MLB Player News

Steele (2-4) took the loss Friday against the Diamondbacks, allowing five runs on nine hits and two walks over 4.2 innings. He struck out six.

It was a tough start to the second half for Steele, who allowed a season-high nine hits en route to his first loss since June 7. The left-hander delivered seven straight quality starts prior to the All-Star break, posting a stellar 1.65 ERA in that span (49 innings). Steele's ERA now sits at 3.07 with a 1.02 WHIP and 87:20 K:BB across 15 starts (91 innings) this season. He'll look to get back on track in his next outing, currently scheduled for next week at home against Milwaukee.

Jones (back) participated in batting practice ahead of Friday's game against the Giants, Patrick Lyons of JustBaseball.com reports.

Jones remains without a return timeline after landing on the injured list Saturday due to a lower-back strain, though his return to BP is a sign that he's trending in the right direction. While the 26-year-old remains on the shelf, Sam Hilliard and Sean Bouchard will continue to split reps in left field.

Sewald earned the save in Friday's 5-2 win over the Cubs, allowing two hits while striking out two in the ninth inning.

The Cubs got the tying run to the plate after Sewald gave up back-to-back one-out singles. However, he'd rebound to strike out Michael Busch and Seiya Suzuki, closing out the Diamondback's victory for his 14th save of the year. After blowing three straight save opportunities earlier this month, Sewald's now delivered four consecutive scoreless innings while converting his last three save chances. The 34-year-old right-hander sports a 3.22 ERA with a 0.85 WHIP and 22:4 K:BB across 22.1 innings this season.

Bryant (oblique) will begin a rehab assignment with Triple-A Albuquerque on Friday, Patrick Lyons of JustBaseball.com reports.

Bryant will play in all three games for Albuquerque over the weekend before being re-evaluated by team doctors. In his last 10 games prior to being placed on the injured list June 6 due to a left rib contusion and oblique strain, Bryant had gone 9-for-35 with one home run and four RBI, which actually brought his season slash line up to .186/.307/.279.

Nelson (7-6) earned the win Friday over the Cubs, allowing one run on three hits and two walks over 5.2 innings. He struck out nine.

It was an impressive showing from Nelson, who blanked the Cubs through the first five innings before allowing a lone run in the sixth while racking up a career-high nine strikeouts. The 26-year-old has been solid of late, holding opponents to three runs or fewer in each of his last four starts and posting a 2.22 ERA in that span (24.1 innings). Overall, his ERA sits at 4.78 this season with a 1.39 WHIP and 68:22 K:BB across 92.1 innings. Nelson's currently lined up for a road matchup with the Royals in his next outing.

Marte (knee) played catch and hit off a tee Friday, Paige Leckie of MLB.com reports.

The Mets have been taking it slowly with Marte's recovery from a right knee contusion that's sidelined him since June 22. The team will continue to ease him into action to try and avoid any setbacks for the oft-injured veteran, who hasn't played more than 120 games in a season since 2019.

Quintana won't start as scheduled Saturday versus the Marlins due to an illness and is now lined up to take the hill Tuesday versus the Yankees on the road, Mike Puma of the New York Post reports.

Manager Carlos Mendoza said Quintana is currently dealing with a fever, so he'll stay away from the team for the next few days and will take the hill for the Mets' fifth game out of the All-Star break, assuming his condition doesn't take a turn for the worse. Luis Severino will now start Saturday in Quintana's stead, followed by Christian Scott on Sunday and then David Peterson for Monday's series finale in Miami.

O'Brien (forearm) will begin a rehab assignment with Triple-A Memphis on Friday, John Denton of MLB.com reports.

O'Brien has been shelved since Opening Day due to a strained forearm but has finally been cleared for a rehab stint The 29-year-old has completed three live batting practice sessions and could rejoin the Cardinals' bullpen before the end of July.

Matz (back) will throw a bullpen session Saturday, Katie Woo of The Athletic reports.

Saturday will mark the second time Matz has thrown off a mound since he moved to the 60-day IL in late June. If he's able to get through his next session without any issues, the Cardinals may clear him to face live hitters before sending him back on a minor-league rehab assignment. The 33-year-old southpaw has been on the injured list since May 3 due to a lower-back strain, and his recovery has been slowed by a setback he suffered in June.

Gallo (hamstring) could begin a running program next week, Andrew Golden of The Washington Post reports.

Gallo resumed baseball activities earlier this month, but running will be the big test as he comes back from a strained left hamstring that has sidelined him since June 11. He will require a rehab assignment before returning and wouldn't seem to be guaranteed anything in regard to playing time upon his activation.