Kurtz (oblique) is out of the lineup for Monday's game against the Cardinals.

An MRI on his oblique came back clean Saturday, but Kurtz will miss a third straight game while he deals with lingering discomfort. Tyler Soderstrom will cover first base Monday in Kurtz's absence.

The Astros designated Davidson for assignment Monday.

Davidson will give up his spot on the 40-man roster to right-hander Luis Garcia (elbow), who was activated from the 60-day injured list ahead of his scheduled start Monday versus the Angels. Since being claimed off waivers from the Athletics in July and getting sent to Triple-A Sugar Land, Davidson is hitting .207 with a 34.4 percent strikeout rate in 22 games.

Reds manager Terry Francona said that Steer is not in Monday's lineup versus the Blue Jays in part due to a nagging leg injury that's bothered the player for two months, Charlie Goldsmith of Fox 19 Now Cincinnati reports.

The injury doesn't sound like anything that will keep Steer out more than a day or two, but the call-up of top prospect Sal Stewart -- who is making his major-league debut Monday at first base -- allows Steer to get off his feet for a day. Consider Steer day-to-day.

Johnston is out of the lineup for Monday's game against the Nationals.

The Nationals are sending lefty Andrew Alvarez to the hill for the series opener, so Johnston will head to the bench along with another lefty-hitting lineup regular in Liam Hicks. Johnston closed August with a .293/.328/.414 slash line, one home run, one stolen base, seven RBI and five runs over 23 games.

Steer is absent from the lineup for Monday's game versus the Blue Jays.

Steer will yield first base to Sal Stewart, who was called up from Triple-A Louisville to make his major-league debut. Stewart could bounce around to a few infield positions as well as designated hitter in order to get his bat in the lineup, but Steer should still man first base most days for the Reds. Steer had started each of the last 10 contests before sitting out Monday.

The Reds selected Stewart's contract from Triple-A Louisville on Monday. He will start at first base and bat sixth in the Reds' series opener versus the Blue Jays.

Stewart has been a consistent producer throughout his minor-league career, and he started getting to more over-the-fence power in his age-21 season. He slashed .309/.383/.524 with 20 home runs, 17 steals and a 15.6 percent strikeout rate in 118 games across Double-A Chattanooga and Triple-A. Stewart is capable of playing second, third and first base and should get regular work down the stretch. He's more of an average runner than a plus runner, so his speed may not translate in September, but Stewart's hitting ability, role and home park make him a worthwhile roster addition in fantasy.

Lowe went 2-for-4 with a run scored in Sunday's 5-2 win over the Pirates.

Lowe returned to the team after being on paternity leave and had two hits, his third multi-hit game in 10 games since joining the Red Sox. He'll resume his role as the strong side of a platoon at first base along with Romy Gonzalez.

Tellez started at first base and went 0-for-5 in Sunday's 9-6 win over the Athletics.

Tellez has handled regular reps at first base against right-handed pitching in recent weeks, but he's gone just 5-for-27 with a 2:10 BB:K over his last 10 games and could be at risk of losing out on regular starts. According to Kennedi Landry of MLB.com, Jake Burger (wrist) could be activated from the injured list as soon as Monday, and the Rangers may consider giving the right-handed-hitting Burger a look as the full-time first baseman rather than deploying him in a platoon with Tellez.

Rangers manager Bruce Bochy said that Burger (wrist) could be activated from the 10-day injured list as soon as Monday, Kennedi Landry of MLB.com reports.

Burger wasn't sent out on a minor-league rehab assignment since landing on the injured list Aug. 18 due to a left wrist sprain, but he's been able to face live pitching at the Rangers' facility in Arizona and appears to be ready for game action. Whenever he's activated, Burger is likely to step back into the short side of a platoon at first base with the left-handed-hitting Rowdy Tellez.

Schanuel (wrist) said Friday that he has yet to resume baseball activities, Jeff Fletcher of The Orange County Register reports.

After being placed on the shelf last Sunday due to a bone bruise in his left wrist, Schanuel expressed confidence that he would be available to rejoin the Angels in the minimum 10 days, but he doesn't appear to be progressing as quickly as he anticipated. The Angels will likely continue to get by with a platoon of Niko Kavadas and Oswald Peraza at first base until Schanuel makes a full recovery.