MLB Player News

Farmer is not in the lineup for Monday's game versus Atlanta.

Farmer's playing time has been slipping lately, as he's now been in the lineup for just half of the Rockies' last eight games and just one of their last four tilts versus right-handers. Alan Trejo is at shortstop and Adael Amador is at second base in Monday's series opener.

The Rockies recalled Mejia from Triple-A Albuquerque on Monday.

Colorado optioned right-hander Bradley Blalock to Triple-A in a corresponding move to clear room on the active roster for Mejia, who will rejoin the Rockies for the second time in less than a week. He was called up from Albuquerque last Thursday to serve as the 27th man for a doubleheader with the Royals and made his MLB debut in the second game of the twin bill, allowing an unearned run over one inning of relief. He was returned to Triple-A immediately after the doubleheader but should be in line for a longer stay with the Rockies this time around.

Blackburn (knee/illness) resumed throwing Sunday and will throw a bullpen session Tuesday, Andrew Tredinnick of The Bergen Record reports.

Blackburn was scratched from a rehab start last week due to a stomach bug that resulted in some weight loss. He's feeling better now, though, and should be able to resume his rehab assignment soon. The righty originally went on the 15-day injured list due to right knee inflammation.

The Rockies optioned Blalock to Triple-A Albuquerque on Monday.

After Ryan Feltner was pushed back a day in the pitching schedule due to a minor back issue, Blalock was called up from Triple-A to make a spot start in Sunday's game against the Reds. He took the loss while serving up six runs ons seven hits and two walks over four frames, but Blalock was at least able to eat some innings and spare a taxed bullpen from more overuse. The Rockies will swap him off the active roster ahead of Monday's game against Atlanta in favor of a fresh relief arm in right-hander Juan Mejia, who was recalled from Triple-A.

Mauricio (knee) went 1-for-3 with a run scored and a stolen base Sunday for Single-A St. Lucie.

After missing the entire 2024 campaign due to ACL surgery that required a follow-up procedure last August, Mauricio was brought along slowly by the Mets this spring and didn't see his first game action of the year until Sunday. The 24-year-old wasted no time demonstrating that he was fully healthy, singling up the middle in his first at-bat and promptly swiping second base. Mauricio still has a minor-league option left, so there's no guarantee he'll be added to the Mets' 26-man roster once his rehab assignment is over, but it looks like he could be ready to bolster the big-league infield within a few weeks. In his last full season in the minors in 2023, Mauricio slashed .292/.346/.506 over 116 games for Triple-A Syracuse with 23 homers and 24 steals.

The Nationals haven't decided whether Soroka (biceps) will return from the 15-day injured list this week or make another rehab start, Andrew Golden of The Washington Post reports.

Soroka believes he's ready to pitch with the big club after going 4.1 innings and throwing 78 pitches in his second rehab start with Double-A Harrisburg on Sunday. However, manager Dave Martinez said the team could have Soroka make one more rehab start in order to get his pitch count up to 90. A decision on where Soroka's next start will take place should come within the next few days. The righty is working his way back from a biceps strain.

Burleson is absent from the lineup for Monday's game in Cincinnati.

It marks four games in a row that Burleson has been out of the lineup, with three of them coming against right-handed pitchers. The Cardinals are again going with Nolan Gorman at designated hitter and in the fifth spot in the batting order for Monday's series opener.

Tong struck out 10 and allowed one hit and one walk over four scoreless innings for Double-A Binghamton on Sunday.

The 21-year-old righty is racking up Ks in the Eastern League, and his control might be taking a step forward as well. After issuing five passes in his first start of the season, Tong has posted a 25:6 K:BB over his last three starts (13.1 innings). He could rise up prospect lists quickly if he continues to dominate and develops a little more efficiency.

Reds manager Terry Francona said that Encarnacion-Strand (back) hit off a tee Monday, Charlie Goldsmith of the Dayton Daily News reports.

It's the next step in the progression for Encarnacion-Strand, who was given an epidural last week as he works his way back from low-back inflammation. The infielder has several items he still needs to check off the list before a timetable for his return becomes clearer.

Reds manager Terry Francona said Monday that it was a groin injury that forced Miley (elbow) from his rehab start Sunday at High-A Dayton, Charlie Goldsmith of the Dayton Daily News reports.

Francona added that Miley could be back on the mound this week, so it seems the setback is a minor one. Miley is on a minor-league contract with Cincinnati as he works his way back from a hybrid UCL repair on his left elbow.