MLB Player News

Rizzo could be held out of the final four games of the regular season due to his right ankle sprain, Jesse Rogers of ESPN.com reports.

Rizzo exited Wednesday's game following the third inning and may not return for the final four games of the season with the Cubs now eliminated from playoff contention. The 30-year-old suffered a moderate right ankle sprain Aug. 15 but ended up missing only three games as he decided to fight through the issue for the stretch run. Rizzo is 8-for-20 with one home run and one double in the six games since rejoining the lineup, but it would make sense for the team to remain cautious if he's still less than 100 percent.

Hiura went 2-for-5 with a solo home run and two runs scored Thursday against the Reds.

Hiura took Tyler Mahle deep in the second inning to record his 19th home run of the season. He now has three home runs in 10 games since coming off the injured list Sept. 14, also recording at least one hit in eight of those contests. The 23-year-old continues to show plenty of promise at the plate, maintaining a .300/.365/.576 line while also chipping in nine steals across 80 games this season.

Flores went 3-for-4 with a double, a home run and four RBI Wednesday against the Cardinals.

Flores ended the game only a triple shy of the cycle. He began producing immediately, lacing a two-run double in the first frame. Five innings later, he capped a seven-run inning for the Diamondbacks by clubbing a two-run homer, his ninth of the season. Though his campaign was derailed by a foot injury that cost him two months, he's posted a strong .316/.362/.488 line across 87 contests.

Votto has abandoned choking up on the bat and has been more upright in the batter's box over the last month of the season, Mark Sheldon of MLB.com reports. He's batted .321 with three homers over the last 24 games.

This is some minor tinkering for Votto, who isn't yet ready to overhaul everything yet. "I really think I need to step away and just take as much time away from the game as possible, just kind of recharge," Votto said. "This is a taxing six months for me, personally. As a team, six straight losing seasons is very frustrating. After a while, looking across the field, you see teams playing meaningful games, it's very frustrating being the team on the other side trying to interrupt those strong finishes."

France is starting at third base and hitting seventh against the Dodgers on Wednesday.

France is getting just his third start since Sept. 13. Manny Machado heads to the bench for a breather in the second game of the series.

Bell (groin) will not return this season, Nubyjas Wilborn of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.

Bell was hoping to return before the end of the season, but the Pirates opted to play it safe and shut him down with just five games left and no chance at making the playoffs. The first baseman will be eligible for arbitration for the first time in 2020 after slashing .277/.367/.569 with career highs in doubles (37), home runs (37) and RBI (116).

Manager Mickey Callaway said Smith (foot) could be activated from the injured list Thursday, Tim Healey of Newsday reports.

Smith went through a workout on the field Wednesday, which included hitting and running the bases. If he's still feeling good Thursday, it sounds like the 24-year-old could be cleared to return for the final four games of the season. He's been sidelined since the end of July with a stress reaction in his left foot.

Smith (foot), who is not in Wednesday's lineup against the Marlins, took live batting practice prior to the game, Deesha Thosar of the New York Daily News reports.

Smith is eligible to return from the 60-day IL on Wednesday, though the Mets are waiting on results from his most recent CT scan before deciding whether to activate him. Even if the team is eliminated from the playoffs in the coming days, Smith could still see a handful of at-bats over the final week of the season, assuming he checks out OK.

Walker sits for the second straight game Wednesday against St. Louis.

Walker didn't start Tuesday's game but wound up receiving six plate appearances in the 19-inning epic, going 0-for-4 with a pair of walks. Kevin Cron gets the start at first base Wednesday.

Goldschmidt is not in the lineup Wednesday against the Diamondbacks.

The Cardinals are resting most of their starters following Tuesday's 19-inning loss, during which Goldschmidt went 2-for-8 with a solo home run. Rangel Ravelo is starting at first base and hitting third in this one.