MLB Player News

Alvarez will start at third base and bat seventh in Monday's game against the Giants.

He'll pick up his sixth consecutive start at the hot corner after going 4-for-18 with a double, a walk and two runs since being called up from Triple-A Gwinnett on July 12. Though his production has been underwhelming thus far, Alvarez nonetheless appears on track to retain a regular spot in the Atlanta infield while Austin Riley (abdomen) is on the injured list.

Freeman (wrist) is starting at first base and batting fourth against the Twins on Monday.

Freeman exited in the sixth inning of Sunday's loss to the Brewers after he was hit by a pitch. He's avoided a serious injury and won't need to miss any additional action. Freeman is slashing .292/.365/.471 with 10 home runs, 49 RBI, 47 runs scored, one stolen base and a 35:84 BB:K across 367 trips to the plate this season. He also leads the league with 26 doubles.

Marquez will undergo an MRI on his right shoulder Monday, Thomas Harding of MLB.com reports.

Marquez left Sunday's start against the Twins after yielding three runs on four hits and four walks across three innings of work. He struck out two and also surrendered his 13th home run of the season. Marquez was lifted after 58 pitches, admitting he couldn't fully extend at the end of his pitches, citing shoulder tightness. There's a chance the Rockies will skip Marquez's next scheduled start. His name has been thrown around in trade rumors ahead of next week's trade deadline.

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.