MLB Player News

Votto went 2-for-4 and hit his 23rd home run of the season Saturday against the Pirates.

Votto took Pittsburgh reliever Nick Mears deep for a solo homer in the eighth inning to round out the scoring at 11-3. He also picked up an RBI on a sacrifice fly back in the third. Votto has cooled off from the torrid pace he set during the back half of July, hitting just .222 over his past seven games, but he's still gone yard three times during that stretch.

Freeman left Saturday's game against the Nationals due to an upper respiratory infection.

There's been no indication that Freeman has tested positive for COVID-19, an illness he battled prior to his MVP campaign last year. Health and safety protocols remain tight due to the pandemic, however, so Atlanta will have to treat Freeman's illness with caution. Ehire Adrianza entered the game in his place, playing third base and pushing Austin Riley over to first, which could be the team's default alignment if Freeman is forced to miss time.

Smith isn't starting Saturday against the Phillies, Mike Puma of the New York Post reports.

Smith will get a day off as the Mets elect to stack their lineup with right-handed hitters against lefty Ranger Suarez. Kevin Pillar will take over in left field and bat eighth.

Hoskins (groin) isn't starting Saturday against the Mets.

Hoskins has been dealing with groin soreness recently, and he'll remain out of the lineup for a second consecutive game. Whether he's available off the bench remains to be seen, but Brad Miller will start at first base and bat fifth.

Cron went 2-for-3 with two homers, four RBI, four runs scored and a walk in Friday's 14-2 victory over Miami.

Cron opened the game's scoring with his solo blast in the second inning. He was hit by a pitch, scored a run and launched a three-run shot all in the fourth inning, ending Sandy Alcantara's night. The veteran slugger is up to 16 homers and 50 RBI with an .827 OPS this season. The homers were Cron's first since July 20, though he does have six hits over his last three contests.

Freeman went 3-for-4 with a walk, two RBI and two runs scored in Friday's 8-4 win over Atlanta.

The first baseman has already posted three multi-hit efforts in five August games as he remains locked in at the plate. All three of Freeman's hits Friday were singles, including one in the eighth inning that knocked in a pair of insurance runs. He's slashing a strong .295/.396/.505 with 24 home runs, 63 RBI, 81 runs scored and six stolen bases through 482 plate appearances this year.

Manager Joe Girardi said that Hoskins is out of the starting lineup Friday against the Mets because he is once again dealing with groin soreness, Alex Pavlovic of NBC Sports Bay Area reports.

Hoskins missed four games with the groin issue before returning to the lineup Tuesday, and he didn't appear to be hampered by injury, going 5-for-13 with a homer and five RBI across the last three games. Girardi said the club is trying to have him available to pinch hit Friday, but it is yet to be seen if that will be the case. The first baseman can be considered day-to-day until further update is provided.

Hoskins is not in the starting lineup Friday against the Mets.

Hoskins missed four consecutive games due to a groin injury before returning to the lineup Tuesday. He'll retreat back to the bench Friday in what appears to be just a normal day off at this point.

Votto went 1-for-4 with a three-run home run in Thursday's 7-4 win over the Pirates.

Votto slammed a three-run homer in the second inning off Wil Crowe, extending the early lead to seven runs. He has reached base safely in 27 of his last 28 games. During that stretch, he is batting .320 with 12 home runs and 30 RBI. On the season, the 37-year-old is slashing .273/.367/.556 with 22 long balls, 64 RBI and 42 runs in 330 plate appearances.

Bell went 3-for-5 with a three-run home run in Thursday's loss to Philadelphia.

Bell hammered an Aaron Nola offering over the center-field wall to give the Nationals a 5-2 lead in the fifth inning. It was the 19th homer of the year for Bell, who also produced a pair of singles, and his seventh long ball since the All-Star break. The 28-year-old Bell is slashing .251/.310/.480 with 60 RBI in 348 plate appearances this season.