MLB Player News

Votto (knee) is batting second and starting at first base for the series finale against the Diamondbacks, C. Trent Rosecrans of The Athletic Cincinnati reports.

Votto sat out a pair of games earlier in the week and was held out of Saturday's lineup with a sore right knee, although he did appear as a pinch hitter Saturday. The 34-year-old has a solid .291/.429/.428 slash line, but hasn't hit a home run since July 9, a span of 96 plate appearances.

Votto (knee) served as pinch hitter Saturday, delivering an RBI single in the bottom of the eighth inning in the Reds' eventual victory.

Votto has been battling knee soreness and wasn't in the lineup. Though the 34-year-old has had a down year, the Diamondbacks curiously walked Jose Peraza to get to him, and he delivered with the key run-scoring single. Stay tuned for whether Votto will return to the starting card Sunday.

The Indians are calling up Diaz from Triple-A Columbus, Paul Hoynes of the Cleveland Plain Dealer reports.

The announcement came after the Tribe's Saturday contest as Diaz will fill the spot created by Edwin Encarnacion's (biceps) impending trip to the 10-day disabled list. The third baseman might serve as designated hitter on at least a part-time basis and deserves to be owned in most AL-only formats, with mixed-league intrigue dependent on the extent of his opportunity and stats posted in the near future.

Olson is not starting Saturday against the Angels.

Olson will take a seat against left-hander Tyler Skaggs. Mark Canha will start at first base, with Ramon Laureano taking Canha's spot in center field.

Votto (knee) is not in the lineup Saturday against Arizona.

Votto missed a pair of games earlier in the week with a sore right knee. He was able to play Friday but appears to have been given another day to rest. He'll likely be managed on a day-to-day basis until the Reds are confident that the knee is no longer an issue. Brandon Dixon will get the start at first base.

Bell went 3-for-5 with a double against the Giants on Friday.

A day after hitting his first homer of the season from the right side, Bell collected three additional knocks while batting right-handed and flew out to deep center. Bell is slashing .324/.414/.482 in his last 139 at-bats, though he's hit only three homers over that stretch.

Calhoun went 1-for-4 with a two-run homer in Friday's 4-3 win over the Athletics.

Calhoun -- who normally is moved down in the order against southpaws -- was allowed to lead off against left-handed starter Brett Anderson, and he rewarded manager Mike Scioscia's decision with his 16th home run of the season and second in as many games. Don't let the 30-year-old's mediocre season line fool you, as he has been one of the Angels' hottest bats since returning from the disabled list June 18, posting a .291/.358/.646 slash line with 15 long balls over that 44-game span.

Votto (knee) will man first base and bat second against the Diamondbacks on Friday.

As expected, Votto will be back in action after missing the past two games following a knee injury he sustained Monday. He benefited from the Reds having a scheduled off day Thursday, and he appears ready to go for this weekend's three-game set.

The Marlins traded Bour to the Phillies on Friday in exchange for McKenzie Mills, Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic reports.

The Phillies will also receive cash. Carlos Santana is currently the starter at first base for Philadelphia and has a .219/.356/.402 slash line and 17.9 percent walk rate, while Bour has posted a similar .227/.347/.412 slash line with 19 home runs. The 30-year-old will likely be a bench option most nights, unless the Phillies opt to utilize a platoon situation at first base.

Wade (hamstring) was activated from the minor-league DL on Friday, Brandon Warne of Zone Coverage reports.

Wade only spent the minimum seven days on the shelf after suffering a right hamstring strain last week. Across 50 games with Triple-A Rochester this year, he's slashed .250/.376/.378 with three home runs, 14 RBI and five stolen bases.