MLB Player News

Votto went 1-for-4 with a walk and two runs against Philadelphia on Thursday.

Votto is just for 2-for-12 in his first three games this season, and the slugger has struck out four times. He hasn't found his power source early on with his two hits both being singles.

Rizzo went off in Arizona on Thursday, going 3-for-6 with a triple, a homer, six RBI and three runs.

Yeah, that's the stuff. Three games into the season, Rizzo already has two homers, nine RBI and more walks (three) than strikeouts (two). Last season's 17 steals seem unlikely to be repeated, but it wouldn't at all be surprising to see Rizzo set new career marks in homers and batting average this year.

Howard went 2-for-4 with three RBI in Thursday's loss to the Reds. His two-run homer in the fifth inning off rookie Robert Stephenson was Howard's first of the season.

Howard is hitting .333 (3-for-9) with one home run and two RBI through the team's first four games. Last season, the first baseman hit a dismal .194 in April, so it is encouraging to see him start the 2016 campaign with some success. The 36-year-old is well past him prime, but Howard still has the power to make a significant impact in any format.

Carter went 1-for-3 with a home run and two RBI in Wednesday's win against the Giants.

It was Carter's first homer as a Brewer. After enjoying his best season as a pro in 2014, the first baseman took a big step backward last season due to an inability to make consistent contact and a high strikeout rate. Through his first three games with Milwaukee, Carter already has the sort of stats you'd expect from him -- he's 2-for-9 (.222) with a home run, three RBI and three strikeouts.

Howard is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Reds.

As expected, Darin Ruf will replace Howard in the lineup Wednesday with the Phillies facing Cincinnati lefty Brandon Finnegan. Unless Howard has an unexpected turnaround against left-handed pitching, expect Howard to sit out in place of Ruf on most days where Philadelphia faces a southpaw.

Goldschmidt homered and drove in four runs in a 2-for-4 effort in Tuesday's win over Colorado.

Goldschmidt also tripled, which will help take the sting out of an 0-for-4 Opening Day line. Even with his brilliance last season, Goldschmidt had just four games with a home run and another extra-base hit in 2015, so this was a huge game for the Arizona first baseman.

Manager Pete Mackanin confirmed Friday that Howard will open the year in a platoon with Darin Ruf at first base, Corey Seidman of CSN Philadelphia reports.

Howard will start at first on Opening Day for the Phillies, but will sit in their second game Wednesday against the Reds. He will get the majority of the at-bats since he is on the strong side of the platoon. Howard had an .802 OPS and 20 home runs in 367 at-bats against right handed pitching last season.

Rizzo is slashing .304/.404/.587 this spring.

Rizzo was removed from Tuesday's game a little early, but that was just a precaution. He's been filling the box score all spring, as he has three home runs, two stolen bases, 10 runs, and 12 RBI in just 46 at-bats. He's primed for a big season, and may be the best first baseman on the board after Paul Goldschmidt.

Balaguert homered Thursday against the Mets and is a perfect 3-for-3 this spring.

Balaguert is a .252/.298/.380 hitter in four seasons in the minors and has never made it above the High-A level. He was signed as a 17-year-old when he defected from Cuba, but he's 23 now and looks just like organizational depth.

Manager Pete Mackanin said that Howard will start at first base on Opening Day against the Reds, Ryan Lawrence of the Philly Voice reports.

Mackanin would not confirm that Howard would also open the year in a platoon at first base with Darin Ruf, but that remains the expectation. The question is how much will Ruf play. Howard is in the final year of his contract and the Phillies are looking to the future. It would make sense to give Ruf more opportunity beyond just facing lefties, but Mackanin has yet to give any indication that is in the cards. Howard proved last season he can still be productive against right handed pitching with an .802 OPS and 20 home runs in 367 at-bats.