MLB Player News

Bell has batted leadoff in the last two games, going a combined 1-for-9 with a double and run scored.

Pittsburgh is looking for ways to jumpstart the offense, and nothing seems to be working. After falling to a season-low .233 batting average June 9, Bell has slashed .301/.395/.425 in his last 86 plate appearances. He's hit only five home runs and holds an overall OPS of .709, however. Many envisioned Bell taking over as the face of the franchise following Andrew McCutchen's departure, but things haven't yet clicked for the 25-year-old.

Flores went 3-for-4 with a double Saturday against the Rays.

Flores recorded his second three-hit effort of the season Saturday, though he didn't get any runs or RBI. While not spectacular, he has quietly hit well since coming off the disabled list June 15, recording at least one hit in all but two of his starts. He also has four home runs, 14 RBI and eight runs scored in that span.

Freeman went 3-for-4 with a double, a triple, an RBI and two runs scored Saturday against the Brewers.

Freeman recorded his first three-hit game since June 5, though he is still hitting .310 for the season. He has also quietly been struggling to hit for power, as he has only four extra-base hits since June 22. Despite those recent struggles, it's hard to complain about anything Freeman has done this season as he ranks in the top 10 in the National League in batting average, home runs, RBI, runs scored, walks and slugging percentage.

Gurriel went 2-for-4 with a home run, four RBI and two runs scored Saturday against the White Sox.

Gurriel took James Shields deep for a three-run homer in the third inning for his sixth home run of the season and third in his past 10 games. He's also driven in 14 runs in that span, and while that pace won't be maintained, Gurriel should be capable of providing strong counting stats thanks to his continued presence in the middle of the Astros lineup.

Carter was released by the Twins on Saturday, Rochester Redwings PR Coordinator Nate Rowan reports.

The former home-run champ hasn't done much of note this season, hitting .224/.317/.519 at the Triple-A level with the Twins and Angels. Still just 31, Carter could eventually find his way back to the big leagues, though he's unlikely to be a hot commodity having hit just .201/.284/.370 in 62 games for the Yankees last season in his last taste of major-league action.

Olson went 2-for-4 a double and a solo home run in a loss to the Indians on Friday.

Olson took Carlos Carrasco deep in the second inning with a 438-foot shot to center that extended the Athletics' early lead to 2-0. The 24-year-old has been on a power surge of late, racking up eight extra-base hits -- including five homers -- on the strength of a 55.3 percent hard-contact rate over the 64 plate appearances encompassing his last 15 games.

Cooper went 2-for-3 with a walk in Friday's loss to the Nationals.

Getting the start in left field against southpaw Gio Gonzalez and hitting sixth, Cooper made an immediate impact in his return from a wrist injury that had sidelined him since April 1. The 27-year-old will likely settle in on the short side of a left-field platoon with Derek Dietrich, while also filling in for Justin Bour at first base on occasion, and he could be a useful addition to NL-only and deep fantasy league rosters for the second half.

Hoskins went 3-for-5 with a double, two RBI, two walks and three runs scored in Friday's win over Pittsburgh.

Hoskins added insurance runs in both the seventh and ninth innings on the way to a huge 17-5 victory. He sits with 21 doubles and 14 homers on the season, but he hasn't shown consistent power, as he's slugging just .489.

Hiura (thumb sprain) is expected to return to the lineup for Double-A Biloxi on Friday, Todd Rosiak of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reports.

The injury has sidelined him since June 29. He has a .322/.381/.523 slash line with nine home runs and 10 steals in 298 at-bats between High-A and Double-A this year and is a borderline top-10 prospect for fantasy purposes.

Cooper (wrist) was activated from the 10-day disabled list prior to Friday's game, Joe Frisaro of MLB.com reports.

Cooper will immediately rejoin the starting lineup, manning left field and hitting sixth in the order. The outfielder hasn't played in a big-league contest since April 1 due to a right wrist contusion. Expect him to see some time at both corner-outfield positions as well as first base behind Justin Bour.