MLB Player News

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

The left-handed-hitting Crooks was expected to get a look as the Cardinals' top backstop over the final few weeks of the season, but he's now sat in four of St. Louis' last five matchups, with three of his absences coming against right-handed pitching. Entering Sunday, the 72-77 Cardinals sit just four games behind the pace for the final wild-card spot in the National League, which may be a factor in the team's decision to lean more heavily of late on Pedro Pages, who lacks Crooks' upside as a hitter but is a more trusted defender behind the dish.

Contreras is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Cardinals.

Contreras is batting .324 (12-for-34) through 11 games in September, though his lone extra-base hit (a double) has resulted in a .351 slugging percentage. The 27-year-old will receive a rare day off Sunday after the Brewers were the first team in MLB to clinch a spot in the playoffs.

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

The left-handed-hitting Scott will hit the bench for the third time in four games, this time sitting against a lefty starter (Jose Quintana) after his previous two absences came versus right-handers. Nathan Church will draw the start in center field Sunday, but the Cardinals could take a committee approach to the position over the final two weeks rather than leaning on a set everyday starter.

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

Donovan started at second base and led off in both of the first two games of the series in Milwaukee following his return from the injured list, going 3-for-10 with a solo home run and a walk. Though Donovan hasn't experienced any setbacks with his groin since returning, the left-handed-hitting utility man will hit the bench for the day game after a night game while southpaw Jose Quintana toes the rubber for Milwaukee.

Contreras is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Brewers, with manager Oliver Marmol saying the first baseman is "pretty beat up" after being hit by a pitch twice Saturday, Jeff Jones of the Belleville News-Democrat reports.

Contreras is no stranger to hit-by-pitches, as he's now been plunked three times in the past three games and 23 times overall this year. The 33-year-old doesn't seem to be dealing with any serious injuries and could be available off the bench Sunday.

Marte will start at designated hitter and bat seventh in Sunday's game against the Rangers.

Marte will claim his fifth start in six games, with each coming against a left-handed pitcher. The veteran outfielder/designated hitter is slashing just .231/.231/.269 since the start of September and will likely remain in a short-side platoon role for the rest of the season.

Helman is not in the lineup for Sunday's game against the Mets.

Helman's absence from the lineup ends a run of six straight starts, during which he went 7-for-19 with two doubles, two homers and nine RBI. Adolis Garcia (quadriceps) is making his return from the injured list Sunday, with Wyatt Langford and Alejandro Osuna rounding out Texas' outfield. Helman and Osuna are the likely candidates to see reduced playing time with Garcia now healthy, but both players have been productive of late, with Osuna carrying a .346 average in September.

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

Burger started the previous nine games and will receive a day off after posting a .953 OPS with four homers during that span. Rowdy Tellez will instead start at first base in the series finale for Texas.

Schneider will start in left field and bat second in Sunday's game against the Orioles.

The Blue Jays have mainly used Schneider in the short side of a platoon this season, but he'll stick in the lineup Sunday for a fourth straight contest and for a third consecutive matchup with a right-handed starter (Albert Suarez). Schneider seems to be pushing Nathan Lukes and Joey Loperfido for playing time in the corner outfield, but all three players could be in line for role reductions once Anthony Santander (shoulder/back) returns from the 60-day injured list, perhaps as soon as next weekend.

Baty is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Rangers, Anthony DiComo of MLB.com reports.

It's the third baseman's fifth absence in New York's past six games, with all of those absences coming versus left-handed starting pitchers. Baty has been filling the strong side of a platoon at third base and has a .762 OPS through 10 games in September, which should be enough for him to retain that role despite the recent downturn in playing time.