MLB Player News

Marsee is not in the lineup for Monday's game in Philadelphia.

With ace lefty Cristopher Sanchez toeing the rubber for the Phillies, the lefty-swinging Marsee will receive a day of rest. Esteury Ruiz will cover center field in Marsee's stead.

Lawlar (hamstring) joined the Diamondbacks in Boston and is expected to be activated from the 10-day injured list ahead of Monday's game against the Red Sox, Steve Gilbert of MLB.com reports.

Though Lawlar had been expected to continue his rehab assignment at Double-A Amarillo for the early part of the week, the Diamondbacks have apparently seen enough from the 24-year-old during his time on the farm to feel comfortable with his health. Lawlar -- who has been on the shelf since June 20 due to a right hamstring strain -- hit .250 with five home runs, two stolen bases and a 1:13 BB:K in nine games with Amarillo. He'll likely see most of his action in center field upon rejoining the Diamondbacks, with Lawlar's addition perhaps leaving Ryan Waldschmidt, Max Kepler and Lars Nootbaar to jockey for playing time between left field and the designated-hitter spot.

Taylor (oblique) will begin a rehab assignment with Triple-A El Paso on Tuesday, Jeff Sanders of The San Diego Union-Tribune reports.

Taylor landed on the 10-day injured list in early July with a right oblique strain but has finally been cleared to play in games again. Given how much time Taylor has missed, the utility player will likely require a handful of rehab contests before returning.

The Pirates optioned Simon to Triple-A Indianapolis on Monday, Kevin Gorman of TribLive.com reports.

Simon will give up his spot on the 26-man active roster to outfielder Oneil Cruz (hand), who was reinstated from the 60-day injured list. After getting the call from Triple-A on Aug. 5, Simon saw a fairly steady role for the Pirates, starting in eight of the club's ensuing 11 games while slashing .290/.333/.323 with one stolen base, four runs and two RBI over 34 plate appearances.

The Pirates reinstated Cruz (hand) from the 60-day injured list Monday, Danny Demilio of PittsburghBaseballNow.com reports.

After going 3-for-22 with a 3:7 BB:K and a stolen base over six rehab games between Triple-A Indianapolis and Double-A Altoona, Cruz returned to PNC Park on Sunday to be re-evaluated, per Colin Beazley of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. With the training staff coming away satisfied with how his fractured left hand has healed, Cruz received the green light to rejoin the Pirates' active roster. Cruz won't be included in the starting lineup for Monday's series opener versus the Tigers, but he should quickly settle back in as the Pirates' primary center fielder after slashing .264/.350/.472 with 14 home runs, 21 steals, 45 runs and 44 RBI in 64 games prior to landing on the shelf.

Marte will start in right field and bat eighth in the first game of Monday's doubleheader with the Cardinals.

Despite going 0-for-6 at the plate over his last two starts, Marte will stick in the lineup for the third time in four games. Though the Reds appear to be prioritizing Marte ahead of rookie Hector Rodriguez -- who is on the bench for a fourth straight contest -- Michael Toglia could eventually cut into Marte's playing time. Toglia has been included in the lineup for four of the Reds' last six games, with his last two starts coming at corner-outfield positions.

Church is out of the lineup for the first game of Monday's doubleheader with the Reds.

Church's platoon mate, Everson Pereira, will cover center field for St. Louis in the early game while Cincinnati sends left-hander Kent Emanuel to the mound. Expect Church to return to the starting nine for the second game of the day, when right-hander Rhett Lowder will take the hill for the Reds.

Acuna went 1-for-4 with a double, an RBI and a stolen base in Sunday's win over the Diamondbacks.

He also struck out three times, but Acuna's pilfering of third base in the fifth inning, on the front end of a double steal with Matt Olson, was a very encouraging sign, as it was the star outfielder's first stolen base 19 games since returning from a hamstring strain in late July. If Acuna is feeling more confident in the health of his legs, he could be a lot busier on the basepaths down the stretch. On the season, he sports a .244/.350/.441 slash line with 13 homers and 16 steals in 72 contests.

Bleday is not in the lineup for the first game of Monday's doubleheader versus the Cardinals.

It's southpaw Quinn Mathews on the bump for the Cardinals, so the left-handed-hitting Bleday will exit the lineup while Michael Toglia handles left field. Bleday should be back in the lineup for Monday's nightcap.

Hernandez went 1-for-3 with a solo home run, a walk, a hit-by-pitch and an additional run scored in Sunday's 7-1 win over the Reds.

Hernandez finally broke the scoreless tie in the eighth inning, taking Tejay Antone deep for a solo homer that helped spark Miami's late offensive outburst. The blast was his second in his last four games. Hernandez has struggled to make consistent contact in August, batting .205 across 12 games while striking out in a third of his plate appearances. Through 93 games this season, he's slashing .231/.308/.459 with 18 homers, 13 doubles, one triple, 50 RBI, 35 runs and eight stolen bases.