MLB Player News

Diamondbacks prolific first baseman Paul Goldschmidt wiped out a scoreless tie in the sixth inning Wednesday in Cincinnati with a two-run homer that put his team ahead to stay.

Despite his first homer since July 19, Goldschmidt is scuffling a bit. He has just seven hits in his last 39 at-bats as his stat line has been weakened to a still-fine .301/.396/.545.

First baseman Freddie Freeman certainly can't be blamed for his team's loss Tuesday night to the host Dodgers.

Freeman gave his team a brief lead with a two-run homer in the third inning. He added a single and walk to push his on-base percentage on the year to a fine .376.

Phillies first baseman Ryan Howard belted his 16th home run Sunday against the Diamondbacks. 

In his first at-bat, Howard homered on the first pitch he saw from Vidal Nuno. He crushed a 90 mph to left center for a two-run shot. He finished 1 for 3, with two runs scored and two RBI. 

Phillies first baseman Ryan Howard is back in the starting lineup Saturday against the Diamondbacks for the first time since Tuesday.

The Phillies have been giving Howard time off recently due to his struggles, and have discussed the possibility of using him in a platoon moving forward. 

Phillies general manager Ruben Amaro Jr. told reporters that first baseman Ryan Howard still has a future with the club. This comes a day after CBSSports.com Baseball Insider Jon Heyman reported that the Phillies were trying to deal Howard before the July 31 deadline.

"I fully expect him to be our first baseman next year," Amaro said. "I don't know where people are coming up with him not having a future with us. He's a very big part of our organization."

The Phillies are attempting to deal first baseman Ryan Howard, according to CBSSports.com Baseball Insider Jon Heyman.

Trading Howard may be difficult. The 34-year-old is hitting just .224/.305/.377 over 371 at-bats, and is owed nearly $70 million on his current deal. The Phillies would likely have to eat a significant amount of money if Howard is dealt. 

The Mets recalled infielder Wilmer Flores from Triple-A Las Vegas Thursday. To clear a roster spot, outfielder Kirk Nieuwenhuis was optioned to Las Vegas.

The Mets have recalled Wilmer Flores, who will join the team in Milwaukee Thursday, the team announced. A corresponding move has not yet been announced.

Earlier in the week, manager Terry Collins told reporters he did not expect Flores to be called up soon, despite hitting .323/.367/.568 in 55 games at Triple-A Las Vegas. His expected role is not yet known. 

Phillies first baseman Ryan Howard was out of the lineup for the second game in a row Thursday against the Giants in favor of Darin Ruf, and manager Ryan Sandberg told MLB.com this might become a recurring theme.

"The way I see things," Sandberg said. "I basically wanted to give Ruf two days in a row, just to get his feet wet, see him against a right-handed pitcher, then go from there. But in all likelihood, at least after today it will be a scenario of ... I'd be considering a platoon system at first base."

Howard was actually out of the lineup against a right-handed pitcher Thursday, but Sandberg said he wanted to give Darin Ruf two consecutive starts after his callup. The Phillies face two left-handed pitchers during a three-game series against the Diamondbacks beginning Friday, so Sandberg may also get him some time off then.

Howard is struggling against both right and left-handed pitchers this season, but has 10 of his 15 home runs against righties. He is hitting .229/.314/.368 against righties, compared to .209/.275/.407 vs. the opposite hand. 

Braves first baseman Freddie Freeman went 1 for 3 with a walk and a three-run home run in his team's 6-1 victory over the Marlins.

Freeman was just 1 for 24 in his previous six games coming into Wednesday, and his home run was just his first of the month. Even with his recent struggles, Freeman has still hit .284/.375/.479 with 14 home runs and 56 RBI in 388 at-bats.