MLB Player News

Rizzo (back) is not in the lineup Thursday against the Reds.

Rizzo will remain sidelined for a fourth straight game as he continues to deal with a tight back. According to Mark Gonzales of the Chicago Tribune, the first baseman was taking swings off a tee before Thursday's game, and he could be cleared to rejoin the lineup for Friday's series opener against the Nationals if he checks out OK. Victor Caratini is starting at first base in this one.

Smith will start at first base and bat second Thursday against the Nationals.

Smith has only made two plate appearances since his May 9 callup from Triple-A Syracuse, but he made the most of the latter one with a pinch-hit solo home run in Tuesday's win. He'll now be rewarded with a start and a prominent spot in the lineup in the series finale while rookie Pete Alonso sits. Despite Alonso's struggles at the plate in recent weeks, Smith appears to have little chance of unseating him as the team's everyday first baseman.

Alonso is out of the lineup for Thursday's game against the Nationals.

Alonso has been struggling at the plate for most of May, batting just .196 with three home runs in 12 games while striking out 30 percent of the time. The rookie is in little danger of losing his starting role at this point, but he could be subject to more days off in the weeks to come as the Mets look to find room in the lineup for Dominic Smith, who has impressed in his limited action to date. Smith will substitute in for Alonso on Thursday and serve as the Mets' No. 2 hitter.

Bell went 2-for-4 with a double in an 11-1 loss to the Diamondbacks on Wednesday.

The 26-year-old extending his hitting streak to 15 games was about the only positive for the Pirates in the lopsided loss. During the hitting streak, Bell is batting .426 (26-for-61) with 14 extra-base hits and 21 RBI. He's slashing .333/.404/.693 with 12 home runs, 39 RBI and 27 runs in 150 at-bats this season.

Rizzo (back) is not in the lineup Wednesday against the Reds.

This comes as no surprise, as Rizzo, who has been sidelined since Sunday with back tightness, said earlier Wednesday that he'll most likely return Thursday or over the weekend. Kris Bryant is covering first base in his place.

Flores is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Pirates.

Ketel Marte's ability to play both second base and center field has left Flores and Jarrod Dyson to contend for one spot in Arizona's everyday lineup throughout the season. The playing-time distribution has mildly favored Flores thus far, but he'll head to the bench for the second time in the series after an 0-for-4 showing in Tuesday's 6-2 loss.

Rizzo (back) said he'll most likely rejoin the lineup Thursday against the Reds or over the weekend against the Nationals, Jesse Rogers of ESPN.com reports.

Rizzo didn't rule out a return to the lineup Wednesday, though he suggested it was unlikely. The first baseman has been sidelined since Sunday due to back tightness, but it doesn't sound like the issue will force him to spend time on the IL.

Bell went 2-for-4 with a pair of homers, four RBI and a walk in a 6-2 victory against the Diamondbacks on Tuesday.

It's still early, but Bell is in the National League MVP conversation right now. With this pair of homers -- one of which was another massive shot more than 450 feet -- he has already matched his 12 home runs from last season in just 167 plate appearances. Bell is also currently on a 14-game hitting streak, during which he's hit .421 with 13 extra-base hits. Overall, Bell is batting .329 with a .692 slugging percentage, 12 home runs, 39 RBI and 27 runs in 146 at-bats.

Votto was responsible for the Reds' only run in Tuesday's loss to the Cubs, hitting a solo homer against Kyle Hendricks.

The homer was Votto's fourth of the season, and he's still hitting a mere .207/.323/.357 during the campaign. He entered the game with an average exit velocity of 87.8 mph, which is right around his average in the Statcast Era. But he's striking out at a far greater pace than he has in previous seasons.

Hiura went 2-for-3 with a walk Tuesday against the Phillies.

Hiura collected his first major-league hit in the second inning, hitting a line drive that deflected off pitcher Jerad Eickhoff. He also found his way on base twice in the remainder of the game, drawing a free pass in the fourth inning and singling to left field in the eighth. He's off to a good start with the big-league club after managing a .333/.408/.698 line in 37 games at Triple-A San Antonio.