MLB Player News

Bader will start in center field and bat sixth in Monday's game against the Brewers.

After being acquired from the Twins on July 31, Bader started in just three of the Phillies' first seven games of August, but he appears to have since moved into a quasi-everyday role. He included this past month by starting in 17 of the final 22 contests, slashing .328/.408/.475 with one home run, three RBI and nine runs. Given that he's swinging a hot bat and is an excellent defender, Bader could end up being prioritized ahead of Nick Castellanos -- who is out of the lineup Monday -- Max Kepler and Brandon Marsh in the final month of the season.

Encarnacion (hamstring) could begin a rehab assignment with Triple-A Sacramento by the end of this week, Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.

Encarnacion has been working out with Sacramento lately and should be cleared to play in games with them soon as long as he continues to progress. He's been sidelined since early August with a Grade 2 right hamstring strain but could be back on the Giants' active roster by mid-September.

Hill was removed from Monday's game against the Nationals in the third inning due to right hamstring discomfort, Stephen Strom of Marlins Radio Network reports.

Hill sustained the injury while running to first base on his lone plate appearance of the day, when he reached on a throwing error. The Marlins summoned Victor Mesa from the bench to pinch run for Hill, who could be subject to further testing on the hamstring injury before Miami determines whether he'll require a stint on the injured list.

Conine (shoulder) is expected to join one of the Marlins' affiliates later this week to begin a rehab assignment, Kevin Barral of FishonFirst.com reports.

After undergoing surgery April 29 to address a dislocated left shoulder, Conine was presumed to be shut down for the season, but he's apparently progressed more rapidly than expected and is on the cusp of being cleared for game action. Given how much time he's missed, Conine is expected to need at least a week's worth of at-bats in the minors to find his swing and get comfortable playing the outfield again before the Marlins bring him back from the injured list. Before getting shut down with the shoulder injury, Conine had gotten off to a solid start to the season for Miami, slashing .281/.352/.438 with one home run and seven RBI over 20 games.

Hill was lifted for a pinch runner in the third inning of Monday's game against the Nationals due to an apparent lower-body injury, Kevin Barral of FishonFirst.com reports.

Hill went 0-for-1 but reached base on a throwing error during his lone plate appearance of the day. He appeared to have tweaked something while sprinting to first base, as the Marlins quickly summoned Victor Mesa from the bench to pinch run for him. Miami should have more details on Hill's injury later Monday.

Castellanos is out of the lineup for Monday's game in Milwaukee.

Castellanos has gone hitless over his last five contests and continues to see a dip in playing time since the Phillies acquired Harrison Bader at the trade deadline, as Monday marks the sixth time that he's been out of the lineup since Aug. 1. Philadelphia will go with Brandon Marsh, Bader and Max Kepler in the outfield for the series opener.

Matos is out of the lineup for Monday's game against the Rockies, Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.

Matos will get a well-deserved breather for the series opener in Colorado, after he had started in all 10 of the Giants' games since his Aug. 21 call-up from Triple-A Sacramento. Drew Gilbert will get the nod in right field Monday, but Matos appears to be locked into a near-everyday role after slashing .432/.450/.811 with three home runs and two steals following his promotion.

Crow-Armstrong is starting in center field and batting seventh in Monday's game versus Atlanta.

Atlanta is starting right-hander Spencer Strider, marking the lowest spot in the lineup Crow-Armstrong has hit against a righty since early May. The 23-year-old finished August having slashed just .160/.216/.230 with one home run and two steals.

Mets manager Carlos Mendoza said Monday that Taylor has been dealing with hamstring discomfort over the last few days, Mike Puma of the New York Post reports.

Taylor hadn't played in either of the Mets' last two games, though New York faced right-handed starters in both of those contests and likely wouldn't have included in the lineup even if he were healthy. The hamstring issue seems to be a day-to-day concern for Taylor, who has been showing improvement and should be back in action before long.

The Cubs recalled Alcantara from Triple-A Iowa on Monday.

The Cubs appear more comfortable with Alcantara filling a reserve outfielder role down the stretch than Owen Caissie, who has been sent back down to Iowa so he can play regularly again. Alcantara has slashed .266/.349/.470 with 17 home runs and 10 stolen bases over 102 games this season with the Cubs' top minor-league affiliate.