MLB Player News

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

Encarnacion-Strand will head to the bench in what looks to be a routine maintenance day after he had started in each of the Reds' last eight games. Spencer Steer will get a day out of the outfield and fill in at first base for Encarnacion-Strand, who has seen his season-long batting average dip below the Mendoza Line (.196) while going 1-for-14 with five strikeouts over his last four starts.

Stephenson (hand) is out of the lineup for Sunday's game at Texas.

Manager David Bell said Stephenson's removal from Saturday's contest after being hit by a pitch on the hand was precautionary, but the backstop will still take at least one day to recover. Luke Maile is working behind the plate in the series finale versus the Rangers.

Little allowed five runs on three hits and a walk while retiring just two batters in Saturday's 17-0 loss to the Red Sox.

Chicago starter Ben Brown allowed three runs over just 3.2 innings, then gave way to Little, who struggled mightily. The lefty's ERA went from 2.16 to 7.00 in the process, and it may take Little some time to get that figure back into a more acceptable range. He's not a great fantasy target at the moment due to his middle-relief role.

Soler went 1-for-3 with a two-run home run and a walk in Saturday's 4-3 extra-inning loss to the Pirates.

Soler's 10th-inning blast got the Giants within a run, but the comeback effort fell short. He went 0-for-12 with one walk and six strikeouts over the previous three games. Soler's power is at an acceptable level (five homers, .414 slugging percentage) through 28 games, but he's batting just .222 with a .736 OPS, well under his .250 average and .853 OPS from last season.

Rogers (0-1) took the extra-inning loss Saturday versus the Pirates, allowing three runs (two earned) on two hits while striking out two over one inning.

Rogers gave up back-to-back home runs to Bryan Reynolds and Ke'Bryan Hayes in the 10th inning. Jorge Soler got two of those runs back in the bottom half of the frame, but the Giants couldn't come up with consecutive walk-off wins. Rogers hadn't given up a run over his previous six outings before Saturday. He's at a 4.32 ERA, 1.20 WHIP and 7:2 K:BB through 8.1 innings this season, and he's added two holds but remains unlikely to challenge Camilo Doval for save chances.

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

The lefty-hitting Sanchez is on the bench for the second game in a row while the Marlins face off against another left-handed starting pitcher (Patrick Corbin). With short-side platoon mate Avisail Garcia (hamstring) landing on the injured list Sunday, the newly recalled Dane Myers will replace Sanchez in right field.

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

The lefty-hitting Gordon will stay on the bench for the second game in a row while the Marlins face another southpaw (Patrick Corbin) on Sunday. Bryan De La Cruz will step in for Gordon in left field and will bat second.

Brujan will start at third base and bat eighth in Sunday's game against the Nationals.

Brujan will make his third consecutive start at third base and appears set to get an extended look at the position while Jake Burger (oblique) is on the injured list. Over 33 plate appearances this season, Brujan has hit .200 with zero home runs or stolen bases, one RBI and three runs. His fantasy appeal could remain largely limited to NL-only leagues for the duration of Burger's absence.

Cardinals manager Oliver Marmol said Carlson (shoulder) will report to Triple-A Memphis on Tuesday or Wednesday to begin a rehab assignment, John Denton of MLB.com reports.

Carlson is finally ready to test himself in an uncontrolled game setting after he completed an extensive ramp-up program as he works his way back from an AC joint sprain in his left shoulder, which he suffered late in spring training. Given that he's been on the 10-day injured list throughout the first month of the season, Carlson will presumably stick with Memphis throughout the coming week before potentially making his 2024 big-league debut the following week. Whenever he's activated, Carlson will likely unseat Mike Siani as the Cardinals' everyday center fielder, a role that Carlson should hold at least until Tommy Edman (wrist) is ready to come off the IL.

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

Though his playing time against right-handed pitching should be stable for the foreseeable future while Lane Thomas (knee) and Joey Gallo (shoulder) are on the shelf, the lefty-hitting Rosario is still expected to sit regularly versus southpaws. Rosario will hit the bench Sunday with lefty Ryan Weathers on the hill for Miami, paving the way for the righty-hitting Alex Call to draw a start in the corner outfield.