MLB Player News

Freeman finished 3-for-3, including a three-run homer, in Saturday night's 13-5 win over St. Louis.

The first baseman reached base safely in all five plate appearances, including a pair of walks, but perhaps most importantly, he didn't strikeout a single time after recording 11 strikeouts in his past four games. Despite a 26.6 strikeout percentage, Freeman surpassed his home run total from 2015 with a towering 448 foot shot to center in the third inning -- his 19th of the season, putting him on pace to reach a career-high 30 home runs.

Joseph is not in the lineup Saturday against the Padres, Jim Salisbury of CSNPhilly.com reports.

With righty Paul Clemens on the mound for San Diego, the Phillies will opt to go with lefty Ryan Howard at first base and give Joseph the night off. While Joseph's batting average has held steady at .250 over the last 16 games, the rookie slugger has increased his season OBP nearly 30 points due to the eight walks he's tallied during that time.

Bour (ankle) is not expected to rejoin the team until the completion of their road trip, Clark Spencer of the Miami Herald reports.

That would make Monday's series opener against the Giants the earliest return date for Bour. In five rehab games with Triple-A New Orleans he has gone just 2-for-18 to go along with one walk.

Bour (ankle) is not expected to return Friday, Clark Spencer of the Miami Herald reports.

He's not in the lineup for Friday's matchup against lefty Jorge De La Rosa, and he's not listed on the lineup card as a reserve, so it seems the Marlins will wait at least one more day to activate Bour from the DL. Bour has played in five rehab games with Triple-A New Orleans, going 2-for-18 (both singles) with a walk.

Flores is not in the lineup for Friday's game against the Tigers.

Flores homered earlier in the week, his 11th on the year, but he's done most of his damage against lefties. The 24-year-old has struggled against right-handers to the tune of a .209/.274/.331 line, and he committed an error at shortstop Wednesday (his second start there this season). It seems Flores may be deployed primarily on the short end of a third-base platoon with Kelly Johnson for the time being -- at least that's the way things are trending.

Flores is not in the lineup for Thursday's matchup with the Yankees, Anthony DiComo of MLB.com reports.

Flores will get a night off as Kelly Johnson replaces him at third, batting eighth. Flores had made nine consecutive starts coming into Thursday, going 9-for-35 (.257) with four runs and two RBI during that time.

Howard went 3-for-4 with a solo shot, his 15th of the year, in Wednesday's game against the Giants.

The veteran hit .250 (10-for-40) in July, his best average for any month so far this season. Howard's seeing limited playing time, but he's managed to put something in the stat sheet when he does get a start. If anything, he's moved up in the fantasy ranks to be a punt-play candidate in daily leagues.

Joseph is not in the Phillies starting lineup on Wednesday.

Joseph will give way to Ryan Howard, who will start at first base on Wednesday. Over his last 10 games, Joseph is hitting .257 in 35 at-bats. The 25-year-old has shown the ability to hit for power in his short time in the majors this season (14 in 202 at-bats), proving that he can be the long-term solution at first base in Philadelphia.

Smith, 21, is slashing .282/.343/.439 with 12 home runs and 73 RBI through 101 games for Double-A Binghamton.

Smith has doubled his previous career high in home runs while also maintaining a solid average. The Mets would like to see even more power along with a few more walks, though Smith does not strike out a ton and does make consistent contact. Depending on the health of Lucas Duda, Smith could make a play for the starting first base job as early as 2017.

Votto was phenomenal Tuesday, going 4-for-4 with a double, a walk, two runs scored and an RBI in a 7-5 come-from-behind victory over the Cardinals.

While his four hits earned him just a one RBI, Votto continues to improve as the season goes on. After hitting below .230 in April and May, Votto hit .319 in June and .413 in July, and has now begun August batting 1.000. Votto is especially lethal in leagues that reward walks or on-base-percentage, as the big night vaulted him into the NL lead in OBP at .425.