MLB Player News

Mastrobuoni will start at third base and bat seventh in Sunday's game against the Cardinals.

Since heading to the bench for Wednesday's 4-0 win over the Orioles, the lefty-hitting Mastrobuoni has re-emerged as a regular part of the Cubs' lineup against right-handed pitching. Mastrobuoni will close the first half of the season with his fifth consecutive start, with his uptick in playing time coinciding with Cody Bellinger's (finger) placement on the injured list Thursday. Mastrobuoni has gone 4-for-13 with an RBI and two runs over his prior four starts.

Perkins is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Nationals.

After making his fifth consecutive start in Thursday's 1-0 loss to the Pirates, Perkins has now found himself on the bench twice in the Brewers' three-game series with the Nationals. The switch-hitting Perkins should still be a regular part of the lineup against left-handed pitching, but he looks set to serve as Milwaukee's fourth outfielder more often than not when the team faces righties.

Monasterio is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Nationals.

Monasterio had seen a surge in playing time in late June, but his starts will likely be more sparse moving forward after Joey Ortiz was reinstated from the injured list Friday. With Ortiz taking back everyday duties at third base, Monasterio will fill a utility role moving forward and will likely draw most of his starts against left-handed pitching.

Hoskins is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Nationals.

He'll get a breather for the series finale after starting at first base in the first two games against Washington while going 1-for-8 with a double, two RBI and a run. Jake Bauers will spell Hoskins at first base Sunday.

The Nationals scratched Garcia from the lineup for Sunday's game in Milwaukee for an unspecified reason.

Expect the Nationals to provide an explanation behind Garcia's removal from the starting nine later Sunday. Ildemaro Vargas will replace Garcia at second base and will bat seventh.

The Nationals recalled Willingham from Triple-A Rochester on Sunday.

Willingham joins the Washington bullpen as a replacement for right-hander Hunter Harvey, who was traded to the Royals on Saturday. The 25-year-old Willingham has pitched exclusively at Rochester this season, logging a 4.54 ERA and 1.43 WHIP over 39.2 innings. He'll likely be ticketed for low-leverage relief work while he's up with the Nationals.

Ramirez is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Brewers.

The right-handed-hitting Ramirez drew the start at designated hitter in Saturday's 6-5 win while the Brewers brought lefty Dallas Keuchel to the hill, but Ramirez will hit the bench for Sunday's series finale. Ramirez, who owns a .576 OPS since being promoted from Triple-A Rochester on June 24, should continue to serve as a short-side platoon player for the Nationals.

McCutchen (hamstring) will serve as the Pirates' designated hitter and leadoff batter in Sunday's game against the White Sox.

McCutchen will return to the lineup after he was removed in the ninth inning of Saturday's 6-2 win with what the Pirates labeled as left hamstring discomfort. Even though the Pirates could have kept McCutchen out of the lineup in their final game before the All-Star break to give the veteran some extended time to rest up, he'll be ready to go Sunday, which suggests his removal from Saturday's contest was precautionary.

Hilliard is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Mets.

The lefty-hitting Hilliard looks on track to serve as the Rockies' primary option in left field while Nolan Jones (back) is on the injured list, but Hilliard will likely hit the bench when the Rockies face southpaws. With lefty Jose Quintana taking the hill for the Mets on Sunday, Sean Bouchard will step in as the starter in left field in place of Hilliard, who had 5-for-13 with two home runs, one double, one stolen base, one walk, three RBI and three runs over the previous four contests.

Cave is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Mets.

With southpaw Jose Quintana on the hill for the Mets, the lefty-hitting Cave will retreat to the bench for the series finale. Hunter Goodman will step in for Cave in right field.