MLB Player News

Okamoto is out of the lineup for Tuesday's game against the Nationals.

Okamoto started the previous five games but will hit the bench Sunday after going 4-for-21 (.190) with a double, a homer and nine strikeouts during that span. The Japanese third baseman has a .606 OPS through 21 games in July, which has dropped his season-long slash line down to .224/.304/.441 in 425 plate appearances.

Encarnacion-Strand is out of the lineup for Tuesday's game against the Tigers, Jake Rill of MLB.com reports.

After making six consecutive starts at third base, Encarnacion-Strand finds himself on the bench Tuesday for a second straight game. The 26-year-old has a 1.155 OPS with three homers in seven games since getting promoted by Baltimore in mid-July, but Coby Mayo will pick up a second straight start the hot corner after homering in Monday's contest.

The Rangers released Espinal on Tuesday, Evan Grant of The Dallas Morning News reports.

Espinal had a .643 OPS in 11 games with Triple-A Round Rock after inking a minor-league contract earlier this month following his release from the Dodgers. The utility infielder will now look to latch on with a new club.

Jordan is absent from the lineup for Tuesday's game against the Cubs.

Jordan had started each of the previous nine tilts, but he will take a seat Tuesday. Jose Fermin is handling third base and batting eighth for the Cardinals.

Vivas will start at third base and bat eighth in Tuesday's game versus the Blue Jays.

Following the trade of Curtis Mead, the left-handed-hitting Vivas has started at third base both times the Nationals have faced a right-hander. Brady House drew a start against a lefty, but it seems Vivas is currently manager Blake Butera's preferred option at the hot corner versus righty hurlers. The 25-year-old Vivas is slashing .240/.321/.339 with three homers and a 21:32 BB:K across 76 contests for the Nats this season.

House is not in the lineup for Tuesday's game against the Blue Jays.

House started against a lefty Sunday after being recalled from Triple-A Rochester, but he'll now sit out a second straight day versus a righty. While the 23-year-old might not be in a strict short-side platoon with Jorbit Vivas, it seems the left-handed-hitting Vivas is the preferred option at third base versus righties.

Sanoja is absent from the lineup for Tuesday's contest versus the Phillies.

Sanoja will begin the festivities on the bench for the second time over the Marlins' last three games. Graham Pauley is grabbing a start at third base in Sanoja's stead.

Gelof (knee) is continuing a running progression and participating in baseball activities, per MLB.com.

Gelof landed on the injured list July 10 due to a right knee laceration and has been progressing in his recovery since having his stitches removed. It remains to be seen whether the 26-year-old will require a rehab assignment, but he's on track to return to action in early August. Before hitting the shelf, Gelof slashed .273/.327/.476 with 11 home runs, 29 RBI, 41 runs and eight stolen bases across 67 contests.

Bichette went 3-for-5 with an RBI in Monday's win over Atlanta.

All three knocks were singles, but it was still Bichette's third straight multi-hit performance. The 28-year-old infielder has hit safely in seven of the last eight contests, batting .382 (13-for-34) over that stretch, but he has just one double, two RBI and four runs to show for it.

Urias (elbows) was removed from a rehab game at Triple-A Memphis on Sunday after being hit on the elbow by a pitch, Amber Winkler of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports.

Urias was played in his second rehab game as he works his way back from tennis elbow in both arms. Cardinals manager Oliver Marmol said Monday that Urias is "staying there for now" on his rehab assignment at Memphis, so it appears he's avoided a serious setback. It's unclear whether he'll be able to play Tuesday, however. Urias has been sidelined since early May.