MLB Player News

Reds first baseman Joey Votto is likely headed to the disabled list with a left knee injury, according to FoxSports.com senior baseball writer Ken Rosenthal. It's the same knee that required surgery in 2012.

The report added that Votto did not make the trip with the team to Philadelphia and that he's scheduled for an MRI.

Votto has taken a step back this year after a disappointing 2013 in which he eschewed an aggressive approach at the plate for greater patience and wound up with just 73 RBI. He has just six home runs and 12 RBI in 2014 and his average has fallen to an uncharacteristic .257. He scored 101 runs last season to just 19 so far this year.

Mets infielder Wilmer Flores said Tuesday he's available off the bench after missing Monday's game due to a stomach virus, per MLB.com. However, he was left out of the starting lineup after Mets manager Terry Collins chose to start Ruben Tejada.

Braves first baseman Freddie Freeman went 1 for 3 with a walk and a solo home run in his team's 4-2 loss to the Giants Monday.

Freeman had just the third hit of the game for the Braves in the ninth inning with a shot to right field that reduced the deficit to two runs, but the Braves weren't able to complete the comeback. He has hit .303/.379/.521 with seven home runs and 21 RBI in 142 at-bats.

Mets infielder Wilmer Flores was out of the starting lineup Monday while dealing with the aftereffects of a stomach virus, MLB.com reports.

Flores revealed Monday that he was feeling "much better" Monday after coming out of Sunday's game with the issue. He could be used in Monday's game against the Yankees off the bench.

Reds first baseman Joey Votto went 1 for 2 with a walk and a solo home run in his team's 11-2 loss to the Rockies Saturday.

Votto was the lone bright spot in the blowout loss for the Reds, hitting a home run for the second consecutive game. He has hit .266/.414/.476 with six home runs and 12 RBI in 124 at-bats.

Reds first baseman Joey Votto will hit in the four-hole again Saturday.

Votto was moved to the cleanup spot Friday, and managed to hit a walkoff home run. With the Reds struggling with injuries, it looks like Votto will stay in that spot for now. Things could change once Jay Bruce returns. 

Votto is hitting .262 in 122 at-bats. 

Braves first baseman Freddie Freeman reached base four times Friday against the Cubs. 

Freeman walked in his first plate appearance, before singling in his next two at-bats. He made his only out of the day in the eighth inning, grounding out to first. With the two teams tied in the bottom of the 10th, Freeman stepped in with a man on second and the game possibly on the line. He delievered, stroking a walkoff single to center on the first pitch he saw.

Freeman finished the game 3 for 4, with one run scored and one RBI.

Reds first baseman Joey Votto move to the cleanup spot paid off on Friday, as he launched a walkoff home run to lead his team past the Rockies 5-4.

Votto took Boone Logan deep for a solo home run in the ninth inning to end the game. It was his only hit of the night. He finished 1 for 4 with a run scored and an RBI. He is hitting .262 with five homers and 11 RBI in 122 at-bats.

Struggling to score runs, the Mets have inserted infielder Wilmer Flores in the starting lineup for Friday's game against the Phillies. He will take over for Ruben Tejada at shortstop.

Mets shortstops have posted a .517 OPS, which ranks second-to-last among the 30 teams in baseball. Flores, who was called up Thursday, hit .307 in 114 at-bats while at Triple-A Las Vegas.

Reds first baseman Joey Votto will start at the cleanup spot Friday against Colorado for the first time since August 10, 2009.

Votto had moved from the third to the second spot in the lineup this season. His power numbers, which took a hit last year, have continued to slip. He has just four home runs and 10 RBI in 2013. His batting average has slipped to a disappointing .263 with a 6-for-37 run.