MLB Player News

Bell went 1-for-4 with a home run in Saturday's loss to the Phillies.

Bell socked a solo shot in the eighth inning off reliever Jose Alvarado, but that would be everything he'd do in a game where the Nationals struggled badly on offense. The slugging first baseman has gone deep eight times this season and has hit safely in four of his last six games, a span in which he has notched two of his eight long balls.

Freeman went 2-for-3 with an RBI single, a walk, a stolen base and a run scored in Saturday's 6-4 win over the Dodgers.

Saturday was his first multi-hit performance since May 25. Freeman contributed to the offense with an RBI single in the third inning. In the seventh, he walked and worked the back of a double-steal with Ronald Acuna. Freeman has slashed an unimpressive .233/.360/.455 across 242 plate appearances this year. He's done better in the counting stats with 13 home runs, 31 RBI, 37 runs scored and three stolen bases.

Manager Don Mattingly said that Cooper didn't play in Saturday's loss to the Pirates due to back stiffness, Craig Mish of SportsGrid.com reports.

Mattingly didn't go into depth on the extent of back issue, but at this point it doesn't appear to be a major issue that could sideline Cooper for an extended period. It's unknown at this point if first baseman will be available Sunday and for the time being he can be considered day-to-day.

Flores (hamstring) will sit for the second straight game Saturday against the Cubs, Mark W. Sanchez of KNBR 680 San Francisco reports.

Flores left Thursday's game with a tight hamstring and didn't start Friday's contest, though he did appear off the bench. That suggests he's likely available off the bench Saturday as well, but it remains to be seen when he'll return to the lineup.

Solano isn't starting Saturday's game against the Cubs, Mark W. Sanchez of KNBR 680 San Francisco reports.

Solano has recorded hits in each of his last three games, and he went 4-for-11 with two RBI, a run and a strikeout during that time. Jason Vosler will start at second base and bat seventh.

Hiura isn't starting Saturday's game against the Diamondbacks.

Hiura will be out of the lineup for a third straight game with right-hander Merrill Kelly starting Saturday. Daniel Vogelbach will start at first base.

Walker is not in the lineup for Saturday's game against the Brewers.

Walker returned from an oblique injury last Saturday. He's since been in the lineup against all three lefties the Diamondbacks have faced but has started against just two out of five righties, including Saturday's starter Brandon Woodruff. Pavin Smith will be the first baseman in his absence.

Blandino won't require surgery to repair his broken right hand, Charlie Goldsmith of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

Blandino was placed on the 10-day injured list Saturday after he was hit on the right hand by a pitch in Friday's contest. Manager David Bell said that the infielder could miss 3-6 weeks, but it's encouraging that he won't need surgery.

Wade went 1-for-5 with a solo home run in Friday's 8-5 win over the Cubs.

Wade added some insurance for San Francisco with his fourth-inning solo shot. He's homered twice in his last four games, and he's seeing fairly consistent playing time at first base with Brandon Belt (oblique) sidelined. Wade is slashing .267/.371/.500 with two homers, three RBI, five runs scored and a stolen base in 35 plate appearances.

Blandino was placed on the 10-day injured list with a broken right hand Saturday.

Blandino was hit by a pitch on his right hand in Friday's game against the Cardinals, and he'll now be sidelined after he was diagnosed with a broken hand. Mike Freeman could see a slight uptick in playing time while the 28-year-old is sidelined. Right-hander Ashton Goudeau was recalled from Triple-A Louisville in a corresponding move.