MLB Player News

Cabrera went 1-for-4 with a solo homer and three strikeouts Tuesday in Washington.

Cabrera is riding a .344 BABIP to a .283 average thus far, but extra-base hits like this homer have been few and far between as his .108 isolated power represents by far the shortstop's lowest mark since 2010. Add in a 19.6 percent strikeout rate that's 2.2 percent higher than his career mark, and you get a lot of signs that the 30-year-old is starting to decline.

Joseph went 1-for-3 with a RBI on Tuesday against the Tigers.

The 24-year-old hit safely for the second straight game after going 0-for-6 during the weekend. Joseph has been pretty streaky so far this season, but at least he managed to plate a run for the second straight game, so he's been finding ways to produce offense for Philadelphia.

Manager Pete Mackanin said at some point Howard's role could be reduced, but nothing is imminent, Jim Salisbury of CSN Philadelphia reports. "I'm going to look at it a week at a time," Mackanin said. "We'll see. At some point it might come to that, but I can't say it's imminent."

Howard went 0-for-4 with two strikeouts Monday, lowering his average to .156. He has just four hits in the month of May, but three of those hits were home runs. A reduction in Howard's role would lead to increased at-bats for Tommy Joseph, who is off to a solid start since his promotion from Triple-A. Howard is in the final year of his contract, so it would not be surprising to see the Phillies move him to a bench role or even release him if his struggles continue.

Joseph went 2-for-4 with a solo home run and a double in Monday's loss to the Tigers.

Joseph got the start at first base against righty Mike Pelfrey while Ryan Howard was shifted to DH. Joseph is 6-for-20 with two home runs since he was promoted from Triple-A. The Phillies remain committed to a platoon at first base, but Joseph could force them to reassess if he keeps hitting and Howard keeps struggling.

Smith is not considered a short-term option to help the Mets at first base in the wake of Lucas Duda's back injury, Adam Rubin of ESPN New York reports.

Just 20 years old, Smith is getting his first exposure to Double-A to begin the 2016 season. Thus far, he's handled the jump reasonably well, hitting .272/.308/.407 with four homers, 31 RBI, and a 9:27 BB:K in 41 games. For now, the Mets will use a committee to replace Duda, which will likely feature Wilmer Flores as a regular at first base once Flores is back from the disabled list.

Flores (hamstring), who is set to begin a rehab assignment Tuesday at Double-A Binghamton, will be the team's top priority to play first base once he returns from the disabled list following Lucas Duda's placement on the DL, ESPN New York's Adam Rubin reports.

Eric Campbell will also be in the mix, but the Mets are holding off on moving David Wright or Neil Walker to first base in the coming weeks, while manager Terry Collins also said that Dominic Smith is not considered a short-term option. The Mets called up Ty Kelly from Triple-A to replace Duda on the roster Monday, but Flores could be in position for near everyday at-bats once he's healthy.

Bour is not in the starting lineup Monday against the Rays, Joe Frisaro of MLB.com reports.

With left-hander Matt Moore taking the mound for Tampa Bay, the Marlins decided it was a good day to give Bour his first day off since May 13. Chris Johnson will slot in at first base in his stead, although Bour will likely return to the lineup Tuesday with right-hander Jake Odorizzi expected to pitch for the Rays.

Bour went 1-for-3 in Sunday's loss to the Nationals, accounting for all the Marlins' offense with a two-run homer off Max Scherzer in the seventh inning.

He's found his power stroke in May, homering in back-to-back games and launching six bombs in his last 14 games to give him nine on the season. Bour's .235 batting average (12-for-51) on the month is far from ideal, but if you need a power boost he could be available in shallower formats.

Goldschmidt went 1-for-3 with two RBI and a walk Sunday at the Cardinals.

Goldschmidt drove in both of his runs after the Diamondbacks had a comfortable lead in a game they'd win. He's now driven in a run in six of his last seven contests to give him 26 on the season.

Howard is not in the lineup for Sunday's game against the Braves.

Manager Pete Mackanin said Saturday that he was considering holding the slumping Howard out Sunday, and it turns out he will indeed do just that. Tommy Joseph will get the start at first base in place of Howard, who is just 4-for-44 (.091) through 16 games this month.