MLB Player News

Espinal is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Cardinals.

After starting at third base in three of the past four games, Espinal appeared to have taken back primary duties from the struggling Christian Encarnacion-Strand, but both players will be left out of the lineup Sunday. Gavin Lux will step in at the hot corner, opening up the designated hitter spot for Tyler Stephenson, who gets a day off from catching.

Encarnacion-Strand is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Cardinals.

Encarnacion-Strand got off to a hot start at the plate upon returning from the injured list June 6, but he's gone just 3-for-25 with seven strikeouts over his last seven contests. Now on the bench for the fourth time in the Reds' last five games, Encarnacion-Strand could be in danger of a demotion to Triple-A Louisville during the upcoming week. The Reds announced Sunday that Jeimer Candelario (back) has returned from his rehab assignment, and Encarnacion-Strand would be a logical candidate to get optioned to clear a spot for the veteran.

Norby is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against Atlanta.

After going 4-for-19 with a home run, four walks, one stolen base, two RBI and an additional run while starting six straight games, Norby will get a breather. Javier Sanoja will fill in for Norby at third base.

Verdugo will start in left field and bat seventh in Sunday's game against the Marlins.

He appears to have taken back primary starting duties in left field from Eli White, as Verdugo gets a fifth straight start against a right-handed pitcher (Sandy Alcantara). Though his playing time has been trending up of late, Verdugo will move into a fourth-outfielder role beginning July 2, when Jurickson Profar (suspension) is eligible to return from the restricted list.

Manager Torey Lovullo said Carroll (hand), who is out of the lineup for Sunday's game at Colorado, will undergo an MRI in Chicago on Monday, Steve Gilbert of MLB.com reports.

The outfielder was apparently available to pinch hit Saturday while his bruised left hand continues to show improvement, but the Diamondbacks will exercise caution and send him for additional imaging Monday. Carroll is sitting for a fourth straight game Sunday and should be considered day-to-day heading into the series opener against the White Sox.

White is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Marlins.

After a brief run as Atlanta's primary left fielder, White appears to have slipped back into a short-side platoon role. He'll be on the bench for a fifth straight matchup versus a right-handed pitcher, with Alex Verdugo having started in left field in each of those contests. Both Verdugo and White are expected to see their opportunities in the outfield dwindle once Jurickson Profar (suspension) is cleared to return July 2.

The Mets recalled Senger from Triple-A Syracuse on Sunday.

The 28-year-old should serve as the backup to Luis Torrens with Francisco Alvarez being optioned to Syracuse. Senger has appeared in 13 big-league games this season and has a .179/.207/.214 slash line in 29 plate appearances.

Torrens is expected to take over as the Mets' No. 1 catcher after Francisco Alvarez was optioned to Triple-A Syracuse on Sunday. He'll be behind the plate and bat sixth for Sunday's series finale in Philadelphia.

Torrens has served as New York's backup catcher since Alvarez was cleared for his season debut in late April, but the latter has been demoted due to his offensive struggles. Torrens has delivered a .232/.309/.344 slash line and strong defense, but he likely won't have much fantasy appeal outside of two-catcher formats.

The Mets optioned Alvarez to Triple-A Syracuse on Sunday.

Alvarez went 2-for-5 with a solo home run and an additional run scored in Saturday's 11-4 win over Philadelphia, but the Mets will still send him to the minors because he's struggled to a .236/.319/.333 slash line and 27.5 percent strikeout rate through 35 contests this season. The 23-year-old started to revamp his swing mechanics over the winter, but his spring training was interrupted by a fractured hamate bone in his left hand, which sidelined him for the first month of the season. The Mets are likely sending Alvarez down to continue working on his swing, and he should return to the big club once he straightens out his plate approach. Hayden Senger was called up from Triple-A in a corresponding move to serve as New York's backup catcher, while Luis Torrens is poised to take over the No. 1 job.

Frazier is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Rangers.

After picking up starts in the corner outfield in three straight contests while going 3-for-9 with a stolen base, an RBI and a run, Frazier will head to the bench for a breather against righty Jack Leiter. Despite being out of the lineup Sunday, Frazier should continue to occupy a strong-side platoon role in left field, with either Alexander Canario or Tommy Pham slotting in against southpaws.