MLB Player News

Rizzo was 2-for-3 with a walk and an RBI in the Cubs' win over Arizona on Friday afternoon.

Rizzo is hitting just .246 on the season, but he likes to produce when it matters and now has 39 RBI on the year. On Friday he looped a double over the center fielder's head to break up a scoreless tie and propel the Cubs to another win.

Dixon had a huge week in Double-A Pensacola, hitting .647 with five homers. He's hitting .312/.361/.560 for the season.

Dixon came over to the Reds in the three-way Todd Frazier deal, joining the team from the Dodgers' system. The former third round pick in 2013 has often struggled to make consistent contact, and that's been the case this year as well as his strikeout rate is 25.2 percent. He has doubled his walk rate from last year's Double-A stint, though it still sits at only 7.1 percent.

Flores will get the first chance to replace David Wright (herniated disc in neck) at third base.

Flores was signed as a shortstop but moved to third base as he physically matured prior to shifting to a utility role. If Flores can replicate the power he provided last season, when he blasted 16 home runs and drove in 50 runs in 137 games, it would go a long way to making up for Wright's absence and enable Flores to remain in the lineup. Ty Kelly and Matt Reynolds are also in the hot corner mix, while T.J. Rivera, who is raking at Triple-A but not on the 40-man roster, could also factor into the equation.

Carter went 1-for-3 with a home run, a walk and two strikeouts against Philadelphia on Thursday.

Carter has a lot of power in his bat, so he'll always have fantasy value, but he needs to make more contact to become more consistent threat. This was Carter's first homer since May 20, and it's no secret that he's been struggling at the plate of late. Carter has hit only .143 (6-for-42) over the past 10 games.

Freeman 1-for-4 with a home run, a walk and three strikeouts Wednesday against the Giants.

Freeman had problems to make contact all game long, but his lone hit was the most important one in the entire game, as it won the game for Atlanta in the 11th inning. Freeman has seen his numbers drop this year due to the lack of talent around him, but at the least the power remains there with nine homers in just 195 at-bats. He's hitting .251 with a .770 OPS overall.

Joseph will start the next three or four games in place of Ryan Howard, Meghan Montemurro of The News Journal reports.

With Ryan Howard struggling mightily at the plate, manager Pete Mackinin is looking for other options in order to bolster the lineup of the surprisingly competitive Phillies. If Joseph performs well during this stretch, he very well could become the new starting first baseman in Philadelphia.

Howard will not play in the next three or four games in order to give Tommy Joseph a chance according to manager Pete Mackanin, Meghan Montemurro of The News Journal reports.

It appears that Mackanin wants to get Tommy Joseph in the lineup more in order to put out the best possible lineup for the Phillies. It was reported that Howard handled the news professionally and with class, which is good for the clubhouse morale. Howard will now hit the bench and try to regroup while Joseph seems to be in a position to grab the starting first base job moving forward.

Howard is not in the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Nationals, Jim Salisbury of Comcast SportsNet Philadelphia reports.

Howard had been typically getting the starts against right-handed pitching, but the Phillies have been giving Tommy Joseph more playing time recently because of Howard's struggles at the plate. The 36-year-old is hitting just .154 and will likely continue to lose playing time should he fail to perform.

Joseph is in the lineup and batting fourth for Wednesday's game against the Nationals, Jim Salisbury of Comcast SportsNet Philadelphia reports.

Joseph is hitting .270/.275/.541 with three home runs through 13 games this season and is looking at more playing time should he continue to produce offensively.

Bour is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Pirates, Andre Fernandez of the Miami Herald reports.

With southpaw Jon Niese on the mound for Pittsburgh, the Marlins loaded up their lineup with right-handed hitters, pushing Bour to the bench in favor of Chris Johnson. Bour is hitting .248/.319/.483 with nine home runs and 26 RBI through 45 games this season and will likely return to the lineup for the series finale Friday.