MLB Player News
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Christian Walker 1B | HOU
Diamondbacks' Christian Walker: Back in lineup Monday
Walker (elbow) is starting at first base and batting cleanup Monday against the Rockies in his return to the lineup.
Walker was lifted from Saturday's game following a hit by pitch in the right elbow, but he homered off the bench Sunday and is back in the lineup Monday. The slugger will bring an even 30 home runs and 90 RBI into action Monday.
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LaMonte Wade 1B | CHW
Giants' LaMonte Wade: On bench versus southpaw
Wade is not in the lineup for Monday's contest versus the Cubs.
The Cubs have left-hander and National League Cy Young contender Justin Steele on the mound, so Wade will begin this one on the bench. Wilmer Flores is occupying first base.
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Christian Encarnacion-Strand 1B | CIN
Reds' Christian Encarnacion-Strand: Taking seat Monday
Encarnacion-Strand is absent from the lineup for Monday's game against the Mariners.
It's Encarnacion-Strand's first day off since July 28. Nick Martini is starting at first base and Jake Fraley is in the designated hitter spot for the Reds.
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Pete Alonso 1B | BAL
Mets' Pete Alonso: Swats pair of homers
Alonso went 3-for-4 with a two-run home run, a solo home run and an additional RBI in Sunday's 6-3 win over the Mariners.
After going 11 consecutive games without a home run, Alonso delivered two Sunday, one off of George Kirby and the other off Trent Thornton. The first baseman is now up to 41 long balls on the season, good for the third most in baseball. He'll look to carry his hot bat into the Mets two-game series with the Nationals starting on Tuesday.
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Hunter Goodman RF | COL
Rockies' Hunter Goodman: Wraps up strong homestand
Goodman went 2-for-3 with two doubles, a walk and three RBI on Sunday against the Blue Jays.
Goodman has drawn six starts in seven games since being called up, and he drew his first look in the outfield Sunday. He's given the Rockies no reason to take him out of the lineup, as he's gone 8-for-21 with three doubles, a triple and six RBI in his first taste of the majors. He'll head away from hitter-friendly Coors Field for the first time in a matchup Monday against Arizona, but Goodman should continue to see regular playing time to close out the season.
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Spencer Steer 1B | CIN
Reds' Spencer Steer: Ends homer drought
Steer started at second base and went 1-for-4 with a walk, a home run and an additional run scored in Sunday's 15-7 loss to the Cubs.
Steer belted the second of back-to-back home runs in the first inning to give the Reds an early lead. The homer snapped a 21-game drought for Steer, who has 19 for the season. With news that Jonathan India (foot) will begin a rehab assignment this week, Steer should serve as the primary second baseman for another handful of games. He's appeared in 10 games at the keystone already, which may be enough to qualify as a middle infielder depending on a fantasy league's rules.
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Christian Walker 1B | HOU
Diamondbacks' Christian Walker: Homers off bench
Walker (elbow) went 1-for-2 with a solo home run in Sunday's 8-5 loss to the Orioles.
Walker entered the game as a pinch hitter for Jace Peterson in the sixth inning, and he went yard in the ninth in his second at-bat after staying in at first base. Given he was able to play three innings in the field, it's unlikely Walker's elbow contusion will keep him out of the starting lineup much longer, especially since X-rays came back negative Saturday night. The first baseman's blast was his 30th of the season and his second in three September games. He's added a .271/.348/.529 slash line with 90 RBI, 71 runs scored and eight stolen bases through 133 games.
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Matt Olson 1B | ATL
Braves' Matt Olson: Accounts for lone run in loss
Olson went 2-for-4 with a solo home run in Sunday's 3-1 loss to the Dodgers.
Olson went 0-for-13 with one walk and four strikeouts over the first three games of this weekend's series versus the Dodgers. He got off the schneid Sunday with a seventh-inning homer, but that was the extent of Atlanta's scoring. The first baseman is up to 44 homers -- 10 more than he had last year -- while adding 113 RBI, 104 runs scored, a stolen base, 24 doubles, three triples and a .266/.373/.581 slash line over 136 games.
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Joey Votto 1B | TOR
Reds' Joey Votto: Easing into hitting
Reds manager David Bell said Sunday that Votto (shoulder) is "going through his strengthening [program]" and "adding more hitting," but the Reds haven't yet pinpointed a target date for his return from the 10-day injured list, Charlie Goldsmith of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.
Votto was first eligible to return from the IL on Sunday, but since he hasn't yet resumed full baseball activities, any potential return looks as though it'll be at least another week away. Christian Encarnacion-Strand should continue to serve as the Reds' primary first baseman while Votto remains on the shelf with a strained left shoulder.
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Matthew Batten 3B | ATL
Padres' Matthew Batten: Garners fourth straight start
Batten will start at third base and bat eighth in Sunday's game against the Giants.
Batten appears to have moved into the near-everyday lineup spot that was created when Jake Cronenworth (wrist) landed on the injured list Aug. 26. In addition to making one start at Cronenworth's usual post at second base, Batten has now picked up a pair of starts at third base and one at first base over the Padres' last four games. Manny Machado has been seeing more time at designated hitter of late as a result of Batten's addition to the Friars' infield mix.