MLB Player News

Adams went 1-for-4 with a two-run home run in Monday's loss to the Pirates.

Getting his first start of the season while Keibert Ruiz slotted in as the DH, Adams tied the game at 3-3 in the seventh inning by launching a Roansy Contreras fastball over the fence in left-center field. The 27-year-old posted a useful .273/.331/.476 slash line over 158 plate appearances in 2023 with four homers and 21 RBI, and while his playing time will be limited again behind Ruiz, Adams has a bit more upside than a typical end-game catcher in a NL-only format.

Dunn is starting at third base and batting seventh in Tuesday's contest against the Twins.

Dunn didn't play Opening Day versus a southpaw, but the left-handed hitter has now been in the lineup for each of the last three games against righties (two at third base, one at designated hitter). The 26-year-old looks like he might be a tick ahead of Joey Ortiz is the third base pecking order, at least versus right-handers.

Ortiz is out of the lineup for Tuesday's game against the Twins.

Ortiz received one start each at second base and third base during the season-opening series versus the Mets, but he finds himself on the bench for the first game against the Twins. Oliver Dunn appears to have the early leg up for playing time as he makes his third straight start, two of which have come at the hot corner.

Bauers is starting at first base and batting fifth in Tuesday's game versus the Twins.

Bauers has now handled first base in two of the last three contests while Rhys Hoskins serves as the designated hitter. Meanwhile, Gary Sanchez -- who many thought would garner regular starts at DH -- is on the bench for the third straight game against a right-hander. Bauers is 1-for-7 with a double in the early going this season.

Sanchez is absent from the lineup for Tuesday's game versus the Twins.

Sanchez started at designated hitter against a left-hander on Opening Day, but he's now been on the bench for each of the next three games versus righties. It's not a good sign for fantasy managers who rostered him as a second catcher. Rhys Hoskins is at DH on Tuesday, with Jake Bauers handling first base.

Tonkin (0-1) took the loss Monday as the Mets were downed 5-0 in 10 innings by the Tigers, getting charged with five unearned runs on only two hits in an inning of relief. He didn't walk or strike out a batter.

After nine scoreless innings, the 10th was a disaster for the Mets, as a hit-by-pitch on Mark Canha and a Joey Wendle fielding error contributed to the meltdown. Tonkin has yet to give up an earned run in three innings to begin the season while posting a 2:1 K:BB, but his lower-leverage role limits his fantasy appeal even in NL-only formats.

Alvarez went 1-for-4 with a double in Monday's loss to the Tigers.

The 22-year-old has started all four games to begin the season, three behind the plate and one at DH, and he's banged out an extra-base hit in three straight, going 6-for-11 with two doubles, a homer, two RBI and three runs. Alvarez has been one of the few bright spots in the early going for the 0-4 Mets, and after slugging 25 home runs as a rookie over 123 games in 2023, he's looking to add more consistent production to his profile and boost his .209/.284/.437 slash line.

Lucchesi can't be added to the 26-man roster until April 12 without an associated injured list move, and he likely isn't an option to replace Tylor Megill (shoulder) in the rotation when the Mets next need a fifth starter April 9, Will Sammon of The Athletic reports.

The Mets are caught in a bind when it comes to their pitching staff. With Yohan Ramirez facing a two-game suspension, the team elected to add Reed Garrett to the roster for bullpen depth when Megill landed on the IL, which blocks Lucchesi or Jose Butto from being promoted to plug the immediate hole in the rotation. That gives prospects Christian Scott and Mike Vasil, who aren't yet on the 40-man roster, a leg up to take Megill's spot. The Mets are also said to have interest in signing Julio Teheran. Lucchesi could be added late in the month, however -- New York plays 13 games in 13 days starting Friday and will likely need a sixth starter to get through that stretch.

Butto can't be added to the 26-man roster until April 12 without an associated injured list move, and he likely isn't an option to replace Tylor Megill (shoulder) in the rotation when the Mets next need a fifth starter April 9, Will Sammon of The Athletic reports.

The Mets are caught in a bind when it comes to their pitching staff. With Yohan Ramirez facing a two-game suspension, the team elected to add Reed Garrett to the roster for bullpen depth when Megill landed on the IL, which blocks Butto or Joey Lucchesi from being promoted to plug the immediate hole in the rotation. That gives prospects Christian Scott and Mike Vasil, who aren't yet on the 40-man roster, a leg up to take Megill's spot. The Mets are also said to have interest in signing Julio Teheran. Butto could be added late in the month, however -- New York plays 13 games in 13 days starting Friday and will likely need a sixth starter to get through that stretch.

Bender was charged with two runs on two hits in two-thirds of an innings during Monday's loss to the Angels. He struck out one without walking a batter.

The right-hander's final line was a little unlucky, as the second run charged to him scored on a Burch Smith balk after Bender had left the game. Bender threw only 19.1 big-league innings the prior two years, largely due to Tommy John surgery in August 2022, but he's had a solid start to his 2024 campaign and has posted a 5:1 K:BB through 2.2 innings, with Monday's runs being the first on his ledger. Tanner Scott's control has nearly completely deserted him to begin the season, so Bender might get a chance to reclaim the closer role he briefly held early in 2022.