Blue Jays’ Encarnacion, Martin still out for Game 1 of doubleheader
by Michael Hurcomb | CBSSports.com

(10:59 am ET) Before Monday’s game was rained out, Blue Jays manager John Gibbons made the decision to sit first baseman Edwin Encarnacion and catcher Russell Martin. Gibbons didn’t change his lineup for the first game of Tuesday’s doubleheader, as both players remained out of the lineup against Nationals starting pitcher Jordan Zimmermann.

Although, Martin’s absence also had to do with the fact knuckleballer R.A. Dickey was on the mound for Toronto since Josh Thole has been his personal catcher for most of the season. Justin Smoak was in the lineup for Encarnacion.

Encarnacion heads into Tuesday’s doubleheader mired in a 1-for-24 slump in his last six games. Prior to his slump, he hit .297 with a .615 slugging percentage, five doubles, eight home runs and 24 RBI in his previous 26 games.

Martin has also hit a bit of an offensive wall as of late, as he is batting .176 with no home runs, one double and one RBI in his last 10 games.

Mets’ Ruben Tejada racks up three hits in win Monday
by R.J. White | CBSSports.com

(10:58 am ET) Mets third baseman Ruben Tejada went 3 for 5 with a double and two runs scored in his team’s 7-0 win over the Padres on Monday.

Tejada was batting second and serving as the starting third baseman for the fourth straight game, and he’s been excellent in the role, going 8 for 17 with three doubles and four RBI. Manager Terry Collins said on Sunday that Tejada would continue to serve as the regular third baseman for now. The infielder has hit .274/.357/.419 with one home run and eight RBI in 62 at-bats.

Nationals’ Yunel Escobar batting leadoff in Game 1 of DH
by R.J. White | CBSSports.com

(10:53 am ET) Nationals third baseman Yunel Escobar is batting leadoff in the first game of Tuesday’s doubleheader.

Regular leadoff man Denard Span is missing Game 1 with a knee injury, leaving Escobar to fill the role for the seventh time this season. He’s 4 for 5 with a walk and a home run when leading off the first inning for the Nationals and has hit .313/.371/.391 with two home runs and 14 RBI in 179 at-bats.

The Nationals are heavy favorites (-210) for Game 1 with Jordan Zimmermann on the mound, per VegasInsider.com.

Rays INF Nick Franklin working on changes to fix hitting woes
by Michael Hurcomb | CBSSports.com

(10:49 am ET) After getting two hits in his season debut May 17, the hits dried up for Rays infielder Nick Franklin, who entered play Monday mired in a 0-for-24 slump. Although the Rays lost 7-3 to the Angels, Franklin had some personal success, ending his slide with a two-run homer.

“It was a big hit for him, it was a big hit for us at the time, especially against [Garrett Richards],” Rays manager Kevin Cash said, per MLB.com.

Franklin said after the game he has been working on fixing his swing, particularly with his hand placement.

“I’ve been working on it the last two days, I just made that adjustment,” Franklin said. “As of right now, I think it’s working. I like where I’m at with it. And I’m just going to continue doing it.

“It takes about two weeks to break a bad habit. You know it’s early for me, personally. … Technically, I just really started with the ABs. I think it’s just going to take a little time and I’ll get it.”

Nationals’ Denard Span out of lineup for Game 1 of Tuesday DH
by R.J. White | CBSSports.com

(10:46 am ET) Nationals center fielder Denard Span is not in the starting lineup for Game 1 of Tuesday’s doubleheader.

Manager Matt Williams said that an MRI on Span’s injured knee just revealed swelling, CSNWashington.com reports. The outfielder will continue to have his knee worked on, and he may be available to play in Game 2 of the doubleheader.

Span has hit .314/.356/.504 with five home runs, 16 RBI and three stolen bases in 137 at-bats.

Nationals’ Strasburg won’t throw until left trapezius strain is healed
by Michael Hurcomb | CBSSports.com

(10:39 am ET) After undergoing further evaluation, the Nationals’ original diagnosis of a left trapezius strain for starting pitcher Stephen Strasburg has been confirmed, manager Matt Williams told reporters Tuesday.

Williams said Strasburg won’t throw until the injury is healed, but he might only be down for a matter of days, per CSNwashington.com.

Strasburg went on the 15-day disabed list Saturday after pitching just one inning Friday at Cincinnati. The right-hander is having a tough start to the season, as he is 3-5 with a 6.55 ERA in 10 starts.

A’s activate Eric O’Flaherty, option Angel Castro to Triple-A
by R.J. White | CBSSports.com

(10:37 am ET) The Athletics activated pitcher Eric O’Flaherty from the 15-day disabled list on Tuesday and optioned pitcher Angel Castro to Triple-A Nashville.

O’Flaherty was sidelined for all of May with a shoulder injury. He owns an 11.57 ERA and 7:5 K:BB ratio in seven innings.

Castro gave up one earned run in three innings during four appearances while racking up three strikeouts and three walks.

Rays DH John Jaso (wrist) taking swings with a bat
by Michael Hurcomb | CBSSports.com

(10:29 am ET) Rays DH John Jaso (wrist) began swinging a bat over the weekend, manager Kevin Cash said Monday, per The Tampa Tribune. Jaso has been sidelined since early April.

Rays RP Kirby Yates to begin rehab assignment Thursday
by Michael Hurcomb | CBSSports.com

(10:26 am ET) Rays reliever Kirby Yates (pectoral) threw 22 pitches Monday in an extended spring game, according to The Tampa Tribune. He is scheduled to begin a rehab assignment with Class A Charlotte on Thursday.

Angels SP Garrett Richards: ‘I’ve got to be better overall’
by Michael Hurcomb | CBSSports.com

(10:15 am ET) Angels starting pitcher Garrett Richards picked up his fifth win of the season Monday against the Rays. However, despite the victory, Richards highlighted a bunch of areas where he feels he needs to improve.

“I need to do a better job of getting ahead of guys — I feel like I was behind in the count a lot tonight,” Richards said, per MLB.com. “I’ve got to do a better job of not being fine too early.

“I’ve got to do a better job mixing my curveball in with my fastball and my slider. I felt like I got a little bit repetitive and a little bit predictable. I’ve got to do a better job putting guys away. I’ve noticed [all the two-out runs].

“I’ve got to be better overall.”

For the most part, Richards is having a pretty good season. He is 5-3 with a 3.26 ERA and 1.21 WHIP in nine starts. Although, his ERA has been on the rise in his last three starts, as he has a 5.30 ERA in that span.

“I think it’s just a function of being a little bit erratic and maybe not having your best stuff,” manager Mike Scioscia said. “You try to get outs, you get two outs, you try to get the next guy out, and you’re not quite there.

“You will see, at times, some pitchers just get into a little cyclical thing where they have trouble finishing innings. And I think that’s where Garrett is right now. He’s finished some innings, but for the most part, there’s no doubt.

“He’ll be better.”