MLB Player News

Flores went 3-for-4 with a double Saturday against the Rays.

Flores recorded his second three-hit effort of the season Saturday, though he didn't get any runs or RBI. While not spectacular, he has quietly hit well since coming off the disabled list June 15, recording at least one hit in all but two of his starts. He also has four home runs, 14 RBI and eight runs scored in that span.

Freeman went 3-for-4 with a double, a triple, an RBI and two runs scored Saturday against the Brewers.

Freeman recorded his first three-hit game since June 5, though he is still hitting .310 for the season. He has also quietly been struggling to hit for power, as he has only four extra-base hits since June 22. Despite those recent struggles, it's hard to complain about anything Freeman has done this season as he ranks in the top 10 in the National League in batting average, home runs, RBI, runs scored, walks and slugging percentage.

Cooper went 2-for-3 with a walk in Friday's loss to the Nationals.

Getting the start in left field against southpaw Gio Gonzalez and hitting sixth, Cooper made an immediate impact in his return from a wrist injury that had sidelined him since April 1. The 27-year-old will likely settle in on the short side of a left-field platoon with Derek Dietrich, while also filling in for Justin Bour at first base on occasion, and he could be a useful addition to NL-only and deep fantasy league rosters for the second half.

Hoskins went 3-for-5 with a double, two RBI, two walks and three runs scored in Friday's win over Pittsburgh.

Hoskins added insurance runs in both the seventh and ninth innings on the way to a huge 17-5 victory. He sits with 21 doubles and 14 homers on the season, but he hasn't shown consistent power, as he's slugging just .489.

Hiura (thumb sprain) is expected to return to the lineup for Double-A Biloxi on Friday, Todd Rosiak of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reports.

The injury has sidelined him since June 29. He has a .322/.381/.523 slash line with nine home runs and 10 steals in 298 at-bats between High-A and Double-A this year and is a borderline top-10 prospect for fantasy purposes.

Cooper (wrist) was activated from the 10-day disabled list prior to Friday's game, Joe Frisaro of MLB.com reports.

Cooper will immediately rejoin the starting lineup, manning left field and hitting sixth in the order. The outfielder hasn't played in a big-league contest since April 1 due to a right wrist contusion. Expect him to see some time at both corner-outfield positions as well as first base behind Justin Bour.

Bour went 2-for-4 with a home run and three RBI in Thursday's 14-12 loss to the Nationals.

He slugged a two-run shot off Jeremy Hellickson to give the Marlins a nine-run lead in the fourth inning that they would somehow squander. Bour is up to 14 home runs through 348 plate appearances and Thursday's long ball was his first since June 25.

Freeman (triceps) will start at first base and bat third in Thursday's tilt against Milwaukee, David O'Brien of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports.

As expected, Freeman will play in the series opener after getting hit by a pitch on his triceps Wednesday. The 28-year-old first baseman will look to build on his stellar numbers at the plate, as he's batting .308 with 16 home runs and 56 RBI through 85 games in 2018.

Bell is out of the lineup Wednesday against the Dodgers.

Bell will be stationed on the bench for the second time in the three-game series while the Dodgers bring a lefty (Rich Hill) for the third straight day. David Freese will once again cover first base in place of Bell, who is a career .250/.328/.417 hitter against southpaws.

The Reds optioned Dixon to Triple-A Louisville on Wednesday.

Dixon was dropped from the 25-man roster with the Reds in need of extra bullpen help after seven relievers were used in Tuesday's 12-inning loss to the White Sox. During his six-week stint in the big leagues, Dixon saw action in 29 games and slashed .219/.265/.344 in 34 plate appearances. It shouldn't be long before he's summoned back to the big club.