MLB Player News

Goldschmidt went 2-for-5 with a run in a win over the Nationals on Wednesday.

Goldschmidt opened the new month on a positive note after going 1-for-14 over his previous three games. The veteran slugger has a solid .264/.350/.512 line through 137 plate appearances, but his 26.3 percent strikeout rate is an aspect of his game with plenty of room for improvement.

O'Hearn is out of the lineup for Thursday's game against the Rays.

The Royals have routinely withheld O'Hearn from the lineup against left-handed pitchers this season, but he'll pick up a rare rest versus a righty (Charlie Morton) on Thursday. Since opening the season with a five-game hitting streak, O'Hearn has slashed a miserable .116/.262/.261 and could be in danger of losing out on a strong-side platoon role.

Kirilloff (wrist) was activated from the 7-day IL at Double-A Pensacola, the Minneapolis Star Tribune reports.

Kirilloff sustained the wrist injury late in spring training and originally was expected to return to the field sometime in April. He'll likely move to first base after playing the outfield last season.

Smith will start at first base and hit second Thursday against the Reds.

Smith is making just his fourth start of the season with Pete Alonso getting a rare day off. Though Alonso has slumped over the past week and a half, his struggles would need to become far more pronounced before the Mets seriously entertain regularly benching him in favor of Smith.

Tellez went 2-for-3 with a walk and a solo home run in Wednesday's loss to the Angels.

The rookie continues to supply the Jays with solid power numbers, slugging six homers and 17 RBI in 26 games, but Tellez's .238/.311/.500 slash line is otherwise lackluster. The 24-year-old will need to improve on his 31.1 percent strikeout rate if he's going to develop into a more complete hitter.

Votto is out of the lineup for Thursday's game against the Mets.

This just looks to be routine rest for Votto with the Reds and Mets concluding their series with a day game after a night game. Derek Dietrich will swap in for Votto at first base and bat third.

France will start at third base and bat fifth Thursday against the Braves.

Fernando Tatis Jr.'s (hamstring) move to the injured list earlier this week has resulted in Manny Machado taking over as the everyday shortstop, leaving the hot corner open for France. After amassing an incredible 1.407 OPS at Triple-A El Paso prior to being promoted last week, France has yet to get going in the majors, recording only two hits in 13 at-bats. Though France will be making his third start in a row Thursday, he may need to catch fire again quickly in order to ensure he sticks in an everyday role for the duration of Tatis' absence.

Alonso is out of the lineup for Thursday's game against the Reds.

Alonso will rest in the series finale in favor of Dominic Smith, who will assume the former's usual duties at first base and as the Mets' No. 2 hitter. The rookie is currently stuck in the first slump of his young career, as he's reached base at just a .265 clip while homering once and striking out 11 times over the last eight games.

Abreu knocked in six runs combined in Wednesday's doubleheader against the Orioles. He knocked in one each on a double and a single in Game 1 then hit a solo home run and a rare three-run single in the nightcap.

With hits in each game, Abreu extended his hitting streak to 10 games, going 21-for-44 with three home runs and 20 RBI during that span. The run-producing stretch moves him up to third in MLB with 30 RBI, tied with the Mariners' Domingo Santana.

Olson (hand) went 0-for-3 with a walk in Triple-A Las Vegas' loss to Reno on Wednesday.

Olson slotted in at first base as planned and was part of a successful double play, showing no ill effects from his recovering hand. The rehabbing Olson is slated to suit up for the Aviators for at least four more games before the Athletics begin considering an activation date.