MLB Player News

Cooper (back) will begin a rehab assignment with Triple-A Jacksonville on Wednesday, Christina De Nicola of MLB.com reports.

Cooper has been sidelined since June 9 due to a lumbar strain, but he began hitting off a tee Friday and will now return to game action. It's not yet clear how many rehab games the 30-year-old could require, but his time with Triple-A Jacksonville will likely be the final step in his recovery process. Cooper served as a short-side platoon option prior to his absence, but he could see a slight uptick in at-bats once he's cleared to return since Corey Dickerson (foot) is on the injured list.

Cooper (back) is expected to head out on a minor-league rehab assignment later this week, Christina De Nicola of MLB.com reports.

The Marlins will presumably have Cooper head to Triple-A Jacksonville for the weekend to regain his timing at the plate after he was placed on the injured list June 9 with a lumbar strain. Before getting hurt, Cooper had been serving as a short-side platoon option at first base or in the corner outfield, but he could have a clearer path to regular at-bats once he returns from the IL. Corey Dickerson has since been placed on the IL with a foot injury that will likely keep him on the shelf until after the All-Star break, leaving Jesus Sanchez as the top option in left field for the time being.

Flores isn't in Wednesday's lineup against the Angels due to hamstring tightness, Alex Pavlovic of NBC Sports Bay Area reports.

Flores had hit three home runs across the last two games, but he was removed from Tuesday's win over the Angels early. Manager Gabe Kapler revealed that the 29-year-old's removal was due to a hamstring issue. While Kapler said that Flores could likely play, he'll be held out ahead of Thursday's scheduled off day as a precautionary measure. He should be considered day-to-day for now, but the Giants are hopeful that he'll be able to return for Friday's series opener against the Athletics.

Hiura was recalled by the Brewers on Wednesday.

Hiura spent just over two weeks with Triple-A Nashville, but he'll return to the big-league club and should serve as the primary first baseman after Daniel Vogelbach suffered a "significant" hamstring strain and was placed on the 10-day injured list. The 24-year-old brought his strikeout rate down to 25.5 percent in his most recent minor-league stint, and he'll attempt to translate his Triple-A success to production at the top level. Hiura will bat sixth and play first base against Arizona on Wednesday.

The Brewers recalled Hiura from Triple-A Nashville on Wednesday.

Hiura mostly served as a short-side platoon player at first base in his last stint with the big club that ran from late May through early June, going 2-for-29 with 16 strikeouts before he was sent back to the minors. The 24-year-old has resumed raking since returning to Nashville (1.065 OPS, 25.5 percent strikeout rate in 11 games), and the Brewers could envision Hiura taking on a full-time role as he returns to Milwaukee as a replacement for his former platoon mate, Daniel Vogelbach (hamstring), who was placed on the 10-day injured list in a corresponding move. Hiura will join the lineup for Wednesday's series finale in Arizona, batting sixth versus Diamondbacks southpaw Caleb Smith.

Hiura is expected to be called up by the Brewers in the near future, Robert Murray of FanSided.com reports.

Hiura was sent down by the Brewers on June 7, and manager Craig Counsell said that he expected the infielder to have a lengthy stint at Triple-A Nashville. However, he performed well in 11 minor-league games, slashing .375/.490/.575 with two home runs, two doubles, seven RBI and six runs while posting a 25.5 percent strikeout rate and 17.6 percent walk rate. While the 24-year-old has struggled in the big leagues this season, he should see ample playing time with Daniel Vogelbach (hamstring) sidelined.

Flores isn't starting Wednesday's game against the Angels, Alex Pavlovic of NBC Sports Bay Area reports.

Flores is in the midst of a 10-game hitting streak, and he's homered three times across the last two contests. However, he'll get a breather for Wednesday's series finale while Mauricio Dubon starts at third base and Alex Dickerson serves as the designated hitter.

Cronenworth went 1-for-4 with a two-run home run in Tuesday's win over the Dodgers.

Cronenworth socked his 10th long ball of the season in the first inning off Clayton Kershaw, and now he has gone deep in back-to-back games, and in three of his last four contests. Those power numbers might not be sustainable going forward, but there's no question Cronenworth is seeing the ball wall of late. Tuesday's homer also extended his hitting streak to eight games.

Flores went 1-for-4 with a two-run home run in Tuesday's 5-0 win over the Angels.

Flores culminated a big first inning for the Giants with a two-run shot to center field. The long ball was his seventh this season and accounted for his 24th RBI. It also extended his hitting streak to 10 games, during which he is batting .419 (13-for-31) with four homers and eight RBI.

Cron went 1-for-3 with a home run and a walk in Tuesday's loss against the Mariners.

Cron's solo shot in the seventh inning off Chris Flexen was all the offense the Rockies could muster in this game, but the slugging first baseman has been excellent at the plate of late. He has homered in back-to-back games for the second time this month and has gone yard in five of his last eight contests while hitting safely in all but one of those contests. He's hitting .266 this month across 60 at-bats.