MLB Player News

Bell entered Tuesday's game as a pinch hitter and went 0-for-2 against Milwaukee.

Pittsburgh continues to limit the switch hitter's time against left-handed pitching -- he didn't start against Tuesday southpaw Brent Suter. After a strong summer, Bell has slumped in September, slashing .214/.283/.310 with one homer and six RBI in 42 at-bats. Look for the first baseman to return to the starting lineup Wednesday against righty Chase Anderson, against whom Bell has one hit in four at-bats.

Freeman went 3-for-5 with a double, a home run, two runs scored and three RBI in Tuesday's win over the Nationals.

He's now slashing .378/.462/.689 in September with three homers and 11 RBI in 11 games, as Freeman tries to make up for the time he lost to a wrist injury earlier in the year. Expect him to continue swinging a hot bat as he makes a push for his second consecutive 30-homer season.

Joseph will continue to see his playing time limited with Rhys Hoskins expected to play more first base now that Aaron Altherr has returned from a hamstring injury, Jim Salisbury of CSN Philadelphia reports.

Joseph was out of the starting lineup the past four games and is going to have a hard time finding at-bats over the remainder of the season. He's a near lock to be dealt to another club this winter with Hoskins set to open next year as the Phillies' regular first baseman.

Manager Pete Mackanin said Hoskins will see more time at first base now that Aaron Altherr is back from his hamstring injury, Jim Salisbury of CSN Philadelphia reports.

Hoskins has made 24 starts in left field and 11 starts at first base since his promotion from Triple-A Lehigh Valley. He's likely to get 20-plus starts at first base this year, which will give him eligibility at two positions next season in fantasy leagues.

Cabrera (ankle) is back in the lineup Tuesday against the Cubs, manning third base and batting third against lefty Jose Quintana.

Cabrera was hit by a pitch during Sunday's game, but X-rays were negative and he won't even end up missing a start as a result of the injury. While the 31-year-old has just four homers since the All-Star break, two of those have come in September, and he's batting .343/.384/.429 against left-handed pitching this season.

Bell is out of Tuesday's lineup against the Brewers.

He has started 26 of the last 27 games, hitting .268/.355/.454 with four home runs in 97 at-bats over that span. Jose Osuna will start at first base and hit fifth.

Goldschmidt went 1-for-4 with a solo home run in Sunday's win over the Padres.

This was great to see in just Goldschmidt's second game back from an elbow injury. He is now two home runs shy of matching his career high of 36 set in 2013. The Diamondbacks don't have an off-day until Sept. 21 and they could opt to give Goldschmidt a maintenance day for the elbow this week, so those in leagues that allow daily lineup changes should keep an eye out. Those in weekly formats appear safe to deploy him as normal.

Smith went 2-for-5 with a solo homer and an RBI single Sunday in the Mets' 10-5 loss to the Reds.

It was the rookie's second homer of the month and fifth since his debut, and Smith is riding a five-game hit streak. The accompanying numbers, however, aren't pretty, as he's .210/.257/.390 in his first taste of big-league action (113 plate appearances). His leash will remain long as the Mets let him adjust to a full-time big-league role he'll occupy to start next season.

X-rays on Cabrera's injured right ankle came back negative Sunday, Anthony DiComo of MLB.com reports.

Cabrera was hit by a pitch on his right ankle during Sunday's game but was fortunate to avoid a serious injury. He's simply dealing with a bruised ankle and will be a day-to-day case moving forward.

Cabrera exited Sunday's game against the Reds after being hit by a pitch on his right ankle, Anthony DiComo of MLB.com reports.

Cabrera entered the game as a pinch hitter in the sixth inning but was removed from the contest after taking a pitch off his right ankle. The veteran infielder appeared to be in pain but was able to walk off the field under his own power. We'll await word from the Mets with regard to the specifics of his injury following Sunday's contest.