Busch is starting at first base and batting fourth in Monday's game against the Athletics.

After getting a day off Sunday against a southpaw, Busch slots back in as the Cubs' cleanup hitter. The 27-year-old is off to a mediocre start, as he's gone 4-for-21 with no extra-base hits or RBI through six contests, though he should see ample opportunities against righties to begin delivering some counting stats soon.

Freeman is absent from Monday's lineup against Atlanta due to a sore right ankle, Jack Harris of the Los Angeles Times reports.

Freeman had a "mishap" while showering Saturday night according to manager Dave Roberts, resulting in an apparent aggravation of his formerly sprained right ankle, which hasn't completely healed yet. The first baseman is dealing with some swelling, so Los Angeles opted to rest him Monday. Freeman can be considered day-to-day for the time being, while Enrique Hernandez will handle first base in the series opener with Atlanta.

Freeman is absent from the lineup for Monday's game against Atlanta, Kirsten Watson of Spectrum SportsNet LA reports.

It appears to be a routine day off for Freeman, who has homered in each of his last two contests. Enrique Hernandez will get the start at first base versus right-hander Grant Holmes.

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

With southpaw David Peterson on the bump for the Mets, Marlins manager Clayton McCullough will run out a starting nine consisting of seven right-handed or switch hitters. Mervis will be joined on the bench by fellow left-handed hitters Griffin Conine and Kyle Stowers.

Burleson is out of the lineup for Monday's game against the Angels.

The Cardinals are facing a left-handed starting pitcher (Tyler Anderson) for the first time this season, so the lefty-hitting Burleson will retreat to the bench after going 2-for-11 with a double, a walk, two runs and two RBI during the team's recent three-game series versus the Twins. Luken Baker will enter the St. Louis lineup Monday as the club's designated hitter.

Naylor went 2-for-2 with three walks, a double, an RBI, two runs scored and a stolen base in Sunday's 10-6 win over the Cubs.

Naylor delivered the game-winning knock with an eighth-inning double as part of an eight-run rally. The Diamondbacks haven't missed Christian Walker's production at first base yet; Naylor has hit in all four games thus far, going 6-for-15 with two doubles, three RBI, three runs scored and a stolen base.

Lowe went 3-for-4 with a two-run home run, a double and an additional run scored in Sunday's 5-1 win over the Phillies.

Lowe extended the Nationals' lead to five in the sixth inning with a 421-foot blast to dead center off Aaron Nola. The 29-year-old delivered a stellar opening series, racking up six hits, two homers and five RBI against one of the league's top pitching staffs.

Triple-A Syracuse placed Young on its 7-day injured list Thursday due to an unspecified issue.

Young wasn't known to be dealing with an injury when the Mets optioned him to minor-league camp March 9, but the 29-year-old first baseman looks like he'll have to wait a bit to make his Syracuse debut while he tends to an undisclosed issue. After being granted his release from the Cardinals organization in the middle of the 2024 season, Young finished out the campaign in the Korea Baseball Organization with the Doosan Bears, producing a 1.080 OPS over 169 plate appearances.

Busch is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Diamondbacks.

The lefty-hitting Busch will get his first game off of the season while the Diamondbacks send a southpaw (Eduardo Rodriguez) to the hill for a day game after a night game. Justin Turner will fill in for Busch at first base.

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

The lefty-hitting Smith will take a seat for the second game in a row while the Cubs deploy another left-handed starter (Matthew Boyd). Ketel Marte will get a day out of the infield and will replace Smith as the Diamondbacks' designated hitter.