MLB Player News

Urshela went 0-for-3 with a walk and an RBI in Tuesday's win over the Phillies.

Signed earlier in the day following the news that Austin Riley (hand) could miss the rest of the regular season, Urshela was immediately inserted into Atlanta's starting lineup as the third baseman and batted eighth. While he didn't do much with his bat, the 32-year-old played steady defense and drew a bases-loaded walk in the eighth inning that provided an insurance run in a 3-1 victory. Urshela struggled earlier in the season with Detroit, slashing .243/.286/.333 in 325 plate appearances with five homers and 37 RBI, but Atlanta has a track record of picking veterans off the scrap heap and turning them into surprising contributors to a playoff push, with Eddie Rosario's NLCS MVP Award in 2021 being perhaps the most notable example.

Bednar struck out one without allowing a baserunner in a scoreless ninth inning Tuesday against the Rangers.

Bednar allowed at least one earned run in six consecutive outings from July 29 to Aug. 16, and he also blew two saves and took two losses in that span. Nevertheless, he has maintained the closer role and has now turned in consecutive scoreless appearances. If Bednar can remain on track, he should be a decent source of saves the rest of the season.

Cruz went 2-for-3 with a triple, an RBI, a walk and a stolen base Tuesday against the Rangers.

Cruz exited Friday's game after tweaking his ankle but has since started four consecutive games. He's also stolen a pair of bases in that span, suggesting that he is playing at or near full strength. Cruz has also hit well overall since the All-Star break, smacking four home runs while collecting 18 RBI, 15 runs scored and seven stolen bases while maintaining a .311 average.

Taylor is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Orioles.

Taylor had started in center field over Harrison Bader in both of the Mets' last two matchups with right-handed pitchers, but Bader is manning center field for the second time in the series while New York faces off against a lefty (Cole Irvin). Manager Carlos Mendoza hasn't indicated that the two outfielders have moved into a platoon, though Bader's ongoing slump might have opened up more opportunities for Taylor in the short term. Bader has gone 3-for-28 over his last 12 games heading into Wednesday.

Assad (6-3) picked up the win Tuesday, allowing one run on six hits and a walk over 5.2 innings in a 3-1 victory over the Tigers. He struck out seven.

The seven Ks were the most for the right-hander since June 17, and Assad tossed 59 of 95 pitches for strikes as he fell just short of his fifth quality start of the season. He has yet to give up more than three runs in an outing since he recovered from a forearm strain and rejoined the Cubs' rotation just before the All-Star break, delivering a 3.30 ERA over his last 30 innings despite a worrying 20:17 K:BB and 1.60 WHIP. Assad will try to keep walking that tightrope in his next start, which lines up to come on the road this weekend in Miami.

Heyward went 1-for-1 with a three-run homer in Tuesday's win over the Mariners.

Heyward was brought in as a pinch hitter in the eighth to face Andres Munoz and capitalized with a three-run laser over the short wall in right field. Heyward has been highly successful as a pinch hitter this season, going 4-for-8 with a pair of home runs. Tuesday's long ball was his first since July 21 and this marked his first multi-RBI performance since then as well. The 34-year-old is slashing .208/.289/.393 with six homers, 28 RBI, 25 runs, four steals and a 17:36 BB:K in 197 plate appearances this year.

Winker is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Orioles.

Though he'll head to the bench while southpaw Cole Irvin toes the rubber for the Orioles, the lefty-hitting Winker could be in store for fewer opportunities against right-handed pitching following Starling Marte's recent return from the injured list. Since being acquired from the Nationals at the trade deadline, Winker has produced a weak .616 OPS.

Muncy went 1-for-2 with a solo homer, two walks and two runs scored in Tuesday's win over the Mariners.

Muncy has homered in both games since returning from a stint on the injured list with a right oblique strain, and he showcased his patient eye at the plate with two walks Tuesday night. The 33-year-old is hitting .228/.331/.510 with 11 homers, 31 RBI, 27 runs and a 23:51 BB:K in 175 plate appearances.

McNeil is absent from the lineup for Wednesday's contest versus the Orioles.

The Orioles have southpaw Cole Irvin on the hill, so the left-handed-hitting McNeil will begin Wednesday's afternoon game on the bench. Jose Iglesias will start at second base and bat seventh for the Mets.

Alvarez is not in the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Orioles.

Alvarez started behind the plate for both of the first two games of the series but will begin Wednesday's finale on the bench. Luis Torrens will handle catching duties for the Mets.