MLB Player News

Contreras (foot) will start at first base and bat cleanup in Monday's game against the Marlins.

Contreras missed the previous four games after being hit on the foot by a pitch, but he's good to go for the series opener in Miami. With Contreras back in action, Alec Burleson will shift back to the outfield after drawing his last four starts at first base.

Church will start in center field and bat ninth in Monday's game versus the Marlins.

Church has now started both games in center field for the Cardinals since he was called up from Triple-A Memphis after Victor Scott (ankle) was placed on the injured list. Lars Nootbaar is also an option for reps in center field, but Church has a much better glove and and had a breakout season offensively in the minors, slashing .329/.386/.524 with 13 home runs and 16 steals across three levels. It's not clear yet when Scott will return, but until he does, Church might serve as the Cardinals' primary center fielder against right-handed pitching.

McKinstry is out of the lineup for Monday's game against the Astros.

The left-handed-hitting McKinstry had started in each of the last four games while the Tigers faced right-handed pitchers, but he went just 2-for-15 during that stretch to bring his batting average down to .258 for the season. The Tigers will go up against another righty (Spencer Arrighetti) on Monday, but McKinstry will give up his spot in the lineup to Trey Sweeney, who draws the start at shortstop.

Horton was removed from his start in the first game of Monday's doubleheader with the Brewers midway through the third inning due to an apparent blister on his pitching hand, Bruce Levine of 670TheScore.com reports. He struck out three batters and gave up one run on four hits and one walk over 2.2 frames prior to departing the contest.

The Cubs will likely provide clarity later Monday regarding whether Horton was battling a blister or some other kind of health concern, but the rookie was pulled from the contest after he was visited twice on the mound by Craig Counsell and a team trainer and on an another occasion by pitching coach Tommy Hottovy. Prior to Monday's twin bill, Horton had been the Cubs' top performing starter since the All-Star break, having posted a microscopic 0.32 ERA and 0.71 WHIP in 28.1 innings over his last five starts. After exiting with a 1-0 deficit, Horton will be on the hook for his fourth loss of the season if the Cubs are unable to tie the game or take the lead at any point in the remainder of the contest.

The Red Sox recalled Eaton from Triple-A Worcester on Monday.

Eaton will join the 26-man active roster in place of Rob Refsnyder (oblique), who was placed on the 10-day injured list. The utility player previously went 6-for-24 with three stolen bases over 14 games with the big club earlier this season. The right-handed-hitting Eaton is unlikely to see many starts versus right-handed pitching, but he could have a regular spot in the lineup versus lefties. He'll serve as Boston's designated hitter and leadoff batter in Monday's matchup with Orioles southpaw Trevor Rogers.

In 12 games this month for Double-A Erie, McGonigle has five home runs and a 1.082 OPS.

In his first 14 games for Erie following a promotion in early July, McGonigle posted a solid .302 batting average but only went deep once. The 21-year-old has displayed increased power since the calendar flipped to August, however, with the five long balls, including four homers in his last five games. McGonigle has quickly established himself as a top-five prospect and the Tigers' shortstop of the near future, although it's unclear how aggressively he'll be pushed over the rest of the season.

The Red Sox placed Refsnyder on the 10-day injured list Monday with a left oblique strain.

It's not clear when Refsnyder was injured, but he hadn't played since making a pinch-hitting appearance last Wednesday. He will be eligible for activation Aug. 26, but any oblique injury has the potential to create longer than a minimum stay on the IL.

In 26 games since getting promoted to Double-A Erie, Clark is slashing .274/.371/.481 with four home runs and 10 RBI.

Clark has adjusted well so far to the jump up in level, and he's also impacting the game with his speed, as he has six steals in six attempts for Erie. The 20-year-old outfielder is one of the top prospects in baseball, and he has the potential to be a five-tool player at some point in the majors. For now, expect Clark to keep developing at Double-A, with a promotion to Triple-A Toledo a possibility later in the year.

The Marlins placed Pauley on the 10-day injured list Monday with a right oblique strain.

Miami hasn't shed light on the severity of the injury that Pauley sustained over the weekend, but given that even mild oblique strains typically entail more than a 10-day recovery, the 24-year-old is unlikely to return from the IL when first eligible Aug. 27. Miami recalled infielder Maximo Acosta from Triple-A Jacksonville in a corresponding move, but Javier Sanoja and Eric Wagaman may be likelier candidates to pick up starts at third base while Pauley is on the shelf.

The Marlins recalled Acosta from Triple-A Jacksonville on Monday. He'll start at second base and bat eighth in the Marlins' series opener versus the Cardinals.

Acosta will join the Marlins' 26-man active roster as a replacement for third baseman Graham Pauley (oblique), who was placed on the 10-day injured list in a corresponding move. Though Pauley's absence creates an opening at the hot corner, Acosta won't necessarily be in the mix for steady playing time with Miami, as he's been used exclusively at the middle-infield positions throughout his minor-league career. Acosta batted just .236 with a 10.6 percent walk rate and 26.5 percent strikeout rate over 431 plate appearances for Jacksonville this season, but he showcased a fantasy-friendly skill set with 13 home runs and 28 steals (in 35 attempts).