MLB Player News
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Nate Lowe 1B | BOS
Nationals' Nathaniel Lowe: Idle against southpaw
Lowe is out of the lineup for Monday's game against the Rockies.
Even though he owns a lowly .209/.250/.302 slash line against left-handed pitching this season, the lefty-hitting Lowe typically starts in those matchups, but he'll get Monday off while southpaw Carson Palmquist toes the rubber for Colorado. Andres Chaparro will step in for Lowe at first base and will bat cleanup.
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Orlando Arcia 3B | COL
Rockies' Orlando Arcia: Back on bench Monday
Arcia is out of the lineup for Monday's game against the Nationals.
Arcia had started in four of the Rockies' past five games at three different positions, but he'll hit the bench Monday and may have to settle for more of a part-time role moving forward. With the Rockies recalling Michael Toglia from Triple-A Albuquerque on Monday and likely to reinstall him as their everyday first baseman, Arcia's main pathways to playing time could come at shortstop and designated hitter moving forward.
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Juan Yepez 1B | WAS
Nationals' Juan Yepez: Pushed off 40-man roster
The Nationals designated Yepez for assignment Monday.
Yepez will be moved off the Nationals' 40-man roster to clear a spot for infielder Brady House, who was promoted from Triple-A Rochester on Monday. After failing to win a spot on Washington's Opening Day roster coming out of spring training, Yepez has spent the entire season with Rochester and has hit .199/.273/.301 with three home runs in 172 plate appearances. Given his struggles at Triple-A and limited defensive flexibility, the 27-year-old Yepez is likely to clear waivers.
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Keston Hiura 1B | COL
Rockies' Keston Hiura: Booted from 40-man roster
The Rockies designated Hiura for assignment Monday.
Hiura's playing time had been scarce lately, so it's not a surprise he'll be pushed off the roster to make room for the return of Michael Toglia, who was recalled from Triple-A Albuquerque. The veteran infielder had a .611 OPS in eight games for the Rockies and will now go through the waivers process.
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Michael Toglia 1B | COL
Rockies' Michael Toglia: Returns to big leagues
The Rockies recalled Toglia from Triple-A Albuquerque on Monday.
Toglia was sent down in late May after slashing only .194/.266/.349 with a 39.1 percent strikeout rate in his first 54 games. He cut his strikeout rate to a more respectable 29.4 percent at Albuquerque while collecting a .921 OPS and three home runs in 11 contests. Making contact remains an issue for Toglia, but he should play every day at first base, and his power upside makes him worth picking back up in fantasy leagues for managers in need of corner infield or outfield help.
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Nolan Schanuel 1B | LAA
Angels' Nolan Schanuel: Continues hot stretch with homer
Schanuel went 2-for-4 with a solo home run in a loss to Baltimore on Sunday.
Schanuel gave the Angels an early lead with a 416-foot solo shot to center field in the first inning. The long ball snapped a 23-game stretch without a homer for the lefty batter. Despite the power drought, Schanuel has been swinging the bat well of late, collecting multiple hits in five of his past 11 games and batting .341 with eight RBI and two steals over that stretch.
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Bryce Harper DH | PHI
Phillies' Bryce Harper: Fielding, but not yet hitting
Harper (wrist) fielded ground balls at first base Friday, but the Phillies aren't certain when he'll be ready to swing a bat or resume throwing, MLB.com reports.
Harper is set to accompany the Phillies on their four-game set in Miami to begin the week, but he doesn't appear on track to be activated at any point during the series. The 32-year-old won't be cleared for throwing or swinging until his right wrist is completely pain-free, though the Phillies relayed Sunday that the range of motion in his wrist is "almost" back to normal. Otto Kemp will continue to serve as the Phillies' primary first baseman for the duration of Harper's absence.
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Casey Schmitt SS | SF
Giants' Casey Schmitt: Exits early Sunday
Schmitt exited Sunday's contest against the Dodgers in the third inning after fouling a ball off his foot earlier in the game, Alex Pavlovic of NBC Sports Bay Area reports.
Schmitt fouled a ball off his foot in the top of the second inning, ultimately toughing it out for another frame before leaving the contest in the bottom of the third. The 26-year-old was already dealing with a sore foot from a previous foul ball earlier in the week, so he may have aggravated it Sunday. Tyler Fitzgerald replaced him at third base, batting sixth against Los Angeles, and Schmitt can be considered day-to-day ahead of Monday's off day prior to Tuesday's series opener at home against the Guardians.
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Michael Busch 3B | CHC
Cubs' Michael Busch: Doubles, scores in win
Busch went 2-for-4 with a double and a run scored in Sunday's 3-2, 10-inning win over the Pirates.
Busch continued his steady, impressive season, as he's now batting .295 this month and .265 for the year. The infielder also has a solid .861 OPS, and he's been a mainstay near the middle of Chicago's lineup. Busch remains vulnerable against left-handed pitching, but he has plenty of fantasy value as a dangerous run producer against righties.
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Enrique Hernandez SS | LAD
Dodgers' Enrique Hernandez: Drawing start against lefty
Hernandez will start in left field and bat seventh in Sunday's game against the Giants.
The Dodgers are stocking up on some extra right-handed bats to counter Giants southpaw Kyle Harrison, so Hernandez will get the call in left field to fill in for the left-handed-hitting Michael Conforto. Hernandez will be making his first start since June 5, and the light playing time may in part explain why he's gone just 2-for-20 with 10 strikeouts so far this month.