MLB Player News

Encarnacion-Strand (back) served as the designated hitter and went 1-for-3 with a walk and a run scored for Triple-A Louisville on Sunday.

Encarnacion-Strand's rehab assignment shifted from the Arizona Complex League to Louisville, and this was his third appearance overall. He played first base in both games while in the ACL. The Bats were off Monday, and Encarnacion-Strand is expected to play Tuesday against Toledo. He's up to 11 plate appearances on the assignment, and the organization may want to see him push that to 20 or so after having missed nearly six weeks.

Naylor went 1-for-4 with a two-run home run in Monday's 5-0 win over the Pirates.

Naylor hit safely for the fifth game in a row, and this was his third straight contest with an extra-base hit. The first baseman went deep in the fifth inning for the final scoring play of the game. Naylor is slashing .287/.348/.450 with six homers, 33 RBI, 27 runs scored, eight stolen bases, 13 doubles and a triple over 53 contests this season, featuring in a near-everyday role.

Arraez is not in the Padres' starting lineup against the Marlins on Monday.

Arraez -- who has gone 0-for-12 over his last three games -- will get his first rest day since being activated from the 10-day injured list April 29. Jake Cronenworth will shift over to first while Jose Iglesias gets the start at the keystone.

Contreras (back) is in the lineup for Monday's game against Orioles, starting at first base and batting cleanup.

A bout of back spasms kept Contreras out of the starting lineup for all three games over the weekend, but he reported improvement Sunday and is evidently feeling well to play in the series opener in Baltimore against right-hander Charlie Morton. The 33-year-old Contreras has six homers this year but has not produced to his usual levels so far, posting a .729 OPS through 49 games, matching his career low.

Alonso went 1-for-4 with a two-run homer in Sunday's 3-1 win versus the Dodgers.

The New York first baseman snapped a 16-game homerless streak with a 406-foot long ball off Los Angeles starter Landon Knack in the opening frame. During that 16-game span, Alonso produced a putrid .175/.217/.222 slash line with three runs scored and five RBI across 69 plate appearances. Through 233 total plate appearances, the 30-year-old is slashing .291/.391/.536 with 10 homers, 30 runs scored and 40 RBI.

Contreras (back) may return to the Cardinals' lineup Monday versus the Orioles, John Denton of MLB.com reports.

Contreras was once again sidelined for Sunday's 4-3 win over the Diamondbacks, missing his third straight game with back spasms. Manager Oli Marmol said following the contest that the catcher is doing "better" and that he hopes Contreras will start Monday's series opener in Baltimore. Considering Contreras was able to move around the field and take batting practice Sunday, he appears to be on track for a return to the lineup in the near future.

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.

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.

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.

Contreras (back) is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Diamondbacks.

Manager Oliver Marmol previously indicated that Contreras was expected to play Sunday, but the 33-year-old will instead sit for a third straight game due to back spasms. Alec Burleson will receive another start at first base for the Cardinals in Contreras' absence. According to John Denton of MLB.com, Contreras seemed to be moving around on the field prior to Sunday's game and was able to take some swings in the batting page, so the Cardinals are still seemingly viewing him as day-to-day heading into Monday's series opener in Baltimore.