MLB Player News

Manager Carlos Mendoza said Thursday that Martinez could join the Mets as soon as next week for their series in Atlanta, Will Sammon of The Athletic reports.

Martinez has been working out at extended spring training but will be assigned to a minor-league affiliate as soon as Friday. The designated hitter won't be added to the 26-man roster when first eligible Sunday, and it's not a given either that he'll be activated for the four-game series in Atlanta that begins Monday. The Mets' decision on whether to make Martinez available in Atlanta will probably depend on how he looks and feels during his at-bats in the minors. Whenever he's ready, Martinez will take over as the Mets' everyday designated hitter, pushing DJ Stewart to a bench role.

McCullough had offseason knee surgery but should be ready for game action with High-A South Bend sometime in May, Jim Callis of MLB.com reports.

The 23-year-old righty logged a 4.25 ERA, 1.28 WHIP and 34 strikeouts in 36 innings across nine starts at High-A last season. McCullough's low-90s fastball plays up due to excellent movement, but he's still searching for a reliable secondary offering.

Butto will be called up from Triple-A Syracuse to start the second game of Thursday's doubleheader versus the Tigers, Laura Albanese of Newsday reports.

He will be added to the roster as the 27th man for the doubleheader once the matinee concludes. Butto nearly won a rotation spot with a strong spring, allowing just one earned run in 10 innings. He permitted two earned runs over five innings in his first start with Triple-A Syracuse.

Schwarber went 1-for-3 with a walk and a solo home run in Wednesday's 4-1 loss to the Reds.

The lefty slugger took Frankie Montas deep to lead off the sixth inning, but it was all the offense the Phillies could muster in a game delayed by nearly seven hours due to rain. Schwarber has a five-game hitting streak going, and he's begun the campaign batting .280 (7-for-25) with two homers, three RBI, six runs scored and a stolen base.

Wheeler (0-1) took the loss Wednesday, giving up three runs (one earned) on three hits and a walk over six innings as the Phillies fell 4-1 to the Reds. He struck out 10.

A Bryson Stott error and a hit by pitch contributed to a two-run third inning by Cincy, and Philly's offense never woke up in a game delayed by nearly seven hours due to rain. Wheeler still delivered his second straight quality start to begin the season despite the weather, and he generated 17 swinging strikes among his 93 pitches. The veteran right-hander will take a 15:1 K:BB through 12 innings into his next start, which lines up to come in St. Louis early next week.

Diaz gave up a hit and struck out two in a scoreless ninth inning Wednesday to record his first save of the season in a 4-1 win over the Phillies.

After blowing the save in his season debut March 30 against the Nationals, Diaz has quickly gotten on track and picked up a win and a save in his next two appearances while posting a 4:0 K:BB in 2.2 innings. The 27-year-old righty is entrenched as the Reds' closer after racking up 37 saves last year and delivering a 2.62 ERA, 1.09 WHIP and 11.69 K/9 over 134 innings since making his big-league debut in 2022.

Montas (2-0) recorded the win Wednesday in a 4-1 victory over the Phillies, allowing one run on five hits and three walks over 5.2 innings. He struck out five,

The right-hander couldn't quite deliver his second straight quality start to begin the season, blanking Philly for five innings before fading in the sixth -- Kyle Schwarber led off the frame with a solo shot, and Montas then loaded the bases with two outs before Justin Wilson was able to quell the rally. Montas exited after 100 pitches (63 strikes), and through his first two outings with the Reds he's posted a 9:3 K:BB in 11.2 innings. The 31-year-old lines up to make his next start at home early next week against the Brewers.

Bryant went 2-for-4 with a walk, an RBI and a run scored Wednesday against the Cubs.

Bryant entered the game hitless through 20 plate appearances -- he had reached base four times -- but broke through with an RBI single in the sixth inning Wednesday. Even with the positive performance, he has a 40 percent strikeout rate on the season. Bryant should have the chance to improve his production as the Rockies are set to begin a six-game homestand that begins on Friday.

Bader is out of the lineup for the first game of Thursday's doubleheader with the Tigers.

Bader will likely be back in the starting nine for the second game of the twin bill, but he'll cede center field to Tyrone Taylor in the first game of the day.

Martini started at designated hitter and went 1-for-4 with an RBI and a run scored in Wednesday's 4-1 win over the Phillies.

The Reds have faced right-handed starters four times thus far and the lefty-batting Martini has served as the DH in all four. He leads the team with nine RBI and has thrived with runners on base. Martini is 0-for-5 with no runners on but 5-for-10 when bases are occupied.