MLB Player News

Hiura landed on the 7-day disabled list with a mild left hamstring strain Friday, MLB.com's Adam McCalvy reports.

Although any sort of injury for a top prospect is concerning, Hiura's issue seems minor. The 21-year-old has been playing at Low-A Wisconsin for the past month and tearing it up for the Timber Rattlers, hitting .347/.385/.484 with 15 RBI and 13 runs in 24 games.

Smith is out of the lineup for Friday's series opener against Miami.

Smith will get a breather following seven straight starts to begin his major-league career. During his first week of action, the first baseman went 4-for-25 at the plate, adding one home run and a pair of RBI. In his place, Wilmer Flores draws the start at first base.

Flores (ribs) is back in the lineup Friday against the Marlins.

Flores was able to avoid landing on the disabled list following a left rib injury that has forced him out of the lineup for the past two games. He will take over at first and bat in the cleanup spot for the series opener, but don't be surprised if he receives a couple days off here and there while fully recovering from the rib soreness. Since the All-Star break, Flores is hitting .292/.342/.625 with seven home runs and 13 RBI.

Rizzo went 3-for-5 with a double, an RBI and two runs scored in Thursday's loss to the Reds.

Rizzo has been on a tear over the last four games, as he's gone 9-for-17 with three doubles, two home runs and 10 RBI. He figures to continue providing outstanding fantasy value the rest of the way from the heart of a strong Cubs lineup.

Votto went 2-for-5 with a three-run home run during Thursday's win over the Cubs.

The first baseman just continues to pad his fantasy stats and boasts an elite .316/.448/.601 slash line with 32 homers, 86 RBI and 84 runs. Votto's final numbers might fall short of his dominant 2010 showing when he won the National League Most Valuable Player Award, but this has been his best season since earning that honor.

Abreu went 2-for-5 with a home run and three RBI in Thursday's 9-8 loss to Texas.

Abreu doesn't get as many RBI opportunities as most middle of the order hitters due to the subpar lineup around him, but he came up in a dream situation with the bases loaded and nobody out in the third inning. The Cuban first baseman didn't waste his chance, driving in two runs with a single through the left side. He led off the ninth inning with a solo homer to make it a one-run game, but Chicago was unable to push the tying run across. If he fails to pick up 25 more RBI in the season's final 44 games, Abreu will come up short of 100 for the first time in his four-year career.

Freeman went 2-for-5 with a solo home run and a double during Thursday's win over Colorado.

The only thing to slow Freeman down this season was a fluky wrist injury that cost him 44 games. Even with the missed time, he's racked up 22 homers, 49 RBI and 58 runs with an elite .321/.421/.636 slash line. 2018 could be the season Freeman puts it all together and posts his true breakout campaign, so it's not out of the question to consider ponying up in keeper/dynasty settings now.

Flores (ribs) will remain on the active roster and avoid the disabled list at the present time, Kristie Ackert of the NY Daily News reports.

After testing out the left rib injury and discussing his condition with manager Terry Collins prior to Thursday's series finale against the Yankees, it was determined that Flores would stay on the active roster but likely need a couple days off to recover. It seems as though the Mets finally received some good news concerning an injury, but it's still worth keeping an eye on Flores, because if his condition doesn't improve over the next few days he could wind up landing on the DL. In his place, Matt Reynolds was called up from Triple-A Las Vegas and will start at third for Thursday's contest.

Cooper was placed on the 10-day disabled list Thursday with left hamstring tendinitis.

It's unclear when the injury cropped up on Cooper, but it could help explain the 0-for-6 stint over his last two games after he went 8-for-12 (.667) in his first three games of August. It's unclear how long the issue will keep him sidelined, but he'll be eligible to return Aug. 27 should he be ready. In the meantime, Tyler Austin was recalled from Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre to take his place on the active roster, and will likely serve as the backup first baseman to Chase Headley for the time being. With Greg Bird (ankle) expected to return from the disabled list next week, Cooper's role when he is activated remains up in the air, but his playing time will likely take a big hit.

Flores (ribs) is not in Thursday's lineup for the series finale against the Yankees, Anthony DiComo of MLB.com reports.

It appears as though Flores will test his left side prior to Thursday's game, and could wind up on the disabled list if he doesn't feel up to par. In his place, the club recalled Matt Reynolds and Gavin Cecchini from Triple-A Las Vegas to provide depth in the infield. There will likely be another update on the 26-year-old's condition before the start of Thursday's affair.