-0 with a 1.71 ERA and 0.95 WHIP over 21 innings across his first four starts. However, he just pitched Sunday, and the Brewers have decided they are in immediate need of length in the bullpen heading into this week's series against the Red Sox. DL Hall (lat) was activated from the 60-day injured list to take Henderson's spot on the active roster.

White will work on the short side of a platoon in left field with Alex Verdugo now that Ronald Acuna is back in the lineup, David O'Brien of the Athletic reports.

White's actually had slightly better numbers against right-handed pitching so far this season, posting an .814 OPS in 87 plate appearances in that split versus Verdugo's .760 OPS in 100 PAs, but manager Brian Snitker will go with a conventional platoon for now between the two. How the duo performs will likely determine how long the arrangement lasts, and White wasn't doing himself any favors by batting .225 (9-for-40) with a 1:10 BB:K in his last 10 games before Acuna's activation from the IL on Friday.

Verdugo will handle the strong side of a platoon in left field with Eli White now that Ronald Acuna is back in the lineup, David O'Brien of the Athletic reports.

White's actually had slightly better numbers against right-handed pitching so far this season, posting an .814 OPS in 87 plate appearances in that split versus Verdugo's .760 OPS in 100 PAs, but manager Brian Snitker will go with a conventional platoon for now between the two. How the duo performs will likely determine how long the arrangement lasts, and while Verdugo is batting .324 (11-for-34) over his last 10 games, all 11 hits have been singles. The 29-year-old may need to supply a little more pop to maintain the bigger share of the left-field workload.

Albies went 2-for-2 with a walk, two doubles, a run scored and an RBI in Sunday's loss to the Padres.

The second baseman delivered multiple extra-base hits in a contest for the first time this season as he extended his hitting streak to 11 games. Albies is slashing .366/.435/.463 during his surge with four doubles, four RBI and six runs, but he remains mired in a 20-game homer drought. He's had a rough start to the season overall, but the return of Ronald Acuna might help light a fire under Albies and Atlanta's other slumbering hitters.

Ramos is not in the starting lineup for Monday's game against the Tigers.

Ramos has been on a tear since late April, slashing .352/.419/.593 with six homers and a steal over his last 25 games, but he will get what looks like a routine breather with the Giants playing early on Memorial Day. Luis Matos steps in as the left fielder, batting ninth against right-hander Keider Montero.