MLB Player News

Betts is starting at shortstop and batting leadoff Monday against the Twins.

Betts was placed in the leadoff spot for the first time since June of last season on Sunday against the Brewers and went 1-for-5 with one run scored. Manager Dave Roberts is sticking with Betts atop the order, as the reeling Dodgers look for something to jumpstart the offense. With Betts in the top spot, Shohei Ohtani is again batting second. Betts has underwhelmed during his age-32 campaign, slashing .240/.310/.374 with 11 home runs, 45 RBI, 57 runs scored, six stolen bases and a 36:45 BB:K across 400 plate appearances.

Crow-Armstrong is out of the lineup for Monday's game against the Royals due to a bruised right knee, Taylor McGregor of Marquee Sports Network reports.

Manager Craig Counsell relayed that Crow-Armstrong sustained the injury during a slide in Sunday's 6-1 loss to the Red Sox. While the first-time All-Star is getting the night off in the series opener, Counsell expressed hope that Crow-Armstrong will return to the lineup Tuesday, per Ryan Herrera of MLB.com. Seiya Suzuki will pick up a start in center field Monday in place of Crow-Armstrong.

The Cardinals optioned Graceffo to Triple-A Memphis on Monday.

Michael McGreevy was recalled from Memphis in a corresponding move. Graceffo has pitched in 13 games out of the bullpen for St. Louis this season, registering a 5.11 ERA, 1.05 WHIP and 22:5 K:BB across 24.2 innings of relief. His 2.69 FIP suggests he's been a victim of bad luck. Graceffo will likely be back with the Cardinals at some point this summer.

Kemp will start at third base and bat seventh in Monday's game against the Red Sox.

After going 3-for-7 with a solo home run, a double and an additional run while starting at the hot corner in both of the final two games of the Phillies' weekend series with the Angels, Kemp will remain in the lineup Monday. The rookie looks set to see the bulk of the playing time at third base while Alec Bohm is on the shelf due to a fractured left rib.

The Cardinals recalled McGreevy from Triple-A Memphis on Monday.

McGreevy is lined up to start Monday's series opener against the Rockies. The Cardinals are expected to keep McGreevy in the rotation for an extended look this time around, as he's starting in place of Matthew Liberatore this week. The Cardinals are skipping Liberatore's turn in the rotation since he's on pace to blow past his previous career high in innings pitched. McGreevy (1-1) sports a 4.22 ERA, 1.03 WHIP and 16:3 K:BB across 21.1 innings pitched at the MLB level this season.

Crow-Armstrong is not in the lineup for Monday's game versus the Royals.

It's the first day off since June 11 for Crow-Armstrong, who went 5-for-12 with a homer and three doubles in the weekend series against the Red Sox. Seiya Suzuki is making his first career start in center field for the Cubs on Monday.

The Cubs optioned Roberts to Triple-A Iowa on Monday.

He's being replaced on the active roster by Ben Brown, who was recalled from Iowa. Roberts made one appearance for the Cubs after being called up earlier this month, allowing one run while recording two outs.

The Cubs recalled Brown from Triple-A Iowa on Monday, Patrick Mooney of The Athletic reports.

Brown is a candidate to eat up some innings in a bulk relief role Monday versus the Royals behind opening pitcher Ryan Brasier. He's posted a 6.13 ERA in 14 starts and two relief appearances with the Cubs this season, though he's racked up 91 strikeouts across his 79.1 frames.

The Nationals announced Monday that Crews (oblique) was able to complete a full assortment of baseball activities over the weekend and is drawing closer to a rehab assignment, Spencer Nusbaum of The Washington Post reports.

More specifically, Nusbaum notes that Crews was able to field groundballs, shag flyballs, play catch, hit off a tee, take part in batting practice and run the bases. Crews may need to complete a few more workouts before embarking on a rehab assignment, and he'll likely need multiple games in the minors to get his timing back at the plate while his left oblique strain has kept him on the shelf since May 21.

Mets manager Carlos Mendoza said Monday that he expects Marte (knee) to be activated from the 10-day injured list later this week, Anthony DiComo of MLB.com reports.

Marte will need a few more days to recover from a right knee bruise, but he will bypass a rehab assignment and appears likely to be back when the Mets begin a road trip this weekend. Upon his return, Marte will see some playing time in the designated hitter slot, with perhaps most of it coming against left-handed pitching.