MLB Player News

Reds manager Terry Francona said Monday that Encarnacion-Strand (back) will remain on his rehab assignment with Triple-A Louisville to begin the week, Charlie Goldsmith of the Dayton Daily News reports. "When he went down [with lower back inflammation], he wasn't swinging great," Francona said of Encarnacion-Strand. "Then you lose some time. You try to use [the rehab assignment] to your advantage."

Francona's comments suggest that Encarnacion-Strand isn't dealing with any physical setbacks since kicking off his rehab assignment May 22. Instead, the Reds want the 25-year-old to stockpile some more at-bats in the minors to get his timing back at the plate after he had struggled to begin the season before getting hurt and then being out of action for more than a month. Between stops in the rookie-level Arizona Complex League and Louisville during his rehab assignment, Encarnacion-Strand has slashed .355/.412/.742 with seven extra-base hits and a 2:8 BB:K over 34 plate appearances. The Reds could revisit adding Encarnacion-Strand back to the active roster following Thursday's off day.

The Red Sox activated Gonzalez (quad) from the 10-day injured list Monday.

Gonzalez needed only two rehab games with Triple-A Worcester in order to convince the Red Sox he was ready to go. The utility player will be thrown back into the first-base mix for Boston, likely sharing the position with Abraham Toro.

The Royals selected Caglianone's contract from Triple-A Omaha on Monday.

Caglianone's promotion is official and he will make his major-league debut Tuesday in St. Louis. The 22-year-old earned a call-up after slashing .322/.389/.593 with 15 home runs and two stolen bases over 50 games between Double-A Northwest Arkansas and Omaha. Caglianone is expected to see most of his playing time in right field for the Royals, but he can also handle first base.

Triple-A Sacramento placed Bericoto on its 7-day injured list May 9 due to an unspecified injury.

Though he's been out of action at Triple-A for more than three weeks, Bericoto should return to action with Sacramento before long. He began a rehab assignment in the rookie-level Arizona Complex League on May 22 and has gone 11-for-23 with seven extra-base hits and a stolen base through his first six games.

The Royals plan to call up Caglianone from Triple-A Omaha ahead of Tuesday's game in St. Louis, Jeff Passan of ESPN.com reports.

Caglianone will complete his rapid ascent to the big leagues after getting selected with the No. 6 overall pick in the 2024 First-Year Player Draft and beginning the 2025 campaign with Double-A Northwest Arkansas. The 22-year-old combined to slash .322/.389/.593 with 15 home runs and two stolen bases over 50 games between Northwest Arkansas and Omaha. Though he's expected to settle in at first base or designated hitter in the long term, Caglianone's initial big-league playing time may come in either corner-outfield spot, where the Royals have struggled to generate production this season. Caglianone looks to be a must-add option in nearly every redraft league due to his power potential alone.

Alonso went 1-for-4 with a three-run home run in Sunday's 5-3 win over the Rockies.

Alonso gave the Mets a 3-1 lead with a 407-foot blast in the fourth inning. The first baseman has now hit safely in eight straight games, a stretch that includes five extra-base hits and eight RBI. On the season, he's slashing .288/.384/.543 with 12 homers, 46 RBI and 32 runs scored across 258 plate appearances.

Busch went 2-for-2 with two walks, a home run and three RBI in Sunday's 7-3 win over the Reds.

Busch had a big afternoon to lead the Cubs to another victory, and he recorded his first multi-hit effort since May 18. The slugging infielder has been a steady fantasy contributor all season, as he now has eight home runs, 33 RBI and an .852 OPS. The OPS would be a new career best for Busch, who could also surpass his career highs of 21 home runs and 65 RBI, both of which he posted last year.

Smith exercised the opt-out clause in his contract with the Yankees on Sunday, Jeff Passan of ESPN.com reports.

Smith signed a minor-league deal with New York in late March, producing a .255 average with eight home runs, 28 RBI, 26 runs scored and four stolen bases over 165 at-bats in 44 games with Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre. The 29-year-old slashed .317/.389/.622 with seven long balls and 22 RBI over 82 at-bats in 22 games in May, and he'll now look to find a major-league opportunity elsewhere.

Bauers is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Phillies.

He's started just one of the Brewers' last seven games, with the 29-year-old sitting against four left-handers and two right-handers during that stretch. While the ongoing absence of Garrett Mitchell (oblique) has opened up a spot in the outfield, Bauers hasn't been able to take advantage. Expect the Brewers continue to use a rotation of Bauers, Isaac Collins and Daz Cameron in left field until Mitchell's return pushes Jackson Chourio from center field back to left.

Harper (elbow) is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Brewers.

Harper hasn't started since being hit by a pitch in the right elbow Tuesday versus Atlanta, and his absence will continue Sunday. The 32-year-old is still dealing with some bruising, though manager Rob Thomson relayed Saturday that the swelling has improved significantly over the past couple days. Harper will have Monday's team off day to aid in his recovery before the Phillies begin a three-game set in Toronto on Tuesday. For his part, Harper said that he's feeling much better and anticipates playing in the series opener versus the Blue Jays, per Matt Gelb of The Athletic.