MLB Player News

Freeman (illness) is back in the lineup Tuesday against St. Louis.

Freeman was scratched Sunday due to illness, but he's ready to go following Monday's off day. He'll play first base and hit third.

Rizzo (back) isn't in Tuesday's starting lineup against the Reds.

Rizzo is set to miss his second straight game due to back tightness. Kris Bryant will get the nod at first base, once again opening up a spot for David Bote at the hot corner.

Hiura was officially promoted by the Brewers on Tuesday.

Hiura started the year hot for Triple-A San Antonio, hitting .333/.408/.698 with 11 homers in 37 games. The 22-year-old projects as an average defender at best, but scouts love both his contact and power ability. He should be in line for an everyday role at second base, pushing Mike Moustakas to third. Travis Shaw (wrist) was sent to the injured list to clear a spot on the 25-man roster, with Cory Spangenberg getting designated for assignment to clear a spot on the 40-man.

The Brewers plan to promote Hiura from Triple-A San Antonio prior to Tuesday's game against the Phillies, Robert Murray of The Athletic reports.

With top third baseman Travis Shaw off to a rough start to begin 2019, the Brewers will delve into their minor-league ranks and bring aboard their top prospect to provide an offensive lift. Hiura should immediately take over as the Brewers' everyday second baseman, pushing Mike Moustakas to his more natural position at the hot corner. Shaw, meanwhile, is expected to be placed on the 10-day injured list or get optioned to Triple-A, per Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic. The 22-year-old Hiura has been crushing Pacific Coast League pitching throughout the season, slashing .333/.408/.698 across 147 plate appearance while homering 11 times and chipping in four steals.

Walker went 2-for-4 with a double, a solo home run and two runs scored in Monday's 9-3 win over Pittsburgh.

Walker's blast was his eighth of the season but first in 18 games. His season is made up of hot stretches followed by cold ones, and he entered Monday's game with a .221 average and .368 slugging percentage over the previous 17 games. Walker doesn't have a long MLB track record, so it looks like opponents are writing the book on him on the fly. In good times and in bad, Walker has struggled with fastballs up in the zone, Nick Piecoro of the Arizona Republic reports. Few qualified hitters are swinging and missing more at pitches in the zone, per Fangraphs, and Walker has a 31.1 K%. With opponents making adjustments to Walker, it's up to him adjust to how they pitch to him.

Olson went 1-for-4 with a walk and a solo home run in Monday's 6-5 extra-inning loss to the Mariners.

The hand injury which cost him 34 games doesn't seem to be affecting Olson's power stroke at all, despite an earlier-than-expected return from the IL -- he's now gone yard in back-to-back games. The first baseman now sports a .219/.324/.438 slash line in nine contests sandwiched around the injury.

Bell went 2-for-4 with an RBI single and a walk in Monday's 9-3 loss to the Diamondbacks.

Bell knocked in a run during the first inning, extending his hitting streak to 13 games. He missed out on other opportunities though, including a bases-loaded strikeout in the seventh frame. His OPS now sits at an incredible 1.050 with 35 RBI. The red-hot slugger has been one of the best fantasy surprises in 2019.

Calhoun was placed on the paternity list Monday, Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic reports.

Calhoun will spend the next few days away from the team for the birth of his child. Luis Renfigo is expected to be called up Tuesday in Calhoun's place.

Dixon went 2-for-4 with a solo home run, a double and an additional run Sunday in the Tigers' 5-3 win over the Twins.

Dixon made the most of the three straight starts he collected over the weekend, rapping out three extra-base hits (including a pair of home runs) and driving in three. While his positional versatility gives him multiple avenues to at-bats in Detroit, Dixon doesn't have a line on a full-time role just yet and is probably only worthy of consideration in AL-only formats at this time.

Olson went 1-for-3 with a solo home run and a walk Sunday against Cleveland.

Olson left the yard in the sixth inning for the first time this year, but it wasn't enough to power Oakland to victory. In eight games since coming off the injured list, the 25-year-old is 6-for-28 with three walks and two extra-base hits.