MLB Player News

Votto went 3-for-4 with a double, a home run and three RBI in Friday's 7-3 loss to the Brewers.

Votto, who homered for the sixth time in 15 games, had a two-run homer in fifth inning and a run-producing double in the ninth. After missing 10 months due to a shoulder injury and returning June 19, Votto needed about 40 plate appearances to get his timing down. His batting average sat at .143 (5-for-35, five walks, three HBP) on July 2, but the 39-year-old has hit safely in four straight since, going 7-for-15 with four extra-base hits and seven RBI.

Cronenworth went 1-for-4 with a walk and a stolen base in Friday's 7-5 extra-inning loss to the Mets.

Cronenworth is 1-for-2 on the basepaths in July after just one steal (and attempt) in June. The infielder has hit safely in four of six games this month, going 7-for-19 (.368) with four extra-base hits and seven RBI. He's at a .218/.318/.365 slash line with four steals, eight home runs, 33 RBI and 36 runs scored through 86 contests, but he's showing some life at the plate.

Young is not in the starting lineup Friday versus the Yankees.

Young will take a seat as the Cubs face off with left-hander Carlos Rodon on Friday. Righty bat Trey Mancini will replace him at first base and bat sixth in the series opener with New York.

Freeman went 3-for-4 with a home run, a double, a stolen base, three RBI and two runs scored in Thursday's 5-2 win over the Pirates.

Freeman provided an early two-run blast in the first inning and added an RBI single in the seventh. The first baseman remains hot -- he's gone 16-for-46 (.348) over his last 11 homers, though his homer Thursday was his first since June 21. Freeman has 15 long balls, 30 doubles, 12 steals, 57 RBI, 68 runs scored and a .320/.397/.542 slash line through 87 contests this year.

Alonso went 2-for-4 with a home run, three RBI and two runs scored in Thursday's 9-0 win over the Diamondbacks.

Alonso knocked in the Mets' first three runs of the game, and it was more than enough for the win. The first baseman has been a little spotty in July, going 4-for-18 (.222) with two homers and six RBI over five games to begin the month. He's up to 26 long balls, 61 RBI, 50 runs scored, three stolen bases and a .218/.311/.514 slash line through 79 contests overall. Given that a bone bruise in his wrist was expected to keep him out until the first week of July, but he came back early June 18, it's possible playing through the issue has hindered his recovery a bit. He's lost 13 points from his batting average since his return.

Hall went 1-for-4 with a solo home run in Thursday's win over the Rays.

After going homerless in his first nine MLB games this season, Hall finally got on the board with a 398-foot moonshot off Jake Diekman in the fifth frame. After missing nearly two months with a thumb injury, Hall was called back up to the big league roster July 2 and has been acting as the Phillies' starting first baseman. Since the promotion, Hall is batting 3-for-16 (.187) with the solo homer and an additional RBI.

Goldschmidt isn't in the Cardinals' lineup Thursday against Miami, Bally Sports Midwest reports.

Goldschmidt will get a rare day off Thursday after beginning July with a .261/.308/.391 slash line through 26 plate appearances. Alec Burleson will fill in at first base and bat seventh.

Smith is not in the lineup Thursday against the Reds.

Joey Meneses will start at first base and bat third versus the Reds and left-hander Brandon Williamson. Keibert Ruiz is serving as the Nationals' designated hitter while Riley Adams handles the catching duties. The left-handed-hitting Smith carries a .662 OPS through 338 total plate appearances this season.

Votto is absent from the lineup for Thursday's game versus the Nationals.

Votto has gone deep in back-to-back contests, but he'll take a seat versus left-hander MacKenzie Gore in this one. Kevin Newman is at first base and Tyler Stephenson will be the designated hitter while Luke Maile handles catching duties.

Votto went 3-for-5 with a solo home run and an additional run scored in Wednesday's win over Washington.

Votto now has homers in back-to-back games following an 0-for-18 slump over his previous six contests. Wednesday's three-hit effort was his first since June 23. Votto will look to build on his solid performance, as he's had a slow start to the year following offseason rotator cuff surgery. The veteran first-baseman is slashing .205/.340/.545 with five homers, 11 RBI and eight runs scored through his first 53 plate appearances.