MLB Player News

Hoskins went 2-for-4 with his first two major-league home runs in Monday's 7-4 loss to the Padres.

Hoskins got off to a slow start after his promotion from Triple-A Lehigh Valley, going hitless in his first three games, but he now has hits in back-to-back starts. Manager Pete Mackanin told Matt Gelb of The Philadelphia Inquirer that he has been pleasantly surprised with Hoskins' work in left field thus far, but that he hasn't been tested range-wise yet. Hoskins will continue to see most of his playing time in left field until Aaron Altherr (hamstring) returns from the disabled list next month.

Rizzo went 3-for-5 with a solo home run and five RBI during Monday's win over Cincinnati, and he also was scored with his 10th game as a second baseman.

Rizzo snapped an 11-game homer drought with Monday's bomb, and he had just a single RBI during that slump. The slow stretches haven't lasted long for Rizzo over the past few seasons, and with a .262/.384/.505 slash line, 27 homers, 76 RBI and 67 runs for the year, they've also been few and far between in 2017. It's also worth reiterating that Rizzo might've earned eligibility at second base in some fantasy leagues, and his owners should check if he now qualifies.

Olson went 1-for-4 with a two-run home run and two runs in Sunday's 9-3 win over the Orioles.

The 23-year-old has gone deep in three straight contests, a span in which he's driven in all five of his runs for the month. Olson has already raised his season average an impressive 15 points since being recalled from Triple-A Nashville on Aug. 8, and he also boasts a .385 wOBA and 53.8 percent hard contact rate since his return.

O'Hearn was demoted to Double-A Northwest Arkansas on Monday, Jeffrey Flanagan of MLB.com reports.

O'Hearn has held his own at Triple-A Omaha this season -- slashing .252/.325/.450 with 18 homers in 114 games -- but with Paulo Orlando, Frank Schwindel and Hunter Dozier all in need of at-bats with Omaha at the moment, the Royals' prospect will drop down a level to assure he continues to see playing time of his own. The 24-year-old will likely be back with the Storm Chasers when another spot opens up on the roster.

Goldschmidt went 1-for-3 with a solo home run and a walk in Sunday's 7-2 loss to the Cubs.

Goldschmidt has been a thorn in the Cubs' side during six matchups this season, contributing five home runs and driving in nine runs to go with four walks. He owns a career-best 1.031 OPS on the campaign and is trending toward a third straight 20-20 campaign, assuming he can record four more steals over the final month and a half of the season.

Cron batted cleanup and went 1-for-5 with his ninth home run of the season in Sunday's 4-2 win over Seattle.

Cron has been on fire of late, homering in three of his last five starts. The slugger's hot stretch extends further than his recent power binge, as he has slashed a healthy .348/.392/.667 since rejoining the majors July 7. The 27-year-old has been seeing regular playing time since Yunel Escobar (oblique) went on the disabled list, and he may have played himself into a regular role once the Halos' third baseman returns to action at the expense of the struggling Luis Valbuena.

Olson went 1-for-4 with a solo home run in Saturday's 12-5 loss to the Orioles.

The rookie's 419-foot shot to right center in the second was his second in as many nights. Olson has hit safely in four of the five games he's played in since being recalled from Triple-A Nashville last Tuesday, but he still sports a lackluster .209 average and .303 OBP through 76 plate appearances.

Bell is not in the lineup for Sunday's game against the Blue Jays.

Bell has put together multi-hit performances in three of his previous four starts, raising his season average from .249 to .257 in the process. Despite his recent production, he'll get the day off with Jose Osuna filling it at first base and batting fifth. Of course, Bell will be available to pinch hit Sunday afternoon.

Flores will start at third base and bat cleanup Sunday against the Phillies, Marc Carig of Newsday reports.

Flores' path to an everyday role looked somewhat muddled after Dominic Smith was promoted from Triple-A Las Vegas to regularly play first base for the Mets, but the trade of Neil Walker to the Brewers on Saturday looks like it may open up regular at-bats for the versatile infielder. He'll shift over to the hot corner Sunday while Asdrubal Cabrera, who had previously been manning that position, moves over to Walker's normal spot at the keystone. Flores is also an option to see starts at second base, but his hot hitting since the All-Star break should lock him into consistent duties somewhere around the infield for the remainder of the season.

Joseph is not in the lineup for Sunday's game against the Mets.

Joseph is off to a sluggish start at the plate during the month of August. The 26-year-old is just 6-for-39 with two extra base hits during the past 11 games and will head to the bench in favor of Rhys Hoskins, who will be making his first start at first base with the big-league club.