MLB Player News

Minter gave up a hit and struck out two in a scoreless ninth inning Tuesday during a loss to the Reds.

Seeing his first big-league action in over a year due to a lat injury that required surgery last May, Minter fired 10 of 16 pitches for strikes. The southpaw's velocity was down -- he topped out at 93.6 mph with his fastball after averaging 94.5 mph the prior two seasons -- but that could come around as he shakes off the last of his rust. Minter should quickly slot back into a high-leverage role in the Mets' bullpen, sharing setup duties with Luke Weaver and Brooks Raley.

High-A Wisconsin reinstated Pena (illness) from its 7-day injured list Wednesday.

Pena will rejoin the Wisconsin lineup for the first time in more than a month, serving as the club's designated hitter and No. 2 batter in Wednesday's game against Peoria, per Adam McCalvy of MLB.com. The 19-year-old infielder had been out of action after collapsing in the Wisconsin dugout after getting overheated in an April 22 game, but he was given the green light to rejoin the affiliate after going 4-for-9 with two extra-base hits, two walks and two stolen bases during a three-game rehab assignment in the rookie-level Arizona Complex League.

Blue Jays manager John Schneider said Wednesday that Barger (elbow) will resume throwing "probably [Thursday]," Mitch Bannon of The Athletic reports.

Barger's recovery from right elbow inflammation has come along more slowly than expected, but he's poised to take a big step forward Thursday. He's already missed more than two weeks and could require a rehab assignment before returning to the Blue Jays' active roster.

Manaea worked three innings of relief in Tuesday's loss to the Reds, allowing one run on three hits and two walks while striking out six.

The veteran lefty tossed 68 pitches (46 strikes) and helped steady the ship after a rocky start by David Peterson. Manaea has put together a semi-respectable May, posting a 3.75 ERA, 1.58 WHIP and 15:5 K:BB over five appearances and 12 innings. With the Mets running out of rotation options, he could be the next man up if Peterson gets removed from his current role, per Anthony DiComo of MLB.com.

Fuentes will likely remain in a long-relief role this season unless Atlanta endures further injuries in the rotation, but his long-term future is still as a starting pitcher, Jesus Cano of The Athletic reports. "Developing starters in the bullpen used to be the blueprint in this game," manager Walt Weiss said Monday. "I think you have to identify the guys that can benefit, and (Fuentes) is one of those guys."

The right-hander doesn't turn 21 years old for another few weeks, but Fuentes has been impressive in the big-league bullpen this season, posting a 2.66 ERA, 1.08 WHIP and 24:8 K:BB in 20.1 innings over 13 appearances (one start) with three wins and two holds. He had been almost exclusively a starter in the minors, but he's adjusted well to his new role. "It's thanks to the veterans in the bullpen and rotation," Fuentes said Monday via a translator. "They've taught me so much about preparation and sequencing, but at the same time, they've helped me mature as a person."

Valenzuela is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Marlins.

Valenzuela will be rested for Wednesday's matinee affair after he went 2-for-4 with a run scored while catching all nine innings of the Blue Jays' 8-1 win Tuesday night. Tyler Heineman will replace Valenzuela behind the dish in the series finale.

Guerrero (elbow) will start at first base and bat second in Wednesday's game versus the Marlins.

Guerrero missed the last two contests with a right elbow contusion, but he's improved enough to give it a go in Wednesday's series finale. The slugger has had a rough May, as he will enter action Wednesday having slashed only .187/.312/.227 this month.

Springer is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Marlins.

Toronto is concluding its three-game series against Miami with an afternoon game following a night game, so Springer will exit the starting nine in what looks to be a planned rest day. Jesus Sanchez will get a turn as Toronto's designated hitter in place of Springer, who had started each of the last nine games. After struggling mightily at the plate initially upon his return from the injured list April 30, Springer has rounded into form over those last nine starts, slashing .289/.357/.579 with three home runs, two stolen bases, six RBI and five runs.

Rengifo will start at third base and bat seventh in Wednesday's game against the Cardinals.

Rengifo will stick in the starting nine for the third game in a row, after he reached base four times and stole a base during the first two contests of the series. The 29-year-old is still holding down a .531 OPS and a 52 wRC+ on the season, so despite his recent usage, he's far from locked in as an everyday player on the left side of the Milwaukee infield.

Ortiz is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Cardinals.

Ortiz will be on the bench for a second straight game while the Brewers once again go with Luis Rengifo and David Hamilton as their starters on the left side of the infield. Neither Ortiz (57 wRC+), Rengifo (52 wRC+) nor Hamilton (73 wRC+) have been productive at the plate this season, so manager Pat Murphy could continue to mix and match at third base and shortstop rather than committing to any of the three in an everyday role.