MLB Player News

Mets manager Carlos Mendoza said Saturday that Senga (shoulder) has resumed throwing from 120 feet and should begin playing catch off a mound this week, Tim Britton of The Athletic reports.

The right-hander was diagnosed with a shoulder strain at the start of training camp, and the Mets have been very cautious with his recovery so far. Senga's still been making progress though, and beginning to throw off a mound will be a big step. He'll be eligible to come off the 60-day injured list near the end of May, and at this stage that appears to be a realistic timeline for his 2024 debut.

Martinez (back) is expected to begin swinging a bat again Monday, and he should resume his minor-league assignment later this week, Tim Britton of The Athletic reports.

The veteran designated hitter hasn't played for Single-A St. Lucie since April 6 due to back tightness, and he received an injection Tuesday to speed his recovery. Assuming he gets back into the St. Lucie lineup this week, Martinez could be in line to make his Mets debut before the end of the month.

Canario will be recalled from Triple-A Iowa prior to Monday's game in Arizona, Jon Morosi of MLB Network reports.

The Cubs have yet to make the transaction official, so it's unclear whose spot Canario will be taking on the 26-man active roster. The 23-year-old is off to a nice start with Iowa, slashing .269/.377/.481 with two home runs in 13 contests. Canario will likely operate in a reserve outfielder role during his time with the Cubs.

Bender gave up a run on three hits while striking out one in the seventh inning Sunday, recording his fourth hold of the season in a loss to Atlanta.

The right-hander's 5.14 ERA and 1.57 WHIP through seven innings aren't pretty, but Bender leads the Marlins in holds and his 11:2 K:BB indicates he's fully recovered from the Tommy John surgery that cost him all of 2023. Tanner Scott blew the save Sunday and seems to be hanging onto his closer role by a thread, so Bender and Andrew Nardi could begin to see ninth-inning work in his place.

Nardi struck out the side in a perfect eighth inning Sunday to record his third hold of the season in a loss to Atlanta.

The southpaw needed 12 pitches (10 strikes) to knife through the bottom of Atlanta's order, only to see Tanner Scott blow the save in the ninth. Nardi's had a rough start to the season, giving up multiple runs in four of his nine appearances, but his 10:3 K:BB through 7.1 innings is something to build on. Should Scott be removed from the closer role, Nardi is still one of the prime candidates to see save chances in his place despite his horrific 12.27 ERA.

Gordon went 1-for-4 with a two-run home run in Sunday's loss to Atlanta.

The 28-year-old took Dylan Lee deep in the sixth inning, giving Miami a 7-5 lead that would slip away late. Gordon's shown some surprising pop to begin the season in a part-time role, and while he's batting just .222 (6-for-27), four of his hits have gone for extra bases including three long balls. His career high is only nine homers, set over 138 games with the Twins in 2022.

Scott (0-3) took the loss Sunday and blew his first save of the season, giving up three runs on two hits and a walk in the ninth inning against Atlanta. He struck out one.

Called upon to protect a 7-6 lead, Scott instead served up a massive three-run homer to center field by Marcell Ozuna. It's been a brutal start to the season for the left-handed closer, and he's saddled with a 4.70 ERA, 1.83 WHIP and ghastly 7:10 K:BB through 7.2 innings. Scott's job security might be hanging by a thread, and potentially the only thing keeping him in the ninth right now for the Marlins is that no one else in the bullpen has pitched particularly well either.

Duvall went 1-for-3 with a two-run home run in Sunday's win over the Marlins.

The veteran slugger took Jesus Luzardo deep in the fourth inning. Duvall has mainly been limited to a short-side platoon role to begin the season, splitting starts in left field with Jarred Kelenic, and through seven games he's batting .250 (6-for-24) with a double, a homer, three runs and six RBI.

Minter (2-1) struck out the side in a perfect eighth inning Sunday to record the win over the Marlins.

It was very nearly an immaculate inning, but Minter fired a fastball just off the plate on his first pitch to Jesus Sanchez before getting him to chase three straight cutters. The southpaw then got rewarded for his performance when Marcell Ozuna launched a game-winning homer in the top of the ninth. Minter is curiously still looking for his first hold of 2024, but he's otherwise been outstanding in a high-leverage role, posting a 2.57 ERA, 0.43 WHIP and 11:0 K:BB through seven innings.

Lopez will be recalled from Triple-A Jacksonville prior to Monday's game against the Giants, Christina De Nicola of MLB.com reports.

Lopez was claimed off waivers earlier this month and has gone 15-for-26 with two home runs at Jacksonville. The utility player should be used in a reserve role.