MLB Player News

Votto went 3-for-3 with a solo home run and two runs in the Reds' 15-9 win over the Twins on Friday.

Votto seems intent on showing his slow start to the season is a thing of the past, as his fifth-inning long ball off Tyler Duffey marked his fourth straight game with a homer after going the first 21 games of the season without one. The 34-year-old is now slashing .280/.393/.430 and he looks fully primed to resume his status as one of the best hitters in baseball.

Abreu (illness) will play first base and bat third against the Royals on Friday.

Abreu will return to the field after missing Thursday's game due to illness. The 31-year-old shouldn't face any limitations moving forward as it appears he's feeling fine and fully recovered from this ailment. Over 21 games this season, Abreu is hitting .286/.348/.536 with six home runs and 12 RBI.

Goldschmidt went 3-for-5 with a pair of doubles and a run scored in the Diamondbacks' 8-2 win over the Phillies on Thursday.

Goldschmidt is now up to seven doubles and 13 extra-base hits on the season, placing him fifth in the National League in the latter category. Since April 10, Goldschmidt has slashed .385/.467/.769 with four home runs, two steals, eight RBI and 14 runs, more than atoning for his 4-to-34 start to the season.

Freeman went 3-for-4 with a walk, three doubles and a run scored in Thursday's win over the Reds.

The first baseman has been raking over the last week, hitting .400 (12-for-30) with seven extra-base hits (five doubles, two homers), five RBI and six runs. Despite the buzz being generated by Ronald Acuna and Ozzie Albies, Freeman remains the heart of the Braves' offense, and with additional support from the youngsters he could be headed for a career year.

Cron went 1-for-5 with a two-run home run Thursday against the Orioles.

Cron remained hot, blasting his fourth home run in as many days. He is seeing regular playing time and he has taken advantage by posting a .517 slugging percentage through 87 at-bats. Like many of the mid-career breakouts over the past few seasons, Cron has elevated his flyball rate, so he could continue to hit for plenty of power throughout the season even if his current pace does not continue.

Abreu (illness) is not in the lineup for Thursday's game against the Royals.

Abreu is still battling an illness that forced him to leave Wednesday's game in the fourth inning, so he'll get the night off while Matt Davidson picks up a start at first base in his stead. He should continue to be considered day-to-day.

Gillaspie was sent off the 40-man roster and outrighted to Triple-A Charlotte on Thursday.

Gillaspie is hitting .214/.263/.229 with one extra-base hit and five RBI in 18 games for Charlotte this season. This move further illustrates that Gillaspie is still far away from earning a call up to the major-league level.

Cabrera (hamstring) will play second base and bat third against the Cardinals on Thursday, Matt Ehalt of The Record reports.

Cabrera was held out of Wednesday's game due to a sore right hamstring but doesn't appear to be dealing with any lingering effects as he's back in the starting nine for the series finale in St. Louis. Through 21 games, Cabrera is hitting .349/.391/.590 with four home runs and 12 RBI.

Guerrero went 3-for-4 with three RBI in Wednesday's game for Double-A New Hampshire against Binghamton.

Guerrero ranks sixth in the Eastern League in wRC+ (169), and everyone ahead of him is at least three years his senior. He has seven walks and seven strikeouts through 82 plate appearances, and appears to be in complete control against Double-A pitchers, despite the fact he is the youngest player at the level. He should earn a promotion to Triple-A in the coming months, and could make his MLB debut later this season, depending on how the team prioritizes team control, TV ratings (Rogers Media owns the Blue Jays), and competing for a playoff berth.

Blandino will make his first MLB start at second base and bat eighth Thursday against the Braves, Mark Sheldon of MLB.com reports.

Since being recalled from Triple-A Louisville on April 9, Blandino has received all nine of his starts at third base, settling in as the primary option at the position while Eugenio Suarez (hand) was on the disabled list. With Suarez having made tremendous progress in his recovery and gaining clearance to come off the disabled list and return to the lineup Thursday, Blandino will no longer be in store for regular reps at the hot corner, but he'll stick in the starting nine thanks to his ability to play elsewhere in the infield. It's worth noting, however, that Blandino's inclusion in the lineup over the lefty-hitting Scooter Gennett likely has more to do with the fact that a southpaw (Sean Newcomb) is starting for the Braves. Expect Blandino to ride the pine more frequently and act as a utility man so long as he sticks around with the big club.