Ballesteros will serve as the Cubs' designated hitter and cleanup batter in Monday's game against the Pirates.

Ballesteros will be awarded his fourth straight start after he went 5-for-10 with one home run, one triple, two walks, two RBI and three runs during the Cubs' series versus the Rays over the weekend. Though he's made the most of his opportunities since being called up from Triple-A Iowa last Tuesday, Ballesteros' playing time could be squeezed once Seiya Suzuki (illness) makes his return to the lineup.

Suzuki (illness) is out of the lineup for Monday's game against the Pirates.

Out of the lineup for the fourth consecutive game, Suzuki is apparently dealing with something more than a mild illness, but the Cubs haven't shed light on the nature of his ailment. Manager Craig Counsell revealed Sunday that Suzuki traveled with the team to Pittsburgh, so the expectation remains that the 31-year-old will avoid a stint on the injured list and return to the lineup at some point later in the series. Moises Ballesteros will serve as the Cubs' designated hitter once again Monday while Suzuki sits.

Pederson went 2-for-3 with two walks and two RBI in Sunday's 5-2 extra-inning loss to the Mets.

Pederson didn't waste a bases-loaded opportunity in the seventh inning, when he delivered a two-out, two-run single to tie the game. The multi-hit effort was a relief for the Rangers and Pederson, who entered the game on a 1-for-18 (.056) run.

Diaz went 1-for-4 with a solo home run and a walk Sunday against the Cubs.

Diaz led off the game with a solo home run, his second long ball in his last four games. He now has career-best marks in both home runs (24) and RBI (79), and he's also pacing for a career-high number of plate appearances. Diaz is closing the season strong, as he's hit .362 with two home runs, five RBI and 10 runs scored in 12 games across September.

Springer went 3-for-5 with a home run, two doubles, two RBI and two runs scored in Sunday's win over Baltimore.

Springer put Toronto on the board with an RBI double in the third inning before ripping a solo shot in the fifth. He later doubled and scored in the seventh. Springer now has back-to-back multi-hit games after a small 4-for-26 (.154) slump over his previous seven appearances. The veteran outfielder has gone 54-for-146 (.370) with 20 extra-base hits since the All-Star break, bringing his season slash line up to .303/.395/.554 through 521 plate appearances.

Polanco went 3-for-5 with three doubles and two runs scored in Sunday's 11-2 win over the Angels.

While Polanco didn't knock in any runs himself, he was a key part of the Mariners' offense in this romp. He's hit safely in 12 straight games, going 18-for-43 (.419) with two home runs, 11 doubles and 10 RBI in that span to help get the Mariners' offense on track after a lull earlier in the month. Polanco is up to a .267/.328/.497 slash line with 24 homers, 28 doubles, 72 RBI, 59 runs scored and six stolen bases across 128 games this season.

Suzuki (illness) is not expected to play in Monday's series opener against the Pirates, Bruce Levine of 670TheScore.com reports.

Suzuki will travel with the team to Pittsburgh, but he appears to be on track to miss a fourth consecutive game Monday. The 31-year-old is dealing with some sort of illness, and Moises Ballesteros has drawn the start at designated hitter in Suzuki's place for the last three contests.

Flores will start at first base and bat sixth in Sunday's game against the Dodgers.

Flores has mostly occupied the short side of a platoon with Dominic Smith (hamstring) since the All-Star break, but with Smith landing on the injured list Saturday, Flores should get the chance to play on a near-everyday basis. The 34-year-old heads into Sunday's contest having produced a .238/.306/.375 slash line with 15 home runs, 67 RBI, 41 runs and one stolen base in 444 plate appearances on the season.

Larnach is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Diamondbacks.

After starting in each of the Twins' previous five games, Larnach will get a breather in the series finale. Edouard Julien will enter the Minnesota lineup at designated hitter in Larnach's stead.

Del Castillo is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Twins.

The left-handed-hitting Del Castillo will hit the bench for the series finale against Minnesota righty Bailey Ober and appears to be stuck in a part-time role at designated hitter. Del Castillo has now started in three of the Diamondbacks' last six matchups versus righties, and his playing-time outlook is unlikely to improve until he shows an ability to make more contact. He's striking out at 52.2 percent clip through seven games in September.