MLB Player News

Nootbaar (ribs) will play two more rehab games at Triple-A Memphis before being re-evaluated Monday, John Denton of MLB.com reports.

Nootbaar has gone 1-for-11 with an RBI and a run scored through his first three rehab games and is now set for at least two more games. Manager Oliver Marmol said the 26-year-old outfielder's return to St. Louis is more dependent on him getting enough reps at Triple-A than it is the rib injury he suffered during spring training, so there's a chance the Cardinals activate Nootbaar from the IL to make his regular-season debut as soon as Monday against Philadelphia.

Smith (1-0) collected the win Friday in a 3-2 victory over the Reds, giving up two hits and striking out one in a scoreless inning.

The right-hander entered a 1-1 tie with two outs and two on in the sixth inning and got Luke Maile to pop up, before running into trouble himself in the seventh and getting bailed out by Brooks Raley. Smith has made an appearance in four of the Mets' first seven games, posting a 4:2 K:BB over four innings without getting charged with an earned run, and he's picked up a win and a hold along the way. The 30-year-old hasn't recorded more than 14 holds in a season, but he could easily top that number in 2024 given his fairly high-leverage role for New York.

Manager Oliver Marmol said Saturday that Middleton (forearm) has yet to resume his throwing program, John Denton of MLB.com reports.

Middleton had been scheduled for mound work earlier in the week, but a setback prevented him from throwing. He will meet with the Cardinals' staff Saturday to discuss the next steps of his rehab process, but it appears the right-hander's absence will extend further into the season than originally expected.

Carlson will have his left shoulder examined by team doctors Saturday, John Denton of MLB.com reports.

Carlson has yet to resume baseball activities since injuring his shoulder during a spring training game March 25, and his checkup Saturday may help determine when he will be able to begin ramping back up.

Lindor went 0-for-2 with a walk and an RBI in Friday's win over the Reds.

After hitting second in the Mets' first six games of the season, Lindor bumped up to the leadoff spot Friday with Brandon Nimmo (hamstring) sidelined and brought home the team's first run with a sacrifice fly in the fifth inning. Lindor's had a slow start to the campaign, going 1-for-26 (.038) with a 4:6 BB:K, but it's far too early to panic over the 30-year-old shortstop as he looks to provide an encore to his 30-30 season from 2023.

Sanchez isn't in the Marlins' lineup Saturday against the Cardinals.

Left-hander Steven Matz will toe the slab for St. Louis, meaning the lefty-hitting Sanchez will begin Saturday's contest on the bench. Avisail Garcia will take his place in right field and bat seventh.

Bader went 1-for-3 with a walk, a run scored and a stolen base in Friday's win over the Reds.

Getting the start in center field and batting eighth, Bader drew a free pass in the seventh inning off Fernando Cruz with out one and promptly got himself into scoring position. It was the first steal of the season for Bader, and the 29-year-old has started six of the Mets' first seven games, batting .222 (4-for-18) with a 1:7 BB:K. He swiped a career-high 20 bases in 2023, but Bader's poor on-base skills will make it tough for him to improve significantly on that performance.

Gordon isn't in the Marlins' lineup for Saturday's game against the Cardinals.

The lefty-hitting Gordon will retreat to the bench Saturday as the Cardinals send lefty Steven Matz to the mound to start the game. Bryan De La Cruz will move to left field while Gordon sits, allowing Emmanuel Rivera to enter the lineup and bat eighth.

Bethancourt isn't in the Marlins' lineup Saturday against the Cardinals.

Bethancourt went 0-for-3 in Thursday's series opener and remains hitless through 13 plate appearances to begin the season. Nick Fortes will get the nod behind the dish instead and bat ninth.

Johnson (2-0) picked up the win Friday, walking one and striking out two in a scoreless 10th inning as Atlanta downed the Diamondbacks 6-5.

He walked a batter for the third straight appearance, but it's mostly been a strong start to the season for Johnson. The right-hander sports a 2.25 ERA and 5:3 K:BB through four innings as part of the high-leverage bridge to closer Raisel Iglesias, and Johnson has seen the most usage of any Atlanta reliever so far. After recording eight holds in 24 appearances for the team last season, he may not have to wait too much longer for his first hold of 2024.