MLB Player News

Freeman went 2-for-5 with two doubles, two RBI and a run in Thursday's 5-2 win over Washington.

With Matt Adams on the bench against Nats lefty Gio Gonzalez, Freeman played his familiar position at first base for this one after starting at third in his first two games back from a wrist injury. He smacked RBI doubles in the third and seventh innings to drive in his first runs since May 16. Freeman's picked up right where he left off before getting hurt, and now sports a .345/.455/.730 line in 178 plate appearances.

Bell went 2-for-5 with a double, a homer, two runs and three RBI Thursday in Philadelphia.

Bell's error on a third-inning pickoff attempt allowed a runner to score all the way from first, but he atoned for that mistake with a two-run homer in the very next frame. The first baseman struck again in the decisive three-run eighth, driving in the go-ahead run with a double before coming around to score himself. Bell's now slashing .229/.314/.465 with 42 runs scored and 42 RBI in 85 games.

Rizzo went 2-for-3 with two walks, two RBI, a double and a run scored in Wednesday's win over the Rays.

Rizzo recently shifted back to his more typical No. 3 spot in the lineup, and he was effective there Wednesday. While he did well as the Cubs' leadoff hitter, the slugging first baseman is probably best suited for the middle of the order.

Votto went 2-for-3 with two walks, a triple and two runs scored in Wednesday's 5-3 loss to the Rockies.

While the first baseman is on pace for career-best performances in homers (24 through 84 games) and SLG (.625), he hasn't forgotten his bread and butter either as Votto's also on track for a batting average better than .310 and an OBP better than .425 for the third straight campaign.

Bour went 2-for-4 with a walk and a solo home run in Wednesday's 9-6 win over the Cardinals.

The ninth-inning shot off Seung Hwan Oh ended a 13-game homerless drought for the first baseman. Despite the swoon, Bour still has an impressive .289/.365/.557 slash line on the year with 19 home runs and 55 RBI and is on pace for career highs in every fantasy category.

Goldschmidt went 1-for-4 with a double and run scored in Tuesday's 4-3 loss to the Dodgers.

Goldschmidt remains an early contender for the National League MVP, but he's in the midst of his worst stretch of the season. He's recorded only three hits in 24 at-bats over his last seven games, though he has drawn six walks to maintain a .300 on-base percentage during that span. The fact that Goldschmidt has shown a patient eye at the plate offers encouragement that he's resisted altering his excellent approach despite the lack of hits falling in at the moment, and it shouldn't take long before he resumes raking.

Freeman (wrist) was activated from the disabled list and is starting at third base Tuesday against the Astros.

While Freeman was originally scheduled to play in a final rehab game for Triple-A Gwinnett on Tuesday, he was apparently feeling ready to return to the Show after just a pair of minor-league tune-up games. His return should provide a massive boost for the Braves and fantasy owners alike, as Freeman was slashing an impressive .341/.461/.748 with 14 homers in 37 games before fracturing his wrist. He'll face Brad Peacock in his return to the lineup. Jace Peterson was optioned to Triple-A to clear room for him.

Bell is out of the lineup Tuesday against the Phillies.

Bell hasn't had a day off since June 20, so he was likely overdue for a maintenance day. He's also hitless in his last two games, so the day of rest will give him an opportunity to hit the reset button. John Jaso will man first base in his stead, giving the Pirates an extra lefty bat in the lineup.

Voit will bat cleanup in the order Tuesday against the Marlins.

Voit is in line for his fourth MLB start, but it will be the first time he's batted higher than the six spot in the order. Out of the seven spot Monday, the 26-year-old launched his first major-league home run en route to a four-RBI effort. The sample size is small, but Voit now owns a 1.238 OPS during his tenure with the team. The cleanup role is unlikely to be a regular thing, however, as regular four hitter Jedd Gyorko is getting the day off Tuesday.

Smith went 3-for-5 with a double, two home runs and four RBI for Triple-A Las Vegas in Monday's loss to Salt Lake.

The sweet-swinging lefty's now hit safely in 19 straight games for the 51s, pushing his slash line on the season to .325/.380/.485. Smith remains the Mets' first baseman of the future, a future which could begin as soon as 2018.