MLB Player News

Walker went 2-for-5 with a two-run home run and an additional RBI in Thursday's 10-5 win over the Pirates.

That's now seven RBI in Walker's past three outings, which comes on the heels of his eight-game stretch with no RBI. The 23-year-old former top prospect is finally realizing his potential as a five-category fantasy producer during his fourth year in the major leagues. Through 116 at-bats, Walker is hitting .284 with nine homers, four doubles, 23 RBI and five stolen bases.

Burleson went 3-for-5 with three RBI and a run scored in Thursday's 10-5 win over the Pirates.

The 27-year-old slugger has now racked up eight RBI in his last three games, also tallying multiple hits in three of his past four outings. Burleson is off to a strong start at the dish, cementing himself as St. Louis' primary No. 3 hitter. Through 119 at-bats, he's hitting .277 with four home runs, eight doubles, 25 RBI and 15 walks.

Sal Frelick went 1-for-5 with a solo home run in Thursday's 13-1 win over the Diamondbacks.

Frelick added to Milwaukee's offensive outburst with a 402-foot solo shot off Brandon Pfaadt in the seventh inning, long after the game was already in hand. The homer was his third of the season and gives him two long balls over his last three games. Despite the recent power, Frelick's overall production remains modest, as he's now slashing .211/.311/.333 with three homers, nine RBI and 15 runs scored across 105 plate appearances.

Marsh is not in the lineup for the second game of Thursday's doubleheader versus the Giants, Lochlahn March of The Philadelphia Inquirer reports.

After going 1-for-4 with a double and three strikeouts in the first tilt, Marsh will begin the second game of the twin bill on the bench. Kyle Schwarber is getting a rare start in left field, and Bryce Harper will be the Phillies' designated hitter in the nightcap.

Melendez went 2-for-2 with a three-run home run in Thursday's 5-4 loss to the Nationals.

Melendez launched his second homer of the season Thursday, and he's fared well at the dish overall since being called up from Triple-A Syracuse. Over his first 29 at-bats for the Mets, the 27-year-old outfielder is hitting .345 with five extra-base hits, six RBI and three walks. New York is short on available outfield options, as Juan Soto (forearm) is limited and Luis Robert (back) is on the injured list, so Melendez should play most days versus righties in the meantime.

Harris could need a trip to the 10-day injured list if he doesn't experience improvement with his tight left quadriceps, Mark Bowman of MLB.com reports.

Harris had to miss a game last week after his quad tightened up on him, and it appears the leg issue was the reason for his absence from Thursday's lineup versus the Tigers, as well. Atlanta hopes to be able to use Harris as its designated hitter during its nine-game road trip that begins Friday, but the club might opt to IL him instead if he's not feeling better. If Harris has to miss time, Eli White would be in line for regular reps in center field.

Bleday will start in left field and bat seventh in Thursday's game against the Rockies.

The Reds will keep Bleday in the lineup for a third consecutive matchup versus a right-hander (Michael Lorenzen), after Bleday went 2-for-5 with a solo home run and a walk between his first two starts since being called up from Triple-A Louisville. Bleday looks like he could get a trial as a strong-side platoon player in the corner outfield, with Will Benson (.668 OPS in 46 plate appearances) and Rece Hinds (.402 OPS in 34 plate appearances) having both underwhelmed in their opportunities for the Reds thus far.

Moniak is out of the lineup for Thursday's game against the Reds, Thomas Harding of MLB.com reports.

The Rockies kept Moniak in the lineup for Wednesday's 13-2 win while southpaw Brandon Williamson started for the Reds, but the left-handed-hitting outfielder will exit the starting nine Thursday while Cincinnati sends another lefty (Andrew Abbott) to the bump. Colorado will run out a starting outfield of Jordan Beck, Brenton Doyle and Troy Johnston from left to right in the series finale.

Nootbaar (heels) is close to participating in extended spring training games, the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports.

Nootbaar has been rehabbing at the Cardinals' spring training complex as he works his way back from offseason surgery on both heels. He will knock off some rust in extended spring training before eventually being assigned to a full-season affiliate. Nootbaar is eligible to return from the 60-day injured list May 24, and the Cardinals are tentatively lining him up to be back at that time.

Mets manager Carlos Mendoza said Thursday that Soto (forearm) could return to playing the outfield during this weekend's series versus the Angels, Jorge Castillo of ESPN.com reports.

Soto has been limited to designated-hitter duty while battling left forearm tightness, but he's progressed to the point that a return to playing defense is imminent. A return to left field for Soto will allow for more flexibility in the Mets' DH slot and give the club more outfield options while Luis Robert (back) is on the shelf.