MLB Player News

Diamondbacks first baseman Paul Goldschmidt homered Friday during a 5-4 win over the Mets. His 27th homer of the season won the game in the bottom of the ninth in walk-off fashion.

Goldschmidt walked twice during the game and finished 1 for 3 with two strikeouts. He's batting .299 on the year for Arizona.

Goldschmidt has gone 8 for 28 (.286) over his last eight games with four home runs and six RBI. He's also struck out nine times over that span with two stolen bases in four attempts.

Mets manager Terry Collins told Newsday he'd like to see infielder Wilmer Flores play second base during his stint in the majors. He has only two hits in his first 11 at-bats since joining the club on Aug. 6.

Mets infielder Wilmer Flores made a big impact in just his second major-league game Wednesday, as he drove in three runs in a 5-0 win over the Rockies.

Flores hit a three-run double in the eighth inning that ultimately provided the Mets with little more than insurance runs. He also scored earlier in the game after singling in the second inning, eventually finishing 2 for 4 with three RBI and one run scored. 

Cubs first baseman Anthony Rizzo is not in the team's starting lineup Wednesday.

Rizzo has been hot lately, clubbing four home runs in his last six games. He'll be replaced at first by Cody Ransom. Rizzo is hitting .240/.333/.451 in 421 at-bats. 

Diamondbacks first baseman Paul Goldschmidt didn't have a hit Tuesday against the Rays, but stiill had a strong game. 

Goldschmidt failed to get a hit in his only at-bat, but walked in his three other plate appearances. Goldschmidt took it on himself to get to second base, picking up his 11th stolen base in the fifth inning. He also scored two runs.

Goldschmidt is hitting .300/.392/.550 in 413 at-bats. 

Marlins infielder Donovan Solano continued his productive stretch Tuesday, as he drove in one run during a multi-hit effort in a 3-4 loss to the Pirates.

Solano went 3 for 4 in the game with one RBI, his fifth in five August appearances. He finished with three singles and one run scored in the loss. Solano is hitting .264 on the season and .263 in August, to go along with his five RBI. 

Phillies first baseman Ryan Howard, who is a month removed from knee surgery, has reported to the team's spring complex in Florida. However, he hasn't been cleared to hit.

General Ruben Amaro Jr. said Tuesday Howard wouldn't return until 100 percent healthy.

Mets rookie third baseman Wilmer Flores started at third base and hit sixth in his MLB debut Tuesday against the Rockies. Tuesday also happened to be Flores' 22nd birthday.

Mets manager Terry Collins said he hopes to play Flores every day while David Wright (hamstring) is sidelined.

Phillies manager Charlie Manuel suggested to the Philadelphia Daily News it might be beneficial for first baseman Ryan Howard, who is recovering from July knee surgery, to sit out the rest of the season.

"If he's not 100 percent healthy when he comes back," Manuel said Sunday, "it'll defeat the purpose of what we're trying to do. 

"I'd say there's a 50/50 chance he'll be back by late September. That's what I would say. I'm not saying he will be back this year or that he won't be back, but if he's going to play, it'd be mid-September [at best]. But even if he doesn't play, as long as he's healthy -- I think it's about getting him healthy first, and then if he's healthy, getting him in top-notch shape, that's second."

The Mets officially promoted third baseman Wilmer Flores from Triple-A Las Vegas Monday. He has had a great year at Triple-A with a .322 batting average, 15 homers and 86 RBI over 106 games.