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  • Michael Busch 3B | CHC

    Cubs' Michael Busch: Goes deep from leadoff spot

    Busch went 1-for-5 with a solo home run in Sunday's 4-1 win over the Yankees.

    Busch batted leadoff for the first time all season, and he made the decision look good right away by belting his 19th home run of the year to start off the game. Ian Happ has been Chicago's leadoff man for most of the season, but the team has experimented with both Nico Hoerner and now Busch the past few days. It will be interesting to see how Chicago structures its lineup coming out of the All-Star break. A move up to No. 1 for Busch on a more permanent basis could allow him to score more runs but would likely decrease his RBI output.

  • Giants' Dominic Smith: Taking seat against righty

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

    Though he'll head to the bench Sunday while the right-handed Yoshinobu Yamamoto takes the hill for the Dodgers, the left-handed-hitting Smith appears to be the Giants' preferred option at first base over Wilmer Flores, who re-enters the lineup for the series finale. Smith had started in each of the Giants' previous five matchups with righties, while Flores was held out of the lineup for all of those games. The two are likely to continue forming a loose platoon at the position until designated hitter Rafael Devers is deemed ready to make his debut as a first baseman.

  • Andrew Vaughn 1B | MIL

    Brewers' Andrew Vaughn: Sitting Sunday

    Vaughn is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Nationals.

    Since being called up from Triple-A Nashville on Monday, Vaughn has gotten off to a red-hot start to his time with the Brewers, recording at least one hit in each of his first five games while producing a 1.500 OPS and driving in 10 runs. The Brewers haven't yet committed to Vaughn as a full-time player, however, as Jake Bauers will replace him in the lineup Sunday while Milwaukee looks to keep both players involved at first base in the absence of Rhys Hoskins (thumb).

  • Eric Wagaman 1B | MIN

    Marlins' Eric Wagaman: Resting Sunday

    Wagaman is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Orioles.

    Wagaman will hit the bench after he had started at first base each of the previous four games while going 1-for-13 with two walks. Liam Hicks will cover first base in Wagaman's stead.

  • Bryce Harper DH | PHI

    Phillies' Bryce Harper: Records steal Saturday

    Harper went 1-for-3 with a double, two walks and a stolen base in Saturday's 5-4 loss to the Padres.

    Harper has gone 7-for-20 (.350) with four walks and five extra-base hits over the first five games of the Phillies' road trip out west. The first baseman also logged his first steal since May 21 versus the Rockies, though he missed time due to wrist inflammation in the gap between steals. Harper is now at a .260/.372/.448 slash line for the year while adding 10 homers, nine thefts, 35 RBI, 36 runs scored and 17 doubles across 67 contests.

  • Andrew Vaughn 1B | MIL

    Brewers' Andrew Vaughn: Drives in four in win

    Vaughn went 2-for-4 with two doubles and four RBI in Saturday's 6-5 win over the Nationals.

    Vaughn has hit safely in all five of his games with Milwaukee, going 6-for-14 (.429) with four extra-base hits and 10 RBI. The first baseman delivered a pair of two-run doubles Saturday, with the second being a game-tying hit during the Brewers' ninth-inning comeback. Vaughn is slashing .206/.239/.362 with seven homers, 29 RBI, 10 doubles, 12 runs scored and no stolen bases over 209 plate appearances overall between the White Sox and Brewers this season, though he's taking full advantage of his opportunity to play while Rhys Hoskins (thumb) is on the mend.

  • Sal Stewart 1B | CIN

    Reds' Sal Stewart: Moving to Triple-A

    The Reds are promoting Stewart to Triple-A Louisville, Charlie Goldsmith of Fox 19 Now Cincinnati reports.

    Stewart will move one step closer to the majors after shining in Double-A ball, posting a .306/.377.473 slash line with 10 homers, 44 RBI, 51 runs and 13 stolen bases over 80 games. The 21-year-old also continued to show an excellent eye at the plate with a 15.5 percent strikeout rate. If Stewart continues to hit well with Louisville, he could get his first call-up to the majors later this season.

  • Tony Blanco 1B | PIT

    Pirates' Tony Blanco: Beginning rehab assignment

    Blanco (leg) began a rehab assignment with the Florida Complex League Pirates on Saturday, Anthony Murphy of DKPittsburghSports.com reports.

    Blanco has been sidelined all season with a leg injury, but he should be nearing a return to Single-A Bradenton. He has excellent power potential but will need to display the ability to make more consistent contact to eventually make an impact in the majors.

  • Reds' Christian Encarnacion-Strand: Demoted to minors

    The Reds optioned Encarnacion-Strand to Triple-A Louisville on Saturday.

    Encarnacion-Strand has seen his playing time dwindle over the past several days, and Jake Fraley's (shoulder) return from the IL will now leave the former without a spot on the active roster. The 25-year-old Encarnacion-Strand has slashed .208/.234/.377 across 137 plate appearances this season.

  • Michael Busch 3B | CHC

    Cubs' Michael Busch: Getting rest Saturday

    Busch isn't in the lineup for Saturday's game against the Yankees.

    Busch went 0-for-2 with two strikeouts and a walk in Friday's loss, putting an end to what had been a six-game hitting streak. He'll get a chance to refresh Saturday while Justin Turner starts at first base, batting eighth.

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