MLB Player News

Rizzo is not in the lineup for Sunday's series finale against the Padres, Carrie Muskat of MLB.com reports.

Rizzo is 6-for-12 with two home runs against the Padres this series and has a .377/.467/.675 slash line over his last 20 games, but he will head to the bench for the first time since July 10. Victor Caratini will start at first base and bat seventh Sunday for the Cubs.

Rizzo went 2-for-5 with a two-run homer in a win over the Padres on Saturday.

Rizzo went deep against his former team for the second time in as many days, and he now has five home runs over his last nine games. He's enjoyed leading off since the middle of July, as he's gotten his average up to a respectable .264 after a sluggish start to the season.

Rizzo went 3-for-4 with a solo home run in Friday's win over the Padres.

While he's not a prototypical leadoff hitter, Rizzo has enjoyed his time atop the order. The 28-year-old has exclusively hit first since July 13, and in that time he's batting .375 with four home runs and 12 RBI. Rizzo may be more ideally suited for a spot in the middle of the lineup, but it's hard to see the Cubs messing with a good thing at the moment.

Cabrera is not in the lineup Friday against the Marlins.

Cabrera had started all five games since arriving in Philadelphia but will take a seat Friday, with Scott Kingery starting at shortstop. The Phillies are likely to continue to rotate their hitters, leaving Cabrera in a slightly less than everyday role.

Flores is not in the lineup Friday against the Braves.

Flores is hitting .294 with a .904 OPS over his last 10 games. Jose Bautista will get the start at first base in his place.

Hoskins went 2-for-3 with a walk and a solo homer in Thursday's victory over the Marlins.

The homer, Hoskins' 22nd of the year, came in the sixth inning off Pablo Lopez. The left fielder has been on a tear lately, grabbing a hit in all but one of his last 12 games. He's hit .367/.456/.980 with eight home runs over that stretch.

Director of sports medicine Todd Tomczyk said Bell (oblique) continues to improve even though he isn't eligible to come off the disabled list until Tuesday, the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review reports.

While Tomczyk wouldn't confirm a Tuesday return for Bell, it looks like the first baseman dodged a more serious and lengthy injury. Although he's hit a disappointing six homers, the 25-year-old has lifted his OPS 53 points (.698 to .749) since June 23.

Flores (illness) will man first base and bat third against the Nationals on Wednesday, Anthony DiComo of MLB.com reports.

Flores will not miss any additional time after leaving Tuesday's game due to dizziness and dehydration in the first inning. Over 24 games in July, he hit .276 with a .764 OPS and eight RBI.

Flores left Tuesday's game against the Nationals due to dizziness and dehydration, Anthony DiComo of MLB.com reports.

Flores hit a double in the top of the first inning but exited part-way through the bottom half of the inning due to the issues. The 26-year-old should be considered day-to-day for the time being.

Bour is not in the lineup Tuesday against the Braves, Clark Spencer of the Miami Herald reports.

Bour will sit against left-handed rookie Kolby Allard. Miguel Rojas will slide over to first base in his absence, with JT Riddle starting at shortstop.