MLB Player News
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Jake Burger 3B | TEX
Marlins' Jake Burger: Making improvements
Burger (intercostal) will be evaluated soon to determine whether he can begin hitting, Christina De Nicola of MLB.com reports.
It's been a week since Burger landed on the injured list with a left intercostal strain, and the infielder is feeling better. He would likely need to start with some low-impact hitting drills initially before progressing to batting practice and eventually rehab games. It's still too early to determine a potential timetable for Burger's return.
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Jonathan Aranda 1B | TB
Rays' Jonathan Aranda: Rehab assignment coming soon
Manager Kevin Cash said Aranda (finger) is expected to begin a rehab assignment with Triple-A Durham later this week, Steve Carney of StPeteNine.com reports.
Aranda had the pins removed from his surgically repaired right ring finger a week ago, and he looks to be nearing a return to game action. The 25-year-old has been sidelined for the past month, so he'll need a good number of rehab at-bats before being activated from the 10-day injured list. Aranda had been in line to serve as the Rays' primary designated hitter against right-handed pitching before getting hurt.
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Kody Clemens 1B | MIN
Phillies' Kody Clemens: Getting start at first base
Clemens will start at first base and bat eighth in Monday's game in Cincinnati.
After being called up from Triple-A Lehigh Valley earlier in the day, Clemens will get the first chance to fill in for everyday first baseman Bryce Harper, who was placed on the paternity list. The 27-year-old Clemens received 148 plate appearances with the Phillies last season, producing a .644 OPS with four home runs. Clemens will likely be sent back down to Triple-A once Harper is ready to return later this week.
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Jake Bauers RF | MIL
Brewers' Jake Bauers: Returns from bereavement list
The Brewers reinstated Bauers (personal) from the bereavement list Monday.
Bauers was away from the Brewers for this past weekend's series in St. Louis but is back on the active roster for the series opener in Pittsburgh. He'll continue to see regular action at first base or as a designated hitter against right-handed pitching.
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Kody Clemens 1B | MIN
Phillies' Kody Clemens: Moves up to big-league roster
The Phillies recalled Clemens from Triple-A Lehigh Valley on Monday.
He'll join the 26-man active roster as a replacement for Bryce Harper (personal), who was placed on the paternity list. Harper will likely remain away from the Phillies for the maximum three days to welcome in the newest addition to his family, so Clemens' stay with the big club could come to an end before the end of the week. Clemens has produced an .841 OPS over 69 plate appearances at Lehigh Valley this season.
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Bryce Harper DH | PHI
Phillies' Bryce Harper: Goes on paternity leave
The Phillies placed Harper (personal) on the paternity list ahead of Monday's game against the Reds.
Per MLB rules, players placed on the paternity list have to miss between one and three games, so expect Harper to take the maximum amount of time to welcome in the newest addition to his family. Harper could link back up with the Phillies in Cincinnati on Thursday for the club's series finale with the Reds. Infielder Kody Clemens was recalled from Triple-A Lehigh Valley in a corresponding move.
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Freddie Freeman 1B | LAD
Dodgers' Freddie Freeman: Two doubles Sunday
Freeman went 2-for-3 with two doubles, two RBI and a run scored in Sunday's 10-0 win over the Mets.
Freeman doubled his first time up and then doubled home two runs as part of an eight-run fifth inning for the Dodgers. He's now reached base six times in the last two games and has five RBI over that span. The 34-year-old is hitting .287/.406/.391 with a home run, 13 RBI, 12 runs and a 15:20 BB:K in 106 plate appearances.
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Christian Encarnacion-Strand 1B | CIN
Reds' Christian Encarnacion-Strand: Clubs two-RBI double
Encarnacion-Strand went 1-for-4 with a run scored and two RBI during Sunday's 3-0 win over the Angels.
Encarnacion-Strand took part in each of the Reds' three runs scored, driving in Nick Martini and Elly De La Cruz on a sixth-inning double before coming around to score on a Jeimer Candelario triple. Although Encarnacion-Strand holds a poor .185/.190/.321 slash line, he ranks third on the Reds with 14 RBI.
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Christian Walker 1B | HOU
Diamondbacks' Christian Walker: Receives breather Sunday
Walker is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Giants.
Walker started the first 22 games of the season but will receive a well-deserved day off Sunday in San Francisco. Pavin Smith will step in at first base and bat sixth.
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Paul Goldschmidt 1B | NYY
Cardinals' Paul Goldschmidt: Batting fifth Sunday
Goldschmidt is starting at first base and batting fifth Sunday against the Brewers.
The 36-year-old has a .173/.279/.213 slash line through 20 games this season and will drop below the cleanup spot for the first time since 2013, per Rob Rains of StLSportsPage.com. Goldschmidt's track record provides plenty of reason to believe it's only matter of before he turns things around, but the move down the order is notable given his usual stability in the lineup.