MLB Player News

Lee was removed from Thursday's game against the Diamondbacks due to back spasms, Shayna Rubin of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.

Lee will likely be sent for further evaluation to determine whether he'll need a stint on the injured list. He can be considered day-to-day until the club has another update to share. Will Brennan took over in right field Monday in Lee's absence.

Crews is expected to be recalled from Triple-A Rochester ahead of Tuesday's game against the Mets, Mark Zuckerman of NatsJournal.com reports.

Crews is slashing .258/.345/.432 with five homers, 20 RBI, seven stolen bases and 30 runs scored over 41 games so far this season at Triple-A, and the Nationals have evidently liked what they've seen out of the 24-year-old. Zuckerman notes that the plan to promote Crews was already in action before Monday's game, though Jacob Young (ribs) was hit by a pitch in the second inning and exited the game, which could result in a clearer path to playing time for Crews if Young is forced to the injured list. Expect the team to make Crews' promotion official Tuesday.

Conforto will start at designated hitter and bat sixth in Monday's game against the Brewers.

The Cubs are including Conforto in the starting nine for a third consecutive game, with the struggling Moises Ballesteros having hit the bench for all of those contests. At this point, Conforto appears to have emerged as the Cubs' preferred option at DH while he's maintained a magnificent .345/.456/.655 slash line to go with three home runs, 11 RBI and 11 runs in 68 plate appearances on the season. The Cubs are still likely to shield the left-handed-hitting Conforto from lefty pitching, but that arrangement could help prop up his batting average.

Mitchell is out of the lineup for Monday's game against the Cubs.

The Brewers will give the left-handed-hitting Mitchell a breather Monday while southpaw Shota Imanaga takes the hill for the Cubs. Jackson Chourio will slide over from his usual spot in left field to replace Mitchell in center.

Beck was placed on the 10-day injured list Monday with a left hamstring injury, Patrick Saunders of The Denver Post reports.

It's not clear as to when Beck picked up the hamstring injury, but he'll be forced to miss at least the next 10 days while on the mend. Braxton Fulford was recalled in a corresponding move.

Young left Monday's game against the Mets after being hit in the left ribcage by a pitch, Mark Zuckerman of NatsJournal.com reports.

Young will presumably be taken to get X-rays after departing Monday's matchup. Joey Wiemer replaced Young in center field and could see more opportunities going forward if Young is forced to miss additional time.

Atlanta activated Acuna (hamstring) from the 10-day injured list Monday.

Manager Walt Weiss had indicated earlier Monday that the club could wait until this weekend before reinstating Acuna, but Atlanta opted to activate the outfielder after he completed a full workout without issue Monday. He's not included in the lineup for Monday's series opener in Miami, but Acuna will be available off the bench and should return to the starting nine Tuesday. He's been out since early May with a strained hamstring.

Manager Walt Weiss said Monday that Acuna (hamstring) is viewed as day-to-day at this stage in his recovery, but Atlanta may wait until the start of its home series Friday versus the Nationals to activate the star outfielder from the injured list, Chad Bishop of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports.

Though Acuna won't be reinstated ahead of Monday's series opener in Miami, Weiss said that the five-time All-Star hasn't been ruled out from returning for any of the final three games of the series versus the Marlins. That said, a weekend return appears more likely for Acuna, given that the synthetic turf at Miami's loanDepot Park could put added stress on the 28-year-old's legs. Acuna has been on the shelf since May 3 due to a Grade 1 left hamstring strain but should be ready to handle an everyday role in right field whenever he's activated.

Melendez is out of the lineup for Monday's game against the Nationals.

Since the calendar flipped to May, Melendez's performance has taken a dramatic step backward. Over 15 games on the month, Melendez has slashed just .138/.286/.207 with one extra-base hit and a 34.3 percent strikeout rate. Now on the bench Monday against a righty starter (Jake Irvin) after most of his previous absences had come versus left-handed pitching, Melendez could be losing hold of his strong-side platoon role.

Benson is out of the lineup for Monday's game against the Phillies.

The left-handed-hitting Benson had been included in the lineup for each of the Reds' last six matchups with right-handed pitchers, but he'll hit the bench against Phillies righty Andrew Painter while Cincinnati goes with a starting outfield of JJ Bleday, TJ Friedl and Spencer Steer from left to right. Second baseman Matt McLain will occupy Benson's usual spot at the top of the batting order.