MLB Player News

Contreras is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Cubs.

Contreras will get a breather after he played in both ends of Saturday's doubleheader, starting at designated hitter in the first game and at catcher in the second game while going a combined 3-for-6 with a home run, three walks, three runs and two RBI. Pedro Pages will step in behind the plate for the resting Contreras.

Siani (elbow) is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Cubs.

Siani will get a chance to rest his bruised left elbow in the final game before the All-Star break after he injured it in the first contest of Saturday's doubleheader with Chicago. Lars Nootbaar will cover center field in Siani's stead Sunday.

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

Amaya has moved back into a timeshare with Tomas Nido behind the plate, but it'll be the latter's turn to play Sunday after the former started at catcher in the second game of a doubleheader Saturday. In the Cubs' 5-4 loss in the second game of the twin bill, Amaya went 1-for-2 with a home run, two walks and two RBI.

Mastrobuoni will start at third base and bat seventh in Sunday's game against the Cardinals.

Since heading to the bench for Wednesday's 4-0 win over the Orioles, the lefty-hitting Mastrobuoni has re-emerged as a regular part of the Cubs' lineup against right-handed pitching. Mastrobuoni will close the first half of the season with his fifth consecutive start, with his uptick in playing time coinciding with Cody Bellinger's (finger) placement on the injured list Thursday. Mastrobuoni has gone 4-for-13 with an RBI and two runs over his prior four starts.

Perkins is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Nationals.

After making his fifth consecutive start in Thursday's 1-0 loss to the Pirates, Perkins has now found himself on the bench twice in the Brewers' three-game series with the Nationals. The switch-hitting Perkins should still be a regular part of the lineup against left-handed pitching, but he looks set to serve as Milwaukee's fourth outfielder more often than not when the team faces righties.

Monasterio is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Nationals.

Monasterio had seen a surge in playing time in late June, but his starts will likely be more sparse moving forward after Joey Ortiz was reinstated from the injured list Friday. With Ortiz taking back everyday duties at third base, Monasterio will fill a utility role moving forward and will likely draw most of his starts against left-handed pitching.

Hoskins is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Nationals.

He'll get a breather for the series finale after starting at first base in the first two games against Washington while going 1-for-8 with a double, two RBI and a run. Jake Bauers will spell Hoskins at first base Sunday.

The Nationals scratched Garcia from the lineup for Sunday's game in Milwaukee for an unspecified reason.

Expect the Nationals to provide an explanation behind Garcia's removal from the starting nine later Sunday. Ildemaro Vargas will replace Garcia at second base and will bat seventh.

The Nationals recalled Willingham from Triple-A Rochester on Sunday.

Willingham joins the Washington bullpen as a replacement for right-hander Hunter Harvey, who was traded to the Royals on Saturday. The 25-year-old Willingham has pitched exclusively at Rochester this season, logging a 4.54 ERA and 1.43 WHIP over 39.2 innings. He'll likely be ticketed for low-leverage relief work while he's up with the Nationals.

Ramirez is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Brewers.

The right-handed-hitting Ramirez drew the start at designated hitter in Saturday's 6-5 win while the Brewers brought lefty Dallas Keuchel to the hill, but Ramirez will hit the bench for Sunday's series finale. Ramirez, who owns a .576 OPS since being promoted from Triple-A Rochester on June 24, should continue to serve as a short-side platoon player for the Nationals.