MLB Player News
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Donovan Solano 1B | TEX
Giants' Donovan Solano: Gets on base four times
Solano went 2-for-3 with a pair of walks, a pair of RBI and a run scored in Sunday's 7-6 win over the Padres.
Solano got to start and lead off as he usually does against opposing southpaws. The 31-year-old infielder has been raking in a semi-regular role this month, slashing .381/.412/.587 through 19 games (67 plate appearances) in July. Joe Panik continues to see the bulk of playing time at the keystone against righties, but it wouldn't be surprising to see Solano eat into his playing time even further if the former continues to struggle at the plate (.232/.306/.313 for Panik this year).
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Christian Walker 1B | HOU
Diamondbacks' Christian Walker: Thinks injury is not serious
Walker (elbow) believes his injury is nothing more than a contusion, Nick Piecoro of the Arizona Republic reports.
On Saturday, Walker was plunked on the left forearm, which led to swelling in his elbow. "It's better, a little bit better," Walker said. "It's still pretty stiff and sore. I think if it keeps progressing, I should be good to go tomorrow." He sat out Sunday's game and is hopeful that once the inflammation goes down, he'll be ready to play.
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Josh Bell DH | MIN
Pirates' Josh Bell: Sunday's absence not due to injury
Bell's absence from Sunday's game was not related to the apparent left hand/wrist injury he suffered Saturday, general manager Neal Huntington told 93.7 The Fan in Pittsburgh.
Bell remained in Saturday's game following the collision with baserunner Steven Matz after Matz swung at a third strike in the dirt. The pitcher hustled up the first base line and Bell leaped to catch the throw from catcher Jacob Stallings. When he applied the tag to Matz, Bell dropped his glove and clenched his left hand in pain. Fortunately, the first baseman was healthy enough to appear in the on-deck circle Sunday before Adam Frazier made the final out. Bell is slashing .216/.324/.462 in his last 204 plate appearances since the end of May.
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Rhys Hoskins 1B | CLE
Phillies' Rhys Hoskins: Launches 22nd homer
Hoskins went 1-for-4 with a two-run home run Sunday against the Braves.
Hoskins tacked on a pair of insurance runs in the seventh inning, clubbing a two-run homer to extend his team's lead to four. The 26-year-old has now hit safely in five of his last six contests, registering three extra-base hits and five RBI during that stretch. He's now slashing .260/.397/.520 with 22 home runs and 66 RBI over 104 games this season.
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Christian Walker 1B | HOU
Diamondbacks' Christian Walker: Left elbow swelling
Walker was hit twice by pitches Saturday and still has some swelling on his left elbow as a result, leading to him being out of the lineup Sunday, Joe Frisaro of MLB.com reports.
The second plunking was by a 98.6 mph fastball from Tayron Guerrero, which briefly led to the benches clearing in the game. X-rays on the elbow were negative, and Walker is day-to-day.
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Freddie Freeman 1B | LAD
Braves' Freddie Freeman: Walks four times in romp
Freeman went 1-for-1 with a double, four walks and three runs in Saturday's 15-7 win over the Phillies.
Though he hasn't homered since July 15, Freeman still appears to be locked in at the dish. He's reached base in each of the past nine contests, producing a .949 OPS over that stretch. He'll look to keep rolling in Sunday's series finale, as he'll start at first base and occupy his usual spot in the three hole.
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Christian Walker 1B | HOU
Diamondbacks' Christian Walker: Not in Sunday's lineup
Walker is out of the lineup for Sunday's game at Miami.
Walker is mired in a 4-for-28 slump over his last nine games, so he'll head to the bench for the series finale. Jake Lamb will start at first base and bat sixth Sunday for the Diamondbacks.
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Dominic Smith 1B | ATL
Mets' Dominic Smith: Getting CT scan Monday
Smith (foot) will undergo a CT scan Monday, Anthony DiComo of MLB.com reports.
Smith was diagnosed with a stress reaction in his left foot after undergoing an MRI on Saturday and was subsequently placed on the 10-day injured list later in the day. The transaction rules Smith out for at least the next week and a half, but the 24-year-old won't have a clear timetable for a return until the results of his CT scan are known. For the duration of Smith's absence, J.D. Davis is expected to take over as the Mets' everyday left fielder.
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Josh Bell DH | MIN
Pirates' Josh Bell: Getting day off
Bell is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Mets.
Since making his first All-Star team and taking part in the Home Run Derby, Bell hasn't recaptured the strong form at the plate he showed during the first half. Over 15 games since the break, Bell has gone 9-for-49 with three extra-base hits (all doubles). Manager Clint Hurdle will hope that giving Bell the day off Sunday will allow the first baseman to hit the reset button and get back on track in Monday's series opener versus the Reds.
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Paul Goldschmidt 1B | NYY
Cardinals' Paul Goldschmidt: Ties franchise-record homer streak
Goldschmidt went 1-for-4 with a solo home run in Saturday's 8-2 loss to the Astros.
The first baseman has now gone deep in six straight games, tying the Cards' club record shared by Mark McGwire and Matt Carpenter. Goldschmidt will look to claim the franchise record for himself in Sunday's series finale -- while facing Wade Miley, who made his big-league debut for Arizona alongside Goldschmidt back in 2011.