MLB Player News

Naylor is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Angels.

Naylor started the previous three games but will receive Sunday off after going 3-for-10 with a home run, three walks, five RBI and a stolen base. David Fry will handle first base in the series finale versus the Halos.

Schanuel (shoulder) is not in the lineup for Sunday's game against the Guardians, Erica Weston of Bally Sports West reports.

It's the second straight absence for Schanuel, who exited Friday's game with shoulder tightness. Mike Moustakas will receive another look at first base while Eduardo Escobar starts at third.

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.

Mountcastle is out of the lineup Sunday against the Red Sox.

Ryan O'Hearn will play first base and bat cleanup versus the Red Sox and right-hander Brayan Bello. Mountcastle went 0-for-11 with four strikeouts across the first two games of the Orioles' three-game weekend series in Boston.

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.

Pratto is not in the lineup Sunday against the Blue Jays.

Pratto is being eased back into action after returning Friday from a several-week absence to heal a left groin strain. Nick Loftin will start at first base and bat seventh for the Royals on Sunday at Toronto.

Vaughn is absent from the lineup Sunday versus the Tigers.

Gavin Sheets will start at first base and bat seventh as Eloy Jimenez fills the DH role and hits cleanup. Vaughn went 0-for-4 with a strikeout in Chicago's loss to Detroit on Saturday.

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.

Naylor went 1-for-4 with a solo home run in Saturday's 6-2 loss to the Angels.

Naylor's homer Saturday was his first extra-base hit in six contests since he returned from an oblique injury. He's still been productive with six RBI in that span while reclaiming a place in the heart of the Guardians' order. For the season, the first baseman is slashing .304/.347/.496 with 16 homers, 85 RBI, 42 runs scored and seven stolen bases over 102 games.