MLB Player News

Lee (elbow) is not in the Giants' starting lineup against the Brewers on Monday, Justice delos Santos of The San Jose Mercury News reports.

Lee is out of the Giants' lineup for a second consecutive game while nursing a sore left elbow, so Grant McCray will once again start in right field and bat eighth. Lee has gone 9-for-30 with four RBI and three extra-base hits since the All-Star break. The team is hopeful that he'll be cleared to return to the starting lineup Tuesday, per Alex Pavlovic of NBC Sports Bay Area.

Smith is out of the lineup for Monday's game against the Mets.

The left-handed-hitting Smith will retreat to the bench while the Mets send a lefty starter (Zac Thornton) to the bump Monday, but Smith will likely be headed for a reduction in playing time against right-handed pitching, too. With Atlanta welcoming Ronald Acuna (hamstring) back from the injured list Monday, Mike Yastrzemski could end up seeing most of his playing time at designated hitter, which would leave Smith as an odd man out of the lineup. Smith has been serviceable against righties with a 103 wRC+ on the season, but he's produced an underwhelming overall batting line of .220/.316/.300 over 18 games in July.

Reds manager Terry Francona said Monday that McLain (calf) will stay with Triple-A Louisville on a rehab assignment to begin the week, Charlie Goldsmith of Fox 19 Now Cincinnati reports.

Though McLain has been on the shelf for less than three weeks due to a left calf strain, the Reds aren't looking to rush him back from his rehab assignment. Francona said he believes that picking up some more at-bats at a lower-pressure environment at Triple-A will be beneficial for McLain, who was hitting just .190/.293/.328 over 309 plate appearances on the season for Cincinnati before going on the injured list. After going 3-for-10 with two doubles through his first three games with Louisville, McLain will likely play in at least a couple more contests in the minors before the Reds consider activating him. Once he's reinstated, McLain could have an avenue to steady playing time after the Reds placed Spencer Steer (wrist) on the IL on Monday.

Polanco is not in the Mets' starting lineup against Atlanta on Monday.

Polanco has struggled at the plate in his six games since the All-Star break, going 1-for-21 with eight strikeouts and one RBI in that span. He'll be on the bench for the beginning of Monday's game while Francisco Alvarez serves as the designated hitter and bats fifth.

The Cubs selected Wantz's contract from Triple-A Iowa on Monday.

Wantz will provide the Chicago bullpen with a fresh arm capable of covering multiple frames after the Cubs needed three relievers to handle the final four innings of Sunday's 8-7 loss to the Pirates. The 30-year-old righty made one appearance in the big leagues with the Rays earlier in 2026 but has otherwise spent the entire season at the Triple-A level, where he's produced a 5.63 ERA, 1.65 WHIP and 49:26 K:BB over 48 innings.

Petersen is still dealing with soreness in his right forearm after being struck by a comebacker during his relief appearance in Sunday's 5-3 loss to the Padres, Jordan McPherson of the Miami Herald reports.

Petersen avoided any structural damage to his forearm but the resulting bruise is still presenting some discomfort for the right-hander. The Marlins are treating him as day-to-day and could look to stay away from him in the first game or two of their series with the Phillies this week.

Ruiz is out of the lineup for Monday's game against the Phillies.

Though Ruiz had been included in the lineup for three of the Marlins' previous four matchups versus right-handed pitching, he'll be on the bench Monday against Phillies righty Zack Wheeler. Jakob Marsee will draw the starting nod in center field but has produced a .406 OPS during the Marlins' ongoing 12-game losing streak and could see his playing time take a hit if manager Clayton McCullough wants to open up more opportunities for Ruiz, who has submitted an .854 OPS over the same stretch of action.

Del Castillo will start at designated hitter and bat seventh in Monday's game against the Pirates.

Del Castillo will be included in the lineup for a fourth straight matchup with a right-handed starter or primary pitcher, after going 4-for-11 with a double, a stolen base, three runs and an RBI over his prior three starts. The 26-year-old will need to produce well at the plate in order to continue receiving steady at-bats versus righties, but he'll have a path to playing time while Arizona has three key hitters (Lourdes Gurriel, Jordan Lawlar and Tommy Troy) on the shelf.

Tawa is out of the lineup for Monday's game against the Pirates.

Tawa will hit the bench for the series opener after he had been included in the lineup in each of Arizona's previous seven games. During that stretch, Tawa made starts at first base, third base and in center field while going 8-for-28 (.286 average) with two doubles, one walk, four RBI and three runs. Tawa should have a fairly clear path to an everyday role while the Diamondbacks contend with the absences of Lourdes Gurriel (adductor), Jordan Lawlar (hamstring) and Tommy Troy (shoulder).

Arenado is out of the lineup for Monday's game against the Pirates.

The Diamondbacks will send Arenado to the bench for the second time in four games, after he went 0-for-10 with three walks during the team's weekend series in Washington. Ildemaro Vargas will check in for Arenado at third base and will bat eighth.