MLB Player News

Encarnacion-Strand went 2-for-3 with a three-run home run in Tuesday's 11-10 loss to San Francisco.

Encarnacion-Strand, who went 0-for-3 in his major-league debut Monday, homered as a pinch hitter for Jake Fraley to make his first MLB hit a special one. It gave the Reds an 8-7 lead, but they couldn't hold it. Encarnacion-Strand stayed in the game as the third baseman and singled in his next plate appearance.

Alvarez (oblique) will begin a rehab assignment with Triple-A Sugar Land on Wednesday, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports.

Alvarez was originally scheduled to begin a rehab assignment in Triple-A on Friday, but it had to be pushed back after he came down with an illness. Now that he's feeling better, he'll return to game action for the first time since landing on the injured list June 9 with a strained right oblique. There's been no word on how long Alvarez might spend on assignment, but the Astros will likely be eager to activate one of their top hitters relatively quickly.

Morel was scratched from the Cubs' lineup Tuesday against Washington due to neck tightness, Andy Martinez of Marquee Sports Network reports.

Miles Mastrobuoni will fill in at second base while Morel sits. Morel is still available off the bench, so his injury likely isn't too serious, and he should be considered day-to-day going forward.

Canha was added to the lineup for Tuesday's game against the White Sox.

Canha will cover right field and bat eighth in place of Starling Marte, who was scratched due to a migraine headache. It doesn't sound like Marte will be out long, though Canha has been seeing semi-regular playing time at other positions (left field, DH) as he continues to get on base at a decent clip.

Jimenez (groin) is available to pinch hit Tuesday against the Mets, Daryl Van Schouwen of the Chicago Sun-Times reports.

White Sox manager Pedro Grifol said Sunday that Jimenez was expected to miss up to five days due to groin soreness, but Jimenez is apparently feeling well enough to come off the bench Tuesday. Grifol added that Jimenez could be back in the lineup as the designated hitter Wednesday.

Vogelbach is not in the lineup Tuesday against the White Sox.

DJ Stewart will serve as the Mets' designated hitter and bat ninth versus the White Sox and right-hander Lucas Giolito. Vogelbach carries a disappointing .223/.330/.349 batting line through 65 games (203 plate appearances) this season.

Jimenez (groin) is not in the White Sox' lineup Tuesday against the Mets.

Jimenez suffered a left groin injury Sunday in Atlanta and is expected to miss 4-to-5 days of action. The White Sox will go with Yasmani Grandal at designated hitter and Seby Zavala at catcher Tuesday.

Buxton is absent from the lineup for Tuesday's game in Seattle, Patrick Reusse of the Minneapolis Star-Tribune reports.

Matt Wallner will be the Twins' designated hitter. Reusse categorizes it as a "mental break" for Buxton, who is 0-for-21 with 13 strikeouts over his last five games. It hasn't been a total loss in roto leagues with Buxton hitting 15 homers and stealing eight bases in 2023. However, the 29-year-old is slashing just .196/.285/.409 on the season, and his 31.3 percent strikeout rate would be his highest since 2016.

Harper will again serve as the Phillies' designated hitter Tuesday against the Brewers.

Harper's debut at first base has appeared imminent for a couple of weeks now, but the Phillies will hold off on that idea a little while longer. The 30-year-old has slashed .300/.395/.426 with four homers and six steals in 60 games this year, all out of the DH spot.

Turner started at third base and went 1-for-4 with a double and two RBI in Monday's 7-0 win over Oakland.

Turner got the call at third base after Rafael Devers was scratched due to a calf injury. It was Turner's sixth start at the hot corner. The Red Sox have a few hot hitters right now, but none have made the impact that Turner has. He's hit in 13 consecutive games while delivering runs in 11 of those contests. Turner has gone 20-for-49 with three home runs, five doubles, 17 RBI and 12 runs scored during his hit streak.