MLB Player News

Busch went 2-for-4 with a solo home run in Sunday's 4-2 win over the Dodgers.

Busch and Pete Crow-Armstrong, who went deep twice, provided most of the offense for Chicago. For Busch, it was his second long ball in as many days against his former team. The 27-year-old is off to a nice start in 2025, as he's slashing .315/.393/.593 through 17 contests. Busch will still continue to sit most games against southpaws, but he's a legitimate offensive threat against righties.

Contreras went 2-for-4 with a two-run homer, a double and two runs scored in Sunday's win over the Phillies.

Contreras opened up the scoring in the fourth with a two-run blast to left for his first home run of the year. He also matched his extra-base hit season total with two Sunday. Contreras is off to a very slow start with his bat but now has four hits and three RBI in his last two games. For the year, he's hitting .158/.213/.263 with six RBI, six runs and a 2:22 BB:K in 62 plate appearances.

Naylor went 2-for-5 with a steal, an RBI and a run scored in Sunday's 5-2 victory over the Brewers.

The Diamondbacks' slugger stole second base off reliever Grant Anderson in the seventh inning. Naylor has never been known for his speed, but thanks to a torrid start, he seems like a lock to overtake his previous career high of 10 steals with the Guardians in 2023. The 27-year-old has been enjoying his new home in Arizona, opening with a .322/.397/.475 slash line across 68 plate appearances.

Freeman is receiving a planned day off Sunday against the Cubs, Sonja Chen of MLB.com reports.

Freeman will get a breather as the Dodgers wrap up their series with Chicago. Manager Dave Roberts explained that the team didn't want the first baseman playing the entire six-game homestand without any rest, resulting in Freeman's absence from Sunday's lineup. Freeman will likely be back in action Monday for the team's series opener versus the Rockies at home.

Mervis went 1-for-2 with a three-run home run in Sunday's 11-4 win over the Nationals.

Pinch hitting for Jonah Bride in the seventh inning, Mervis took the second pitch he saw from Jorge Lopez deep to center field for a 411-foot, three-run home run. Mervis has smacked a home run in three consecutive outings and has gone 9-for-27 with five runs scored, five home runs and 11 RBI since the beginning of April.

Freeman is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Cubs, David Vassegh of AM 570 LA Sports reports.

Freeman returned from the 10-day injured list Friday, and in his first two games back in action, he went 1-for-6 with one run scored and three strikeouts. The Dodgers haven't indicated that Freeman is dealing with any setbacks with his surgically repaired right ankle, so his absence from the lineup Sunday is presumably a rest day. Enrique Hernandez will step in for Freeman at first base and will bat eighth.

Wade is not in the Giants' lineup against the Yankees on Sunday, Shayna Rubin of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.

With the Yankees sending Carlos Rodon to the mound, the lefty-hitting Wade will begin Sunday's game in the dugout while Casey Schmitt gets the start at first base and bats seventh. Wade has struggled of late, going 1-for-21 with one run scored, three walks, three RBI and nine strikeouts over his last seven outings.

Mervis is not in the Marlins' starting lineup against the Nationals on Sunday.

Mervis has smacked home runs in back-to-back outings, but he'll begin Sunday's game in the dugout with the Nationals sending southpaw MacKenzie Gore to the mound. Eric Wagaman will shift over to first base while Jonah Bride serves as the designated hitter for Sunday's series finale.

Encarnacion-Strand is out of the lineup Sunday against the Pirates, with manager Terry Francona noting that the first baseman is "banged up" due to back and hamstring issues, Charlie Goldsmith of the Dayton Daily News reports.

Encarnacion-Strand will miss out on a start for the second day in a row due to the pair of injury concerns, both of which he contended with at points during the 2023 season. However, Francona said he expects Encarnacion-Strand to be available off the bench Sunday, so the Reds don't appear to be too concerned about the 25-year-old potentially needing a stint on the shelf.

Stewart went 3-for-4 with a double, a home run and four RBI in the first game of Saturday's doubleheader for Double-A Chattanooga.

Stewart bailed out the Lookouts, who were down to their final out before the 21-year-old hit a walk-off grand slam. He's handling his introduction to Double-A pitching with aplomb, going 11-for-28 (.393) with two home runs, four doubles, six RBI, four steals and eight runs through seven games.