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

The left-handed-hitting Smith will take a seat against a right-handed pitcher (Lucas Giolito) for the second time in the series. Smith has produced an .801 OPS in 16 games since joining the Giants earlier this month, but he could nonetheless have to settle for a part-time role at first base against right-handed pitching with the acquisition of Rafael Devers having displaced Wilmer Flores from the designated-hitter spot.

Encarnacion-Strand is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Cardinals.

Encarnacion-Strand got off to a hot start at the plate upon returning from the injured list June 6, but he's gone just 3-for-25 with seven strikeouts over his last seven contests. Now on the bench for the fourth time in the Reds' last five games, Encarnacion-Strand could be in danger of a demotion to Triple-A Louisville during the upcoming week. The Reds announced Sunday that Jeimer Candelario (back) has returned from his rehab assignment, and Encarnacion-Strand would be a logical candidate to get optioned to clear a spot for the veteran.

Busch went 1-for-3 with a three-run home run, a walk and an additional run scored in Saturday's win over the Mariners.

Busch deposited a ball into the Wrigley Field bleachers during the third inning. The first baseman is in the midst of a breakout season, slashing .272/.367/.509 with 28 extra-base hits and 44 RBI through 71 games.

Burleson went 2-for-5 with a home run and three RBI in Saturday's victory over the Reds.

Burleson got the Cardinals on the board with a two-run homer in the first inning, then added an RBI single in the eighth. The 26-year-old extended his hitting streak to nine games, during which he's slashed .410/.415/.718 with six extra-base hits and 10 RBI. On the season, he boasts a .314/.352/.473 line with 19 extra-base hits and 30 RBI across 66 games.

Lowe went 2-for-5 with two solo home runs Saturday in a 7-3 win over the Dodgers.

Lowe homered to left field in the sixth inning and added a second shot to center field in the eighth. This was the first time on the campaign that the first baseman has gone deep multiple times, and Lowe recorded just his second multi-hit effort across his past 12 contests. He's up to 12 home runs and 47 RBI this season, though he's still slashing a modest .227/.295/.395 through 319 plate appearances.

Harper (wrist) progressed to throwing soft toss ahead of Saturday's game against the Mets, MLB.com reports.

Harper continues to gradually ramp up his baseball activity amid his recovery from right wrist inflammation, as his absence has now extended beyond two weeks. There remains no clear timetable for his return to the field, and it's unclear if the Phillies will send him on a brief minor-league rehab assignment or simply reinstate him from the injured list once the superstar first baseman is deemed ready for game action. In the meantime, Alec Bohm and Otto Kemp should continue to split the reps at the cold corner.

Burleson has made 13 straight starts for the Cardinals, including three straight against left-handed pitching.

The left-handed-hitting Burleson's first start this season against a traditional left-handed starter didn't come until May 31. However, he has started five of seven games versus lefties since that date and is slashing .381/.409/.571 against southpaws during that stretch. Burleson is batting .346/.379/.569 overall with seven homers since May 1, and he has hit third in five of the Cardinals' last six contests. A career .572 OPS against lefties suggests Burleson could be due for some regression in that area, but he should continue to play every day for the time being, especially while Ivan Herrera (hamstring) is shelved.

Smith is not in San Francisco's starting lineup against Boston on Friday, Alex Pavlovic of NBC Sports Bay Area reports.

Smith will take a seat after going 1-for-10 with one RBI and four strikeouts during the Giants' three-game home series against the Guardians earlier this week. Wilmer Flores will start at first base and bat in the cleanup spot.

Freeman isn't in the lineup for Friday's game against the Nationals, Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic reports.

An 0-for-3 performance Thursday broke up Freeman's modest four-game hitting streak, and he'll now grab a seat on the bench while Enrique Hernandez starts at first base during Friday's series opener.

Contreras isn't in the lineup for Friday's game against the Reds, Katie Woo of The Athletic reports.

Contreras will get a chance to rest Friday after going 2-for-10 with three walks, five RBI and three runs scored in St. Louis' last series against the White Sox. Alec Burleson will fill the void at first base, opening up right field for Jordan Walker.