MLB Player News

Goldschmidt is starting at first base and batting third in the lineup for Friday's game against the Brewers, John Denton of MLB.com reports.

Goldschmidt was absent from the starting lineup in the team's 7-1 loss to Milwaukee on Thursday. The veteran first baseman has not registered a hit over his last six appearances, and he is slashing .195/.287/.263 with a 31.3 percent strikeout rate this season. Goldschmidt will look to get back on track against Brewers rookie southpaw Robert Gasser.

Hoskins went 1-for-4 with a two-run home run in Thursday's win over the Cardinals.

Hoskins increased Milwaukee's lead to three runs in the bottom of the first inning with a two-run shot off Sonny Gray, giving the first baseman his eighth home run of the season. He's also homered in back-to-back games, though Hoskins is still batting just .154 (4-for-26) in May and hasn't recorded multiple hits since April 26 against the Yankees.

Goldschmidt is not in the lineup for Thursday's game in Milwaukee.

Goldschmidt had been slated to sit out Wednesday versus the Mets before that game was rained out, and he is again absent from the lineup card a day later. The 36-year-old is hitless so far in six contests this month. Alec Burleson will fill in for Goldschmidt at first base Thursday.

Montero is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Giants.

Montero will exit the starting nine for the first time since April 21, when he sat out the front end of a doubleheader with the Mariners. His move to the bench comes while he's fallen into a 3-for-23 slump at the dish over his last six games, though the Rockies haven't signaled that Montero's standing atop the depth chart at first base is in any jeopardy.

Gallo (shoulder) went 0-for-4 with a walk, a run and an RBI on Tuesday in a rehab game for Triple-A Syracuse.

Gallo went 1-for-5 with a solo home run and three walks between a pair of rehab games for Single-A Fredericksburg over the weekend and received the green light to move his assignment to a higher-level affiliate. He served as Syracuse's designated hitter Tuesday but could see action at first base and in the corner outfield for the remainder of his rehab assignment. Gallo may have to settle for a part-time role once the Nationals bring him back from the 10-day injured list.

Reds manager David Bell said that Encarnacion-Strand, who was placed on the 10-day injured list Wednesday, is expected to miss 4-to-6 weeks after tests revealed a new fracture in his right wrist, Charlie Goldsmith of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

Initial imaging after Encarnacion-Strand was hit on the hand by a pitch late last month came back clean, but subsequent tests revealed a right ulnar styloid fracture. The 24-year-old has hit a disappointing .190/.220/.293 with two home runs in 29 games for the Reds this season. Cincinnati will turn to Jeimer Candelario to replace Encarnacion-Strand at first base in Wednesday's game against the Diamondbacks, while Santiago Espinal enters the lineup at first base. The Reds signed Mike Ford to a one-year contract Wednesday and could also turn to him for starts at first base while Encarnacion-Strand is on the shelf.

The Reds placed Encarnacion-Strand on the 10-day injured list on Wednesday with a right ulnar styloid fracture.

Encarnacion-Strand was hit on the hand by a pitch late last month and missed four games with lingering soreness. While initial imaging didn't reveal a new injury, it did show that the infielder has an old fracture that could be contributing to the discomfort. Ultimately, the Reds have opted to give him some extra down time, although it's not clear how long Encarnacion-Strand might be out. Cincinnati signed Mike Ford to the 26-man active roster to provide extra depth at first base/designated hitter while Encarnacion-Strand is out, and Cincinnati could also shift Jeimer Candelario over to first base and use Santiago Espinal at third base.

Clemens went 2-for-4 with a home run, four RBI and two runs scored during Tuesday's 10-1 win over Toronto.

Clemens' two-run shot off Jose Berrios in the second inning allowed the Phillies to take a 3-0 lead, and his fourth-inning triple plated another run before he came in to score thanks to a Bryce Harper grand slam. Clemens has played in just three games in the majors this year, though he's made the most of his time in the big leagues, going 4-for-9 with two homers and seven RBI.

Harper went 3-for-3 with a grand slam, scored twice and drew a walk during Tuesday's 10-1 victory over the Blue Jays.

The 31-year-old slugger singled and later scored on a Nick Castellanos double to get Philadelphia on the board in the first inning, and his fourth-inning grand slam gave the Phillies a massive 8-0 lead. Harper has now hit a home run in each of his last three contests, recording six total hits and 10 RBI in that span.

Hoskins is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Royals.

Hoskins will get the afternoon off in the series finale in Kansas City after he had started in each of the Brewers' previous eight games. Gary Sanchez will spell Hoskins at first base.