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Michael Busch 1B | CHC
Cubs' Michael Busch: Sitting against southpaw
Busch is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Reds.
Busch will sit for the third time in five games, with all of his absences coming against left-handed pitching. The Cubs appear to be viewing Busch as a pure platoon player, as he's logged just 25 plate appearances against lefties all season and is slashing just .143/.280/.190 in those matchups. Justin Turner will replace Busch at first base.
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Jake Bauers 1B | MIL
Brewers' Jake Bauers: Playing time trending up
Bauers is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Pirates.
Though he'll be on the bench Sunday while the Pirates send southpaw Bailey Falter to the hill, Bauers seems to be the Brewers' preferred option in left field against right-handed pitching over the switch-hitting Isaac Collins. Bauers had started three of the last four matchups with righties, though he went just 1-for-11 with two walks and a stolen base during that stretch.
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Spencer Steer 1B | CIN
Reds' Spencer Steer: Taking seat Sunday
Steer is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Cubs.
Steer is in the midst of a 12-game hit streak, during which he's batting .357 (15-for-42) with five doubles and a homer, but he'll sit Sunday after starting the previous five contests. Connor Joe will take over at first base and bat eighth versus Chicago righty Ben Brown.
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Tyler Stephenson C | CIN
Reds' Tyler Stephenson: Receiving Sunday off
Stephenson is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Cubs.
Stephenson started the previous six games but will take a seat Sunday after going 3-for-20 with two doubles, an RBI, three runs and 10 strikeouts during that stretch. Jose Trevino will step in behind the plate to catch for Nick Lodolo in the series finale.
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Reese McGuire C | CHW
Cubs' Reese McGuire: Called up as Amaya replacement
The Cubs selected McGuire's contract from Triple-A Iowa, and he'll start behind the plate against the Reds on Sunday.
McGuire signed a minor-league deal with the Cubs in January and has spent the entire season at Iowa, slashing .282/.366/.465 with three home runs and two stolen bases in 21 games. He'll be joining the Cubs as a replacement for Miguel Amaya (oblique), who was placed on the 10-day injured list in a corresponding move. Carson Kelly will likely see the bulk of the playing time behind the dish for Chicago in Amaya's absence, though McGuire could be in store for a start or two per week.
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Miguel Amaya C | CHC
Cubs' Miguel Amaya: Goes on IL
The Cubs placed Amaya (oblique) on the 10-day injured list Sunday.
Amaya suffered a left oblique strain during Saturday's 6-4 loss to the Reds. He'll be eligible to rejoin the big club June 4, but given the nature of the injury, he will most likely be out beyond the minimum 10 days. The Cubs called up Reese McGuire from Triple-A Iowa to provide another option behind the plate, but Carson Kelly is likely to see the bulk of the starts at catcher while Amaya is on the shelf.
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Alex Call LF | LAD
Nationals' Alex Call: Playing time trending up
Call will start in left field and bat fifth in Sunday's game against the Giants, Bobby Blanco of MASNSports.com reports.
Call will pick up his fourth start in five games, with his outlook for playing time having improved with both Dylan Crews (oblique) and Jacob Young (shoulder) on the injured list. The Nationals called up two of their top outfield prospects in Robert Hassell and Daylen Lile to replace them, but Call should occupy a regular spot in the lineup versus left-handed pitching while still being in the mix against righties, too. The 30-year-old has held his own in matchups with same-handed pitching this season, slashing .254/.393/.373 (122 wRC+) in his 86 plate appearances versus righties.
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Jose Tena DH | WAS
Nationals' Jose Tena: Sitting against another lefty
Tena is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Giants, Bobby Blanco of MASNSports.com reports.
Tena will take a seat for the second day in a row while the Giants send another left-handed starting pitcher to the bump in Robbie Ray. Amed Rosario will get the nod at third base Sunday, and he and Tena will continue to work in a platoon, potentially until Paul DeJong (orbital) returns from the injured list.
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Luis Garcia 1B | NYY
Nationals' Luis Garcia: Idle against southpaw
Garcia is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Giants, Bobby Blanco of MASNSports.com reports.
The Nationals included Garcia in the lineup Saturday against southpaw Kyle Harrison, but the second baseman will take a seat Sunday against lefty Robbie Ray. Nasim Nunez will get a start at the keystone in Garcia's stead.
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Josh Bell DH | MIN
Nationals' Josh Bell: Sitting amid struggles
Bell is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Giants, Bobby Blanco of MASNSports.com reports.
The switch-hitting Bell has produced an abysmal .065/.216/.129 slash line over 37 plate appearances against lefties this season, and the Nationals seem content to treat him as a platoon player for the time being. He'll remain on the bench for the second day in a row as the Nationals face off against another Giants lefty in Robbie Ray.