MLB Player News

McNeil (oblique) will begin a rehab assignment with Single-A St. Lucie on Friday, Michael Mayer of MetsmerizedOnline.com reports.

McNeil has been ramping up his rehab from a right oblique strain and has been cleared to test things out in game action. Upon his return, the 33-year-old McNeil will serve as the Mets' primary second baseman.

Fortes has been diagnosed with a Grade 1 left oblique strain, Stephen Strom of Marlins Radio Network reports.

It's the least severe grade of strain, but Fortes could still be out beyond the minimum 10 days. In the meantime, Liam Hicks will operate as the Marlins' primary catcher, with Rob Brantly backing him up.

Norby (oblique) will begin a rehab assignment Saturday, Christina De Nicola of MLB.com reports.

It will be the first game action for Norby since he sustained a left oblique strain in late March. The Marlins haven't revealed how long the rehab assignment is likely to last, but Norby should be back well before the end of April. Once he's ready, he'll serve as Miami's everyday third baseman.

Call is not in the lineup for Friday's contest in Miami.

Call had started the last five games and seven of the last eight contests, but he will begin Friday's series opener on the bench. Dylan Crews will play right field and Jacob Young will patrol center field for the Nationals.

Abbott (shoulder) will be activated from the 15-day injured list and make his season debut Saturday against the Pirates, Charlie Goldsmith of the Dayton Daily News reports.

Abbott made two rehab starts with Triple-A Louisville, allowing four runs with an 8:5 K:BB over 10 innings of work. He threw 92 pitches in his second rehab outing, so the lefty should be capable of shouldering a full workload Saturday. Abbott got a late start to the season after being slow-played in spring training following last year's shoulder issues.

Wade is starting at first base and batting sixth in Friday's contest against the Yankees.

Each of Wade's first nine starts this season came from the leadoff spot, but he's been demoted -- at least temporarily -- after going hitless across his last five games. Mike Yastrzemski has been elevated to the leadoff spot for the Giants on Friday.

Yastrzemski is starting in right field and batting leadoff in Friday's game versus the Yankees.

Fresh off a walk-off home run in Wednesday's win over the Reds, Yastrzemski has been moved up to the leadoff spot after batting either sixth or eighth in his first nine starts this season. The 34-year-old is slashing .344/.462/.594 with two homers and two steals in 10 games so far in 2025. Regular leadoff man LaMonte Wade is batting sixth Friday.

Valdez is starting at second base and hitting leadoff in Friday's contest against the Reds.

Valdez becomes the sixth different leadoff hitter the Pirates have had in their first 14 games this season. The 26-year-old is also making his first start at second base for Pittsburgh, as each of his first five starts had all been at first base.

McCutchen is not in the lineup for Friday's game versus the Reds.

Bryan Reynolds (triceps) being unable to play the field continues to eat into McCutchen's playing time, as the Pirates don't appear willing to let him play the outfield every day. Adam Frazier is in right field and hitting eighth Friday.

Cruz (finger) remains out of the lineup for Friday's game against the Reds.

Cruz was hit on the finger by a pitch in Tuesday's game versus the Cardinals and will now miss a second straight start. He was available as a pinch runner or defensive substitute in the Pirates' last game and presumably will be again Friday, but it appears Cruz isn't ready to hit yet. Jack Suwinski is covering center field and batting sixth in Friday's series opener.