Busch went 1-for-3 with a solo homer and a walk in Monday's 7-1 loss to the Reds.

Busch provided the only offense for the Cubs on Monday with a solo home run off Buck Farmer in the ninth inning. Busch's 13 homers are the second most by a rookie in MLB this season, trailing Colton Cowser (15). Busch continues his strong rookie campaign with a solid month of July in which he's hitting .273 with a .780 OPS.

Alonso went 2-for-5 with a homer, a double, three runs scored and two RBI in Monday's 15-2 victory over Minnesota.

The New York slugger went yard for the second straight day and continued his post-break hot streak, as he entered slashing .278/.395/.556 with six extra-base hits over 43 plate appearances since the All-Star Game. Alonso cracked a 409-foot solo homer off Simeon Woods Richardson to open a six-run fourth inning for the Mets. Overall, the first baseman is now hitting .246 with 22 homers, 61 runs scored and 57 RBI on the season.

Walker was removed from Monday's contest against the Nationals ahead of the fourth inning, Jesse Friedman of GoPHNX.com reports.

Walker struck out swinging in his only at-bat in the bottom of the second inning before he was replaced at first base by Kevin Newman. It's unclear why Walker was taken out of the game, but more information on his status will likely be provided in the near future.

Busch went 1-for-3 with a walk and a solo home run in Monday's 7-1 loss to the Reds.

Busch connected for his 13th home run of the season in the ninth inning, giving the Cubs a small bit of positivity in a lopsided loss. The 26-year-old has been a positive all year with an .804 OPS across 101 games. There were some questions in the offseason about Busch's potential role with the Cubs, but he's seized a regular job at first base with his solid play and should stick there the rest of the way.

Joe is out of the lineup for Monday's game against the Astros.

Joe had picked up starts in three of the Pirates' last four games, but his run of regular playing time will likely come to an end after Bryan Reynolds (personal) reinstated from the bereavement list Monday. The Pirates should still clear a spot in the lineup for the right-handed-hitting Joe against left-handed pitching more often than not.

Bauers will start at first base and bat third in Monday's game against Atlanta.

Bauers will pick up his third consecutive start after going 2-for-5 with a home run, a triple, a walk, two RBI and two runs between the final two contests of the Brewers' series with the Marlins over the weekend. The lefty-hitting Bauers looks set to handle a strong-side platoon role for the time being after Christian Yelich (back) was placed on the injured list Wednesday.

Tellez (back) is starting at first base and batting in the cleanup spot for Monday's series opener against the Astros.

Tellez was absent from the lineup in the Pirates' last two games after leaving Friday's contest against the Diamondbacks due to back spasms. He did pinch hit in Sunday's 6-5 win over Arizona, going 1-for-1 with a double. Since the beginning of July, Tellez has slashed .327/.359/.655 with five home runs and 14 RBI across 59 plate appearances.

The Reds acquired France and cash considerations from the Mariners on Monday in exchange for catcher Andruw Salcedo.

France had been designated for assignment by Seattle after managing a .662 OPS through 88 games. However, he's landed in about as good of a situation as possible, with hitter-friendly Great American Ball Park representing his new home park and regular at-bats seemingly available for the taking. France is under team control for 2025, but even if he finishes the 2024 campaign on a high note, he'll be a non-tender candidate this offseason.

Tellez (back) entered Sunday's game against the Diamondbacks as a pinch hitter and went 1-for-1 with a double.

Tellez was out of the lineup Sunday with a back issue, so it was a positive sign that he was able to enter the game in the ninth inning. He should still be considered day-to-day, but Tellez will have the chance to return to the lineup Monday against the Astros.

Alonso went 2-for-4 with a double and a two-run home run in Sunday's loss to Atlanta.

His eighth-inning shot off Jimmy Herget ended a combined shutout bid for the Atlanta staff, but it was the only offense the Mets could muster. Alonso is up to 21 homers on the season, but he's struggling to supply consistent production -- through 24 games in July he's slashing just .239/.300/.424 with nine RBI.