MLB Player News

Rizzo (back) said he'll most likely rejoin the lineup Thursday against the Reds or over the weekend against the Nationals, Jesse Rogers of ESPN.com reports.

Rizzo didn't rule out a return to the lineup Wednesday, though he suggested it was unlikely. The first baseman has been sidelined since Sunday due to back tightness, but it doesn't sound like the issue will force him to spend time on the IL.

Bell went 2-for-4 with a pair of homers, four RBI and a walk in a 6-2 victory against the Diamondbacks on Tuesday.

It's still early, but Bell is in the National League MVP conversation right now. With this pair of homers -- one of which was another massive shot more than 450 feet -- he has already matched his 12 home runs from last season in just 167 plate appearances. Bell is also currently on a 14-game hitting streak, during which he's hit .421 with 13 extra-base hits. Overall, Bell is batting .329 with a .692 slugging percentage, 12 home runs, 39 RBI and 27 runs in 146 at-bats.

Votto was responsible for the Reds' only run in Tuesday's loss to the Cubs, hitting a solo homer against Kyle Hendricks.

The homer was Votto's fourth of the season, and he's still hitting a mere .207/.323/.357 during the campaign. He entered the game with an average exit velocity of 87.8 mph, which is right around his average in the Statcast Era. But he's striking out at a far greater pace than he has in previous seasons.

Guerrero went 3-for-4 with a walk, two home runs and four RBI in Tuesday's 7-3 win over the Giants.

The 20-year-old struggled through his first 20 games in the majors but finally went yard Tuesday, absolutely pulverizing a first-inning fastball from Nick Vincent and a sixth-inning changeup from Reyes Moronta -- with the two blasts traveling a combined 889 feet. Guerrero raised his slash line to .235/.328/.392 with the performance, and his numbers could climb rapidly now that he's finding his stroke again.

Hiura went 2-for-3 with a walk Tuesday against the Phillies.

Hiura collected his first major-league hit in the second inning, hitting a line drive that deflected off pitcher Jerad Eickhoff. He also found his way on base twice in the remainder of the game, drawing a free pass in the fourth inning and singling to left field in the eighth. He's off to a good start with the big-league club after managing a .333/.408/.698 line in 37 games at Triple-A San Antonio.

Bour was optioned to Triple-A Salt Lake after Tuesday's loss to the Twins, Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic reports.

Bour started just two of seven games after Shohei Ohtani (elbow) returned from the injured list, and his .163/.268/.316 slash line and lack of defensive versatility made him an unappealing bench option. Albert Pujols and Ohtani should continue to handle the everyday duties at first base and designated hitter for the Angels, respectively.

Smith went 1-for-1 with a home run Tuesday against the Nationals.

Smith appeared as a pinch hitter in the ninth inning and added insurance to the Mets' lead with a solo home run. It was his first of the season, though he's fared well in limited at-bats, racking up 11 hits in 32 at-bats with three extra-base hits. However, so long as Pete Alonso remains healthy, playing time is likely to remain minimal for Smith.

Freeman (illness) struck out in both of his at-bats in Tuesday's 14-3 loss to the Cardinals.

Freeman missed one game with a head cold. With the score already favoring the Cardinals 11-0, Matt Joyce pinch hit for Freeman in the fifth inning. The move gives the first baseman more rest, with the hope he'll be 100 percent within a couple of days.

Tellez isn't in Tuesday's starting lineup against the Giants.

The Blue Jays are playing in a National League park for the next two days, so Tellez will bow out of the starting nine with no designated hitter slot available.

Rizzo (back) still needs "a couple days" before returning to the lineup, Jordan Bastian of MLB.com reports.

Rizzo sat Sunday and will do the same Tuesday as he continues to get treatment for his back. It doesn't appear likely that he'll return for Wednesday's game, but a trip to the injured list also seems unlikely at this point.