MLB Player News

Taylor will start in right field and bat sixth in Monday's game against the Cubs, Tim Healey of Newsday reports.

Taylor will draw a third consecutive start Monday, but he'll be relegated to a fourth- or fifth-outfielder role once Starling Marte (personal) returns from the bereavement list, perhaps as soon as Tuesday. The 30-year-old Taylor has done well with his part-time role in the Mets outfield so far this season, as he enters play Monday with a .294 average, two home runs and two stolen bases over 63 plate appearances.

Luzardo (elbow) will play catch Monday, Christina De Nicola of MLB.com reports.

The Marlins haven't provided word regarding the findings of the test results on Luzardo's left elbow from over the weekend, but the fact that he's already been cleared to throw just three days after landing on the 10-day injured list certainly seems like a good sign. Luzardo is eligible to return from the IL on May 10, but it's still too early in his recovery to know whether he might make it back by that date.

Nido will start at catcher and bat ninth Monday against the Cubs, Tim Healey of Newsday reports.

Nido is behind the plate for the fourth time in five games and appears to be the Mets' preferred option at catcher over Omar Narvaez while Francisco Alvarez (thumb) is on the shelf. Though he's well regarded for his framing and ability to manage the Mets' pitching staff, Nido is a career .213 hitter and offers little power or speed, making him uninteresting for fantasy purposes outside of NL-only leagues.

Narvaez is absent from the lineup for Monday's contest versus the Cubs, Tim Healey of Newsday reports.

Narvaez started three of the first four games at catcher after Francisco Alvarez (thumb) got hurt and was placed on the injured list, but it's now been Tomas Nido behind the plate for four of the last five contests. The 32-year-old Narvaez is slashing just .204/.271/.284 as a Met since the beginning of last season.

Baty is out of the lineup for Monday's game versus the Cubs, Tim Healey of Newsday reports.

The Cubs have right-hander Jameson Taillon on the mound, but the Mets are rewarding the right-handed-hitting Mark Vientos with a start at third base after he hit a walk-off home run in Sunday's 11-inning win over the Cardinals. Baty is just 3-for-25 at the plate over his last nine games.

The Rockies are expected to place Jones (back) on the 10-day injured list Tuesday, Luke Zahlmann of The Denver Gazette reports.

Zahlmann notes that outfield prospect Jordan Beck is on track to receive a call-up from Triple-A Albuquerque, and given that he suffered a setback with his lingering back injury in Sunday's 8-2 loss to the Astros, Jones is an obvious candidate to come off the 26-man active roster in a corresponding move. Jones has been removed from games twice within the past week due to back stiffness, so it makes sense for the Rockies to get out in front of the issue and put him on the shelf for at least the next week and a half so he can rest up and recover. After a breakout 20-20 campaign with the Rockies in 2023, Jones has struggled mightily over the first month of the 2024 season, slashing just .170/.243/.277 while contributing one home run and two stolen bases over 103 plate appearances.

Brown is scheduled to start Thursday's game versus the Mets at Citi Field.

After making two consecutive appearances out of the bullpen, Brown moved back into the rotation over the weekend following Kyle Hendricks (back) move to the 15-day injured list. Brown ended up taking a loss in his start Saturday versus the Red Sox, striking out four over 3.2 innings while allowing three earned runs on seven hits and zero walks. Despite the lackluster outing, Brown will get at least one more turn through the rotation while the Cubs wait for both Hendricks and Jordan Wicks (forearm) to make their returns from the IL.

Martinez is slated to start Tuesday's game against the Padres at Petco Park.

He'll make a second straight turn through the rotation as a replacement for Frankie Montas (forearm), who was forced to the injured list April 22. In his return to a starting role last Thursday following a brief stint in the bullpen, Martinez was roughed up by the Phillies for five earned runs on 11 hits over six innings. Martinez should fare better Tuesday at Petco Park, where he turned in a 2.60 ERA over 62.1 innings in 2023 as a member of the Padres.

Vargas went 2-for-5 with a double, a run scored and a stolen base in Sunday's win over the Marlins.

With one out in the sixth inning, Vargas cracked a double off Bruch Smith, advanced to third on a single, then raced home as part of a double steal with Trey Lipscomb. Vargas got the start at second base Sunday with lefty Ryan Weathers on the mound for Miami, and a short-side platoon role at the keystone might be all that's available for the 32-year-old utility player right now with Lipscomb, Nick Senzel and Luis Garcia all producing at the plate. Vargas has been making an impact of his own when he gets the chance though, slashing .304/.396/.413 through 53 plate appearances with two steals, four RBI and five runs.

Lipscomb went 3-for-4 with three runs scored and a stolen base in Sunday's win over the Marlins.

Getting the start at third base and batting sixth, Lipscomb played a big role as the Nationals made a stunning comeback from an early 7-0 deficit, eventually winning 12-9. The rookie has been getting consistent playing time since returning to the majors April 24, and he's responded with three straight multi-hit performances to boost his slash line on the season to .292/.356/.354 with one homer, five steals, four RBI and 13 runs in 73 plate appearances. Lipscomb has started all three of those games at third base, while Nick Senzel handles DH duties and Jesse Winker moves to left field. Expect the Nats to continue finding room for Lipscomb in the lineup as long as he's swinging a hot bat.