MLB Player News

Freeman is getting the day off Thursday against the Nationals.

He will make way for Kelly Johnson to get the start at first base and hit cleanup, presumably against Stephen Strasburg, although he is a little under the weather and has not yet been confirmed as the Nationals' starter. Look for Freeman to be back in the lineup Friday in Miami.

Carter is not in the lineup for Thursday's game against the Cardinals, according to MLB.com's Adam McCalvy.

Carter has an extra-base hit in three straight games, and tallied six extra-base hits over his last six contests, but manager Craig Counsell decided it was time for Carter's first day off of the season. Regular catcher Jonathan Lucroy will get the start at first base Thursday in Carter's place.

Freeman is 1-for-20 since hitting a home run in the first inning on Opening Day.

The good news is the Braves first baseman is still finding a way on base, as he has seven walks through the first seven games. Freeman also has a favorable matchup Wednesday against Nationals starter Stephen Strasburg. He is 12-for-31 (.387) with three homers in his career against the right-hander.

Flores is in the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Marlins.

Flores will make his second start of the season Wednesday, and he will get the nod at first base for the first time in the big leagues, according to Adam Rubin of ESPN New York. Flores will hit fifth against Marlins starter Adam Conley.

Goldschmidt went 1-for-5 with a solo homer and two RBI Tuesday at the Dodgers.

Goldschmidt's third bomb of the year broke an eighth inning tie before he grounded out in the ninth to give the Diamondbacks an insurance run. He now has homered in back-to-back games, and he also has five extra-base hits in eight games this season.

Howard will start against a left-handed pitcher Tuesday due to Darin Ruf being out with shoulder soreness.

Howard typically only starts against right-handed pitching, while Ruf receives most of the work against lefties. However, Ruf is experiencing shoulder soreness, which means Howard will likely become the everyday first baseman until Ruf is fully healthy.

Bour is out of the lineup Monday against the Mets.

Bour has gotten off to a decent start this season, belting three doubles in the first week, but he'll get the day off with left-hander Steven Matz going for New York. Chris Johnson will slot in at first base in his place.

Goldschmidt was 2-for-4 with a solo home run and a double in Sunday's loss to the Cubs.

The Arizona lineup couldn't get any ducks on the pond for Goldy, who managed just one RBI despite collecting six total bases. Goldschmidt is already tops on the team with seven RBI, but the glaring absence of A.J. Pollock from the lineup has curtailed his production just a bit to this point.

Votto went 2-for-3 with a walk in Saturday's 5-1 victory over the Pirates.

The veteran All-Star bounced back from a hitless outing on Friday to post his first multi-hit game of the new season. Votto now has walks in three straight contests as well, one of the constants across his stellar career. Despite only tallying a .211 average over his first 19 at-bats, Votto's considerable pedigree would point to an imminent resurgence at the plate.

Carter went 2-for-4 with a double and two-run homer in Friday's 6-4 victory over the Astros.

The veteran slugger victimized his former teammates, launching his first home run of the year in the first inning off Scott Feldman. Carter has at least one hit in each of the last three games and figures to offer plenty of power as Adam Lind's replacement at first base this season.