MLB Player News

Hoskins (ankle) will start at first base and bat cleanup Wednesday against the Mets.

While Hoskins was sitting out Tuesday with a minor left ankle sprain, the Phillies offense didn't miss a beat, finishing the night with a season-high 14 runs on 13 hits and three walks. Despite that successful showing, the Phillies will gladly welcome back the slugger into the lineup after the ankle issue apparently provided no significant complications for him in the field or while running the bases during his pregame workout.

Walker went 3-for-4 with a walk, a home run, two runs scored and two RBI in Tuesday's 9-6 win over Atlanta.

The 28-year-old led off the ninth inning with a solo shot off A.J. Minter, breaking a 6-6 tie and sending Arizona to its eighth win of the year. Walker is now slashing .294/.368/.667 through 16 games with five homers, nine RBI and 10 runs, including six hits and two long balls in the last two games. He's already showing signs of being streaky, going 0-for-10 with seven whiffs in the four games prior to those home runs, but with Jake Lamb (quad) sidelined, the starting first base job is Walker's for the taking.

Votto is batting leadoff in Tuesday's game against the Dodgers and Kenta Maeda, Bobby Nightengale of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

Votto has batted leadoff only one other time in his career, which is pretty weird when you think about his career-long strong on-base skills. He's off to a slow start this season, hitting .240/.333/.400 in 57 plate appearances.

Hoskins is battling a left ankle sprain but could be available to pinch hit Tuesday night, Matt Breen of The Philadelphia Inquirer reports.

Hoskins is reportedly dealing with a minor left ankle sprain, per Meghan Montemurro of The Athletic, although he fully expects to return to the starting lineup in time for Wednesday's clash. It's possible he's called upon to pinch hit at some point Tuesday night. His availability will likely hinge on how the ankle is feeling before the game.

Hoskins is not in the starting lineup for Tuesday's game against the Mets.

Hoskins will get a breather after taking the collar (0-for-5) in Monday's series opener. In his absence, Maikel Franco moves over to first base, allowing for Scott Kingery to start at the hot corner.

Goldschmidt went 2-for-3 with an RBI single, a solo home run, two walks and two total runs scored in a loss to the Brewers on Monday.

The performance was a prototypical one for Goldschmidt, one that showed off his timely hitting, power and plate discipline. Unfortunately, it was the type that hasn't been overly common for him yet this season, as even the stellar showing versus Milwaukee only served to raise his average to .226. Things are looking up, however, as Goldschmidt is now 5-for-12 with a double and Monday's homer over the last three games.

Cooper (calf) took batting practice on the field Monday, Joe Frisaro of MLB.com reports.

Cooper has been on the shelf all month after suffering a left calf strain during the Marlins' season-opening series. While he remains without a concrete return date, the 28-year-old is finally starting to make tangible progress in his recovery, as he also started a running progression Monday.

Votto is out of the lineup for Monday's game against the Dodgers.

Votto will receive his second day off of the season after previously resting April 7 against the Pirates. Over his five starts since that time, Votto has gone 5-for-18 with four runs and an RBI. Kyle Farmer will swap in for Votto at first base as the Reds look to get another right-handed bat in the lineup to counter Dodgers southpaw Clayton Kershaw.

Bell went 2-for-3 with a pair of doubles, one walk and two RBI against Washington on Sunday.

He's lifted his batting average to .314 and looks more like the promising rookie from 2017 than the disappointing hitter from last season. Bell has nine extra-base hits in 14 games, including three homers: He didn't collect his ninth extra-base hit until his 35th game in 2018. Pittsburgh's offense has struggled to score runs, but not because of Bell. As a result, it wouldn't be surprising to see opponents begin to pitch around the 26-year-old in the coming games.

Walker went 3-for-4 with a solo home run and a double in Sunday's 8-4 win over San Diego.

After two homers in his first two games, Walker was just 5-for-36 in April prior to Sunday's breakout game. He owns a .923 OPS in 52 plate appearances after posting just a .614 OPS in 53 plate appearances last season.