MLB Player News

Manager Aaron Boone announced Sunday that Rizzo tested positive for COVID-19 and will be placed on the injured list, Lindsey Adler of The Athletic reports.

Rizzo started all nine games since being acquired from the Cubs ahead of the trade deadline, but he'll now be unavailable for at least 10 days after testing positive for COVID-19. Luke Voit (knee) was activated from the injured list in a corresponding move and should see the bulk of the playing time at first base in the meantime for the Yankees.

Freeman (illness) is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Nationals, Mark Bowman of MLB.com reports.

Austin Riley will shift across the diamond and cover first base in place of Freeman, who made an early exit from Saturday's 3-2 win while battling an upper-respiratory infection. According to Bowman, Freeman admitted he felt sick heading into Saturday's game and experienced spells of dizziness before leaving early, so Atlanta is likely erring on the side of caution by holding him out of the series finale. Freeman will effectively get two days off thanks to Atlanta having an open date in the schedule Monday, but the team is hopeful he'll be ready to go for Tuesday's series opener versus Cincinnati.

Walker went 1-for-3 with a two-run home run and a strikeout in a 6-2 loss to San Diego on Saturday.

Walker tagged San Diego starter Yu Darvish for a long home run in the second inning to provide Arizona's only two runs of the game. The long ball was Walker's fifth in 71 games this season and was his first since June 26 as he's slugging a disappointing .355. This comes after he smashed a combined 36 home runs in 199 games over the last two seasons with a .471 slugging.

Votto went 2-for-4 and hit his 23rd home run of the season Saturday against the Pirates.

Votto took Pittsburgh reliever Nick Mears deep for a solo homer in the eighth inning to round out the scoring at 11-3. He also picked up an RBI on a sacrifice fly back in the third. Votto has cooled off from the torrid pace he set during the back half of July, hitting just .222 over his past seven games, but he's still gone yard three times during that stretch.

Olson went 4-for-5 with a double, three runs scored and two RBI in Saturday's 12-3 win over the Rangers.

The first baseman has slugged a two-bagger in three straight games and swatted an extra-base hit in five of his last six. The power surge has boosted Olson's batting average since the All-Star break to .304 (21-for-69) with a .638 SLG thanks to eight doubles and five homers.

Freeman left Saturday's game against the Nationals due to an upper respiratory infection.

There's been no indication that Freeman has tested positive for COVID-19, an illness he battled prior to his MVP campaign last year. Health and safety protocols remain tight due to the pandemic, however, so Atlanta will have to treat Freeman's illness with caution. Ehire Adrianza entered the game in his place, playing third base and pushing Austin Riley over to first, which could be the team's default alignment if Freeman is forced to miss time.

Gurriel (neck) took grounders on the field Saturday, Danielle Lerner of the Houston Chronicle reports.

Gurriel landed on the 10-day injured list Friday after he missed three consecutive games due to neck stiffness, and he's eligible to return as early as Aug. 13. The team hasn't yet revealed when he'll be back in action, but it's encouraging to see him resume activities shortly after his placement on the IL.

Mountcastle is still feeling concussion symptoms and may need a trip to the injured list, Nathan Ruiz of The Baltimore Sun reports.

Mountcastle hurt his head while attempting a steal Friday and was forced to exit the game. While he's yet to be removed from the roster, he won't start Saturday's game against the Rays and could be placed on the concussion injured list soon. Trey Mancini will start at first base in his absence, with Anthony Santander serving as the designated hitter.

O'Hearn will sit Saturday against the Cardinals.

The Royals' regular starting nine will be a man short due to the lack of the designated hitter in the National League park. O'Hearn served as the right fielder Friday, but that spot will be occupied by Hunter Dozier in the second game of the series.

Smith isn't starting Saturday against the Phillies, Mike Puma of the New York Post reports.

Smith will get a day off as the Mets elect to stack their lineup with right-handed hitters against lefty Ranger Suarez. Kevin Pillar will take over in left field and bat eighth.