MLB Player News

Friedl will start in center field and bat eighth in Monday's contest versus the Padres.

Friedl has played sparingly in the second half, but his reps are trending up as he starts Monday for the third time over the Reds' last four games against right-handed pitching. With Friedl getting another look in center field, Dane Myers will begin the festivities on the bench.

Soto is out of the lineup for Monday's game against the Rays, Max Goodman of NJ.com reports.

Soto appears to be receiving a planned day of rest after he made his return from the injured list Saturday following a five-week absence due to a Grade 2 calf strain. He served as a designated hitter for the final two games of the Mets' weekend series with the Astros, going 2-for-7 with a home run, a walk, two runs and two RBI. The Mets reinstated Mark Vientos (hand) from the injured list Monday and will insert him in the lineup at DH in Soto's stead.

Myers is absent from the lineup for Monday's game against the Padres.

For the third time across the last four contests, the right-handed-hitting Myers will hit the bench against a right-handed starter (in this case, Michael King). He could be reverting back into a platoon with TJ Friedl, who will occupy center field Monday.

De La Cruz (quadriceps) will start at designated hitter and bat second in Monday's game versus the Padres.

De La Cruz departed Sunday's win over the Cubs due to left quad tightness, which manager Terry Francona clarified Monday was a "small strain," per Charlie Goldsmith of Fox 19 Now Cincinnati. While De La Cruz plans to play through the issue, it could tamp down his aggressiveness on the basepaths, though it shouldn't affect him in the batter's box.

Crews is absent from the lineup for Monday's contest versus the Marlins.

After starting each of the previous 11 games, Crews will retreat to the bench in Monday's series finale. Andrew Pinckney will patrol right field for the Nationals while Crews rests.

Nunez is not in the lineup for Monday's game against the Marlins.

CJ Abrams made his first start at second base for the Nationals on Sunday versus the Marlins, but he'll move back to shortstop for Monday's series finale. That will push Nunez to the bench, and Jorbit Vivas to the keystone.

Hill is out of the lineup for Monday's game in Atlanta, Alex Pavlovic of NBC Sports Bay Area reports.

He'll take a seat for the makeup game in Atlanta while the Giants go with a starting outfield of Drew Gilbert, Jonah Cox and Jung Hoo Lee from left to right. Hill had been included in the lineup for six of the Giants' previous seven games, going 5-for-19 with two doubles, four walks, four RBI, two runs and one stolen base during that span.

Whitcomb is out of the lineup for Monday's game in Atlanta, Alex Pavlovic of NBC Sports Bay Area reports.

Whitcomb will hit the bench for the first time since being recalled from Triple-A Sacramento a week ago. He made starts against four right-handers and three lefties over the Giants' last seven games, slashing a poor .077/.077/.231 with a 0:10 BB:K during that span. Osleivis Basabe will get the nod Monday at third base, and he could emerge as more of a factor at that position if Whitcomb is unable to get going at the plate in his future starts.

Cavanaugh is out of the lineup for Monday's game in Atlanta, Alex Pavlovic of NBC Sports Bay Area reports.

Cavanaugh will hit the bench for the makeup game in Atlanta while the Giants go with Andrew Knizner behind the plate. Unless he's used off the bench Monday, Cavanaugh will close out August having produced a lowly .208/.276/.226 slash line over 58 plate appearances.

The Pirates will transfer Griffin's (finger) rehab assignment from Double-A Altoona to Triple-A Indianapolis beginning Tuesday, Dominic Campbell of SI.com reports.

On the shelf since July 6 due to a torn sagittal band on his left ring finger, Griffin is closing in on a return to the Pirates' active roster after he kicked off his rehab assignment over the weekend. In his lone game with Altoona on Sunday, Griffin went 1-for-3 with two strikeouts while playing seven innings at shortstop. The star rookie checked out fine after being evaluated by team trainers Monday and will now get a few more games under his belt at Indianapolis before likely coming off the 60-day injured list when first eligible Friday.