MLB Player News

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Naylor went 2-for-4 with a two-run home run and an additional RBI in Saturday's 6-3 win over the Athletics.

Naylor has hit safely in eight straight games, going 11-for-33 (.333) with three homers and eight RBI in that span. The first baseman is thriving in the cleanup spot, slashing .329/.400/.630 with six homers, 17 RBI, 13 runs scored and four doubles over 85 plate appearances, but he's also been caught stealing on both of his attempts this year. Naylor has trimmed his strikeouts rate to 11.8 percent and upped his walk rate to 9.9 percent. He's never hit more than 20 homers in a season, but he's also never exceeded 122 contests, so an everyday role seems to be in part helping his increased production.