MLB Player News

Votto (back) completed fielding drills at first base Sunday but isn't ready to return from the 10-day injured list, Bobby Nightengale of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

Votto took on-field batting practice Saturday and ran the bases, but he still needs more reps before being activated. The 35-year-old was eligible to return Sunday, but the team already indicated he wouldn't be activated this weekend. Votto seems unlikely to rejoin the active roster Monday, but he could still return to action sometime during the four-game series against the Marlins.

Dixon is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Twins, Chris McCosky of The Detroit News reports.

Dixon will take a seat after donning the golden sombrero has part of an 0-for-5 performance in Saturday's 8-5 loss. The 27-year-old is slashing just .226/.275/.357 with a 35.2 percent strikeout rate thus far in August. Jordy Mercer replaces Dixon at first base.

Cronenworth is 2-for-12 with a double, a walk and two runs in the three games he's played for Triple-A Durham since returning from a stay on the 7-day injured list due to a hamstring strain.

The 25-year-old shortstop hasn't quite been able to regain the elite form he's been flashing for most of the season in his first three games since returning, but his timing is expected to be a bit off after spending just over a month on the shelf. Cronenworth still boasts a stellar .342/.432/.540 line across 366 plate appearances with the Bulls this season and could get his first taste of the big leagues when rosters expand in September.

Naylor is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against Boston.

Naylor has an .869 OPS through 21 games in August, but he'll take a seat Sunday with southpaw Brian Johnson on the mound for the Red Sox. Francisco Mejia will start in left field while Austin Hedges works behind the plate in the series finale.

Hoskins went 0-for-3 with three walks and two runs Saturday in the Phillies' 9-3 win over the Marlins.

Hoskins has now drawn multiple walks in four consecutive games and has come around to score seven times over that stretch. While Hoskins' patient approach at the plate lately has helped the Phillies from a real-life standpoint, he hasn't been nearly as useful of an asset in traditional 5x5 fantasy leagues. Hoskins is batting a lowly .116 in August with one home run and three RBI in 21 games.

Calhoun is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Astros, Jeff Fletcher of The Orange County Register reports.

Calhoun went 0-for-4 in Saturday's 5-2 loss, taking some of the shine off his four-hit performance in Friday's series opener. He'll bow out of the lineup Sunday with a lefty (Framber Valdez) on the bump for Houston, effectively giving Calhoun two days off due to the Angels' open date Monday. Brian Goodwin will take Calhoun's spot in the outfield.

Rizzo (back) is not in the lineup for Sunday's game against the Nationals.

Rizzo was removed from Saturday's contest with back tightness, and it's not a major surprise to see him sitting out the series finale with a scheduled off day to follow Monday. According to Bruce Levine of 670TheScore.com, the 30-year-old is considered day-to-day with mid-back pain and is hopeful to rejoin the lineup Tuesday against the Mets. Ian Happ will cover first base Sunday while Addison Russell takes over at the keystone.

Abreu went 2-for-4 in Saturday's 4-0 loss to the White Sox.

Abreu's first-inning single extended his hitting streak to six games and was his 1,000th career hit. The 32-year-old is having a monster August, slashing .344/.387/.604 with six home runs, seven doubles, 17 runs and 24 RBI over 24 games.

Bell went 1-for-4 with a three-run homer and two runs in a 14-0 victory over the Reds on Saturday.

Hitting .226 this month, Bell is limping to the finish line, but he still has 72 extra-base hits and 102 RBI this year. If he can get out of his funk, Bell can still finish the year atop the National League in RBI. He is batting .275 with 32 home runs and 86 runs in 465 at-bats this season.

Flores has a minor back injury and hasn't seen game action since Tuesday, Nick Piecoro of The Arizona Republic reports.

Manager Torey Lovullo said Flores has been available off the bench the last couple days, so it doesn't appear to be a serious concern. It's poor timing for the 28-year-old, as he has a .421/.463/.789 slash line with four home runs in 16 games in August.