MLB Player News

Montero went 3-for-4 with a double and a run scored in Sunday's 6-3 loss to the Giants.

Montero has hit safely in seven of nine games in September, and three of them have been multi-hit efforts. The infielder is 11-for-28 (.393) this month with a home run, three doubles and three RBI. For the season, he's slashing .243/.289/.402 with six homers, 29 RBI, 28 runs scored and 12 doubles across 232 plate appearances. He's seeing consistent playing time between first base and designated hitter as the Rockies evaluate younger players toward the tail end of a lost season.

Candelario left Sunday's win over the Diamondbacks due to back tightness, Andy Martinez of Marquee Sports Network reports.

Candelario went 0-for-2 with a strikeout prior to being pulled with the injury in the bottom of the fifth inning. The 29-year-old is still being evaluated by the training staff, and he should be considered day-to-day until more information is available.

Encarnacion-Strand is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Cardinals, Gordon Wittenmyer of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

The 23-year-old has been a fixture at first base for the Reds over the past few weeks, but his playing time is poised to dip with Joey Votto (shoulder) and Jonathan India (foot) returning from the injured list Sunday. Encarnacion-Strand has a .721 OPS with six home runs in 187 plate appearances this season and should still see semi-regular action down the stretch, but his run as an everyday starter is likely at an end for the near future.

Votto (shoulder) was reinstated from the 10-day injured list and is starting at first base Sunday versus the Cardinals, Gordon Wittenmyer of The Cincinnati Enquirerreports.

Votto made two appearances on his minor-league rehab assignment and will rejoin Cincinnati's lineup after going 2-for-6 with a double and two RBI with Triple-A Louisville. The veteran first baseman should see plenty of playing time down the stretch, though he could receive regular off days in Cincinnati's crowded and talented infield.

Goldschmidt is out of the lineup for Sunday's game at Cincinnati.

It's likely just a maintenance day for Goldschmidt, who started the Cardinals' previous 42 games and had a .765 OPS during that span. Alec Burleson will take over at first base for Sunday's series finale versus the Reds.

Montero went 1-for-2 with an RBI and a walk Saturday against the Giants.

Montero has taken over as Colorado's primary first baseman following the demotion of Michael Toglia, and he's started seven of eight games since Sept. 1. In that span, he's collected eight hits across 24 at-bats and more importantly, has dropped his strikeout rate to 20.7 percent. Hunter Goodman could be a threat to Montero's playing time, but to this point, the Rockies have used Goodman primarily as an outfielder.

Olson went 2-for-5 with a solo home run and an additional RBI in Saturday's 8-4 loss to the Pirates.

Olson has five homers and five multi-hit efforts during his six-game hitting streak. Unfortunately, all of those homers have been of the solo variety. The first baseman is up to 48 long balls, 118 RBI and 112 runs scored this year, all career highs, and he's added a stolen base, 25 doubles, three triples and a .275/.381/.603 slash line through 141 contests.

Cooper isn't in the Padres' lineup Saturday against Houston.

Cooper is slashing just .237/.281/.405 against right-handers this season, and he'll ride the bench Saturday against righty Cristian Javier. Jurickson Profar will draw the start at first base instead and bat seventh.

Freeman went 3-for-4 with a walk, a double and two runs scored in Friday's 8-5 win over the Nationals.

His fifth-inning two-bagger off Mason Thompson set a new Dodgers record, as it gave Freeman his 53rd double of the year -- breaking a mark that had stood since 1929 when the team played in Brooklyn and was known as the Robins. Freeman continues to push for a second MVP trophy, and since the beginning of August he's slashing .360/.430/.576 with 18 doubles, four homers, four steals, 18 RBI and 25 runs in 36 games.

Steer started at second base and went 2-for-4 with a stolen base and a run scored in Friday's 9-4 loss to St. Louis.

Steer, who never stole more than eight bases in a season while in the minors, stole his 13th bag for the Reds. His stint as the primary fill-in at second base could be ending soon, as Jonathan India (foot) began a rehab assignment at Triple-A Louisville on Friday. India is expected to return Tuesday, which means manager David Bell can take advantage of Steer's versatility, moving him between third base, first base and left field.