MLB Player News

Nationals manager Blake Butera said Monday that Crews (hand) will be back in the lineup Tuesday against the Marlins, Mark Zuckerman of NatsJournal.com reports.

Crews will miss a second straight start Monday after his right hand swelled up on him following a hit-by-pitch in Saturday's contest versus the Padres. However, he will be available off the bench Monday following a full round of batting practice, and is slated to return to the lineup Tuesday.

Carter (foot) will start in center field and bat seventh in Monday's game against the Cardinals.

Carter will make his return to the lineup after a two-game absence due to a sore left foot, which stemmed from being hit by an 86.9-mph slider during Friday's 9-1 win over the Royals. The 23-year-old had made enough progress for the Rangers to make him available for Sunday's series finale, but he ultimately went unused in a 6-3 victory. Though Carter is ostensibly healthy again, fantasy managers will have to decide whether chasing the upside he provides in the stolen-base category is worth the damage he inflicts in batting average. Carter enters Monday's contest batting just .175 on the season, with that average placing him 159th among MLB's 160 qualified hitters.

Vilade is out of the lineup for Monday's game against the Tigers, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

After a stretch of three straight starts in which he went 0-for-10 with a walk and three RBI, Vilade will hit the bench for a second straight day. Both of Vilade's absences have come against right-handed pitching, so he still appears to be stuck in a short-side platoon role even though the Rays' outfield depth has been further tested with Jonny DeLuca (hamstring) recently joining Jake Fraley (hernia) on the injured list.

Perez is out of the lineup for Monday's game against the Reds.

Perez will head to the bench for just the third time all season, breaking a streak of 18 consecutive starts for the 35-year-old backstop. The night off comes while Perez has fallen into another offensive lull. Over his last five starts, Perez went 2-for-18 with a 1:4 BB:K to bring his OPS down to a career-low .615 on the season.

Vierling is out of the lineup for Monday's game against the Rays, Chris McCosky of The Detroit News reports.

He'll head to the bench after starting in each of Detroit's last four games while going 2-for-13 with two walks and a run. Wenceel Perez will cover center field in Vierling's place in the series opener.

The Tigers activated Madden (forearm) from the 15-day injured list Monday.

Madden is set to start Monday's game against the Rays after missing the last couple weeks with a right forearm contusion. The right-hander threw 4.1 innings and 70 pitches in his lone rehab start and should be capable of stretching out to 80 pitches or so Monday in Tampa Bay.

The Tigers optioned Vanasco to Triple-A Toledo on Monday.

Vanasco has made five appearances for the Tigers this season and has been torched for 12 runs (11 earned) over 6.1 innings. He's clearing off the roster to make space for the return of Ty Madden (forearm), who will start Monday in Tampa Bay.

Burns (illness) is slated to make his next start Wednesday against the Royals after being scratched from his scheduled outing in Monday's series opener, Charlie Goldsmith of Fox 19 Now Cincinnati reports.

Burns came down with a fever overnight, and though the Reds are expecting his symptoms to subside quickly, he'll be given a couple extra days to rest up and recuperate. The Reds will opt for a bullpen game Monday, with right-hander Lyon Richardson opening the contest and expected to cover the first two or three innings before exiting.

Reds manager Terry Francona said Monday that an MRI on De La Cruz's right hamstring showed between a Grade 1 and Grade 2 strain, Charlie Goldsmith of Fox 19 Now Cincinnati reports.

De La Cruz was placed on the 10-day injured list earlier Monday for the first time in his major-league career. He could get another MRI in a couple weeks to check the status of his progress, but early indications are that De La Cruz will likely be sidelined for 2-to-4 weeks. Matt McLain is drawing the start at shortstop for Cincinnati in Monday's game versus the Royals, and Edwin Arroyo is making his major-league debut at second base.

Friedl is out of the lineup for Monday's game against the Royals.

Friedl resurfaced in the Cincinnati lineup for three straight starts late last week, but despite reaching base in three of his eight plate appearances during that stretch, manager Terry Francona will send the outfielder to the bench for a second straight matchup versus a right-hander. With Friedl taking a seat, the Reds will be able to reopen a spot in the middle infield for Matt McLain, while Spencer Steer shifts to the outfield after manning the keystone in Sunday's win over Atlanta.