MLB Player News

Flores was removed from Wednesday's game against the Rockies with a knee contusion, Kerry Crowley of The San Jose Mercury News reports.

The 29-year-old worked a walk during the ninth inning and was replaced by pinch runner Mauricio Dubon. The severity of the injury remains unclear, but Flores will have Thursday's scheduled off day to aid in his recovery before Friday's series opener versus San Diego.

Raley was optioned to the Dodgers' taxi squad following Tuesday's doubleheader with the Cubs, Eric Stephen of SBNation.com reports.

Designated as the Dodgers' 27th man for the twin bill, Raley went unused in both contests. He'll likely stick with the Dodgers for the remaining four games of its road trip before reporting to Triple-A Oklahoma City next week.

Manager David Bell said after Wednesday's 1-0 win over the White Sox that Votto fractured his left thumb during the game, Bobby Nightengale of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports. He's expected to be sidelined for around a month with the injury.

Bell noted that Votto won't need surgery on his thumb, but the injury is still a major blow for the Reds. The veteran first baseman enjoyed a resurgent start to the campaign with a .779 OPS through his first 15 contests, but he had fallen into a slump over his subsequent 13 games (.666 OPS, 30.8 percent strikeout rate) before fracturing the thumb when he was hit by a pitch in a fourth-inning plate appearance Wednesday. Given his downward-trending production in addition to the fact that he'll now be sidelined for multiple weeks, Votto looks like a reasonable drop in shallower mixed leagues.

Rizzo isn't starting Wednesday's game against the Dodgers.

Rizzo will be on the bench for the first time this season after he went 3-for-13 with a home run, a triple, two runs, two RBI and three strikeouts in the last three games. Kris Bryant will shift to first base while Matt Duffy starts at third.

Bell isn't starting Wednesday's game against Atlanta.

Bell will retreat to the bench with southpaw Max Fried on the mound for Atlanta. Ryan Zimmerman will start at first base and bat third.

Smith isn't starting the first game of Wednesday's doubleheader against the Cardinals, Anthony DiComo of MLB.com reports.

Smith will take a seat with southpaw Kwang Hyun Kim starting Wednesday's matinee. Kevin Pillar will start in left field and bat fourth.

Cooper is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Diamondbacks, Christina De Nicola of MLB.com reports.

Cooper picked up eight straight starts -- including seven in right field -- from April 23 through Sunday, but he's been on the bench for both of the Marlins' first two games of their series with Arizona. Though manager Don Mattingly had previously been able to fit Cooper into the outfield by shifting Adam Duvall over to center field, Lewis Brinson has instead emerged as the primary option in center of late. Duvall and Corey Dickerson look poised to serve as the Marlins' main corner outfielders against right-handed pitching, so Cooper may be stuck in a short-side platoon role for the time being.

Votto exited Wednesday's game against the White Sox due to a left thumb injury, Charlie Goldsmith of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

Votto was hit by a pitch in the bottom of the fourth inning, and he appeared to be favoring his thumb afterward until he was replaced by Kyle Farmer at first base to begin the sixth inning. The Reds have a scheduled day off Thursday, but it's not yet clear whether Votto will be back in the lineup for Friday's series opener in Cleveland.

Cron isn't starting Wednesday's game against the Giants.

Cron will get a breather after he went 2-for-3 with a home run, two RBI, a walk and a strikeout in the second game of Tuesday's doubleheader. Matt Adams will start at first base and bat sixth.

Walker went 1-for-5 with an RBI and a run scored in Tuesday's 9-3 loss to the Marlins.

Walker came off the injured list Tuesday and slotted in at the three-hole in the order while playing first base. This was his first game since April 11.