MLB Player News

Rizzo was ejected for arguing balls and strikes in Wednesday's 4-1 win over the Giants, Mark Gonzales of the Chicago Tribune reports. He finished 1-for-3.

Rizzo acknowledged he expressed frustration with home plate umpire Jordan Baker over a call in the fifth inning, though he said the ejection caught him by surprise. The Cubs also came into Wednesday in the midst of a three-game losing streak, so perhaps there was some extra tension in the air as the NL Central race has tightened. Rizzo will carry a .926 OPS, 20 home runs and 69 RBI into a pivotal series that starts Friday in Milwaukee.

Hiura went 1-for-4 with a solo home run in Wednesday's 5-4 win over the Reds.

The rookie went deep to lead off the fifth inning, Hiura's 10th homer of the year. He's slashing .327/.384/.613 through his first 40 big-league games, and despite Travis Shaw's apparent resurgence in the minors, it seems unlikely Hiura will lose his grip on the starting second base job in Milwaukee.

Hoskins went 2-for-5 with two walks and an RBI in Tuesday's 3-2 win over the Tigers in 15 innings.

Hoskins turned in his second game-winning hit in as many days, with his base knock in the top of the 15th allowing Scott Kingery to score the go-ahead run. With only two long balls thus far in July, Hoskins hasn't quite lived up to expectations in the power department, but he's been a premium asset in leagues that count on-base percentage as a category. He's posted a 16:15 BB:K in 17 games this month, aiding him to a .434 OBP.

Votto went 2-for-4 with a home run, a double, two RBI and three runs Tuesday in the Reds' 14-6 win over the Brewers.

Votto's two-run home run in the sixth inning marked the first time he's left the yard since June 25. The 2010 National League MVP has now supplied two-hit efforts in four of his last five games, but the batting-average boost he provides isn't quite enough to offset his lack of home-run and RBI production. Votto will be back in the lineup Wednesday for the final game of the series, manning first base and batting second.

Goldschmidt went 1-for-4 with a two-run home run in a 4-3 victory against the Pirates on Tuesday.

Once again, Goldschmidt tormented the Pirates with a key homer during the Cardinals' comeback win. Goldschmidt smashed a grand slam in extra innings against Pittsburgh on Monday. He is only batting .248, which is 45 points below his career norm, but Goldschmidt does have 20 homers, 50 RBI and 57 runs in 367 at-bats. He is on his way to his third straight 30-homer season.

Hiura (quadriceps) is starting at second base and batting seventh Tuesday against Cincinnati.

Hiura was scratched from Monday's lineup due to quad tightness, but he was able to make a pinch-hit appearance Monday night and has been given the green light to return Tuesday. The rookie second baseman has been red hot of late, slashing .486/.537/.865 with a home run and nine RBI over his last 10 games.

Hiura (quadriceps) walked in a pinch-hitting appearance Monday in the Brewers' 6-5 loss to the Reds.

The Brewers made Hiura a late scratch from the starting nine while the rookie was battling a tight left quad, but his usage off the bench implies his injury isn't a major concern. Hiura will presumably be re-evaluated when he reports to work Tuesday before the Brewers decide whether to reinsert him back into the lineup at second base or extend him another day off.

Goldschmidt went 1-for-4 with a grand slam and a walk during a 6-5 victory against the Pirates on Monday.

The veteran first baseman smashed his grand slam to right-center in the top of the 10th, and the Cardinals needed all four of those runs, as the Pirates answered with three in the bottom of the 10th. Goldschmidt isn't experiencing a characteristic season based on his standards in his first year with the Cardinals, but he is on pace to eclipse the 30-homer mark for the third straight season. Goldschmidt is batting .248 with 19 home runs, 48 RBI, and 57 runs in 367 at-bats this season.

Hiura was scratched from Monday's lineup against the Reds due to left quadriceps tightness.

Hiura was named the National League player of the week earlier in the day, but he'll be held out Monday due to injury. He'll be considered day-to-day moving forward. Tyler Saladino draws the start at the keystone and will bat eight in Hiura's stead.

Freeman went 3-for-5 with a double and a stolen base while knocking in a run and scoring twice in Sunday's victory versus Washington.

Freeman recorded his eighth game of three or more hits this season, collecting singles in the first and third innings and a run-scoring double in the seventh. The All-Star first baseman went 7-for-18 in the four-game series against the Nationals, driving in a single run in each game of the series. He is slashing .301/.387/.567 with 25 homers and 78 RBI in 395 at-bats this season.