MLB Player News

Joseph is not in the lineup Sunday against the Rockies.

After two consecutive hitless showings to start the series, Joseph will head to the bench for a night off. Daniel Nava will move into the lineup and play first base to replace him for the afternoon.

Bell is not in the lineup Sunday against the Padres.

Jose Osuna will replace the 24-year-old at first base for the series finale. Since the All-Star break, Bell has settled in at the plate, slashing .308/.353/.487 with three home runs and 15 runs batted in.

Cooper was recalled from Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre on Sunday.

Cooper was demoted following a roster crunch due to the Todd Frazier trade, but with Matt Holliday (back) now out of commission, the 26-year-old will return to the big leagues to add some more depth. Based on the current roster construction, it seems like he could move into a platoon at the designated hitter spot potentially with the likes of Jacoby Ellsbury, although Cooper's high strikeout rate and 6-for-25 showing in the Bronx earlier this season could relegate him to bench duty until Holliday returns.

Freeman went 2-for-4 with a home run, four RBI and two runs during Saturday's win over Miami.

Freeman entered the game with a rock-solid .834 OPS since returning from the disabled list July 4, and he's now up to an elite .317/.418/.642 slash line for the campaign. Even with the missed time, Freeman's counting stats (20 homers, 45 RBI and 53 runs) have been good up to snuff, and he projects to remain a high-end asset in all fantasy settings.

Votto went 1-for-2 with a solo homer and two walks in Saturday's loss to the Cardinals.

Now up to 28 homers on the season, Votto sits just one shy of last year's total with 52 games still to play. He has hit safely in 10 straight and is batting close to .500 during that span. It's looking like he's in store for another huge second half.

Santana went 1-for-4 with a solo home run during Saturday's loss to the Yankees.

With six homers over his past 12 games, Santana has kick-started a long-awaited power outburst. He's buoyed his fantasy value with 59 RBI and 65 runs, but his .245 batting average and 16 homers are underwhelming marks. A strong conclusion to the season is well within reach, and Santana has the potential to make up for lost time in a hurry.

Flores went 1-for-3 with a solo homer Saturday against the Dodgers.

Flores launched his 12th home run of the campaign off Rich Hill to extend a first-inning lead that would eventually evaporate in a losing effort. He's currently posting career-best numbers in batting average and slugging percentage as he builds upon the mild breakout he had in 2016.

Goldschmidt went 3-for-4 with a triple and two RBI in Friday's 2-1 win over the Giants.

Goldschmidt had nowhere to go but down following his three-homer, six-RBI performance in Thursday's rain-soaked win over the Cubs, but he still did his best in Friday's series opener to return value for those who invested in him in DFS contests. The MVP candidate had initially struggled to find his form at the plate in the first few games out of the All-Star break, but it's safe to say he's remembered how to mash again. He's gone 17-for-34 at the plate and has compiled an absurd 1.561 OPS over his last 10 games.

Abreu went 1-for-4 with a double and a run in Friday's 3-2 loss to the Red Sox.

Abreu is a lonely name in the middle of a White Sox batting order chock full of unknowns, struggling youngsters and utility infielders. Without much of supporting cast, he's easily pitched around and has just three home runs and 10 RBI over his last 24 games. That's a home run every eight games and an RBI every 2.4 games. Compare that to the first 82 contests, when he averaged a homer every 5.1 games and an RBI every 1.4 games. The hope is that guys like Yoan Moncada and Tim Anderson start hitting and Avisail Garcia produces once he returns from a thumb injury.

Gillaspie (toe) was activated from the 7-day DL at Triple-A Charlotte on Friday, Dan Hayes of CSN Chicago reports.

A first-round pick in 2014 (20th overall), Gillaspie saw his stock crash after batting .227/.296/.357 at Triple-A Durham this season as a 24-year-old. He was shipped out by the Rays in exchange for reliever Dan Jennings prior to the trade deadline. Those in dynasty leagues would be wise not to bet on this reclamation project panning out.