MLB Player News

The Phillies optioned Clemens to Triple-A Lehigh Valley on Thursday.

He was up with the big club for three games while Bryce Harper was on paternity leave, but he'll now head back to Lehigh Valley as Harper rejoins the club ahead of Thursday's game in Cincinnati. Clemens went 2-for-4 with a home run in his lone start this week.

The Phillies reinstated Harper (personal) from the paternity leave list Thursday.

Harper missed the first three games of the series in Cincinnati after welcoming his third child into the world, but he's back for the series finale in Cincinnati. The two-time MVP will start at first base and bat third against the Reds.

The Rockies optioned Toglia to Triple-A Albuquerque on Wednesday.

The 25-year-old is being sent out in favor of Hunter Goodman, who was called up from Albuquerque in a corresponding move. Toglia has slashed just .106/.143/.362 with a 20:1 K:BB over 15 games with the big club this season.

Nationals manager Dave Martinez said Wednesday that Gallo will play right field while Lane Thomas (knee) is sidelined, Mark Zuckerman of MASNSports.com reports.

Washington will let Gallo get his feet wet in right field right away, as he'll occupy the position and bat fifth Wednesday against the Dodgers after having previously not made a start in the outfield all season while instead playing first base or serving as a designated hitter. Gallo has won multiple Gold Gloves for his defensive work in the outfield, so he's a sensible solution in right field. Trey Lipscomb is slated to see ample action at first base during Thomas' upcoming absence, while Joey Meneses will also be an option there.

Bauers is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Pirates.

Bauers was on the bench for Tuesday's 2-1 loss while Pittsburgh brought left-hander Bailey Falter to the hill, and the lefty-hitting first baseman will remain in a reserve role Wednesday while southpaw Josh Fleming opens the contest for the Bucs. Owen Miller will draw the start at first base in place of Bauers.

Wade is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Mets, Shayna Rubin of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.

As per usual, the lefty-hitting Wade finds himself on the bench while the Giants face off against a left-handed starting pitcher (Sean Manaea) in the series finale. Wilmer Flores will replace Wade at first base and as the Giants' No. 2 batter.

Montero went 3-for-4 with a double, a walk, an RBI and a run scored in Tuesday's 7-4 win over the Padres.

Montero tallied his first three-hit game of the season and his second multi-hit effort over a three-game span. His second-inning double was his first extra-base hit since April 12 and he also kickstarted a five-run fourth inning with a leadoff single and later walked with the bases loaded in the same frame. The 25-year-old is now slashing .242/.288/.273 with four RBI, three runs and a 5:11 BB:K in 73 plate appearances.

Cronenworth went 3-for-4 with a walk and an RBI in Tuesday's loss to the Rockies.

Tuesday was Cronenworth's second three-hit effort of the year and his first since the team's opening series in Japan. Despite a productive evening, Cronenworth has been struggling to hit lately and does not have an extra-base knock since homering April 12. Over his last eight games, the 30-year-old is slashing just .200/.351/.200 with one RBI, four runs and a 7:5 BB:K.

Encarnacion-Strand went 3-for-4 with a double, two RBI and two runs scored in Tuesday's 8-1 win over Philadelphia.

Encarnacion-Strand, in his first three-hit game of the season, produced in a couple of key moments in the contest. After the Phillies jumped to a 1-0 lead in the top of the first inning, he delivered a two-out double in the bottom half to tie the game. Two innings later, Encarnacion-Strand gave the Reds a 2-1 lead with another two-out RBI on a single. He later got on base to lead off the fifth prior to Elly De La Cruz's home run. Encarnacion-Strand's been a streaky hitter in 2024 and entered the night batting just .190, but he's managed to deliver with two outs -- he's posted a .364 average with 11 of his 16 RBI in those situations.

Walker went 2-for-4 with a walk, a home run, three RBI and an additional run scored in Tuesday's 14-1 win over St. Louis.

Walker kicked off the Diamondbacks' fun with a three-run blast in the third inning. It was the first of three Arizona homers, as later Kevin Newman (two-run shot) and Pavin Smith (grand slam) added to the rout. For Walker, it was his first home run since April 2, snapping an 18-game drought. With four homers in 25 games to start the 2024 season, Walker is behind the pace established the last two seasons when the first baseman launched 36 (2022) and 33 homers (2023); however, he had just four April home runs in each of those two previous seasons. It seems Walker's more productive months are ahead of him.