MLB Player News

Bell went 1-for-4 with his 23rd homer of the season Wednesday.

The switch-hitter is batting better from the left side (.276 batting average, .306 BABIP) than the right (.218, .198), but from a power standpoint there's not much difference. Bell has hit 16 homers in 344 at-bats as a lefty and seven homers in 110 at-bats right-handed. His lefty/righty ISO splits (.235/.218) illustrate that with more experience, the rookie figures to improve his overall approach (and numbers) as a right-handed hitter. The Pirates have pinch hit for Bell against southpaws on numerous occasions, but that figures to change in 2018.

Alonso went 2-for-4 with two solo home runs for Double-A Binghamton in Wednesday's win over Erie.

After going 0-for-4 in his first game at Double-A following a promotion, the 22-year-old has now put together a seven-game hitting streak and five-game extra-base hit streak, with Wednesday's homers being his first for Binghamton. Alonso, the Mets' No. 10 fantasy prospect, has now gone yard 18 times this season in just 90 games between High-A and Double-A, flashing the plus power that made him a second-round pick in 2016. With Dominic Smith -- who's six months younger than Alonso -- just beginning his tenure in the majors as the club's first baseman of the future, however, there's no clear path right now to a big-league starting job in Queens for the right-handed slugger.

Rizzo went 2-for-3 with a double, a homer, two RBI and three runs against the Pirates on Wednesday.

Not that Rizzo ever seems to go cold, but he's been even hotter than usual over the last six games, racking up 12 hits -- including three homers and four doubles -- in 21 at-bats (a .571 average). It took him awhile to normalize his batting average, but he's now up to .282 on the season, and further BABIP normalization could result in him challenging the .300 mark by the time September's up.

Gurriel (knee) isn't expected to play Thursday's game after exiting Wednesday's contest with knee soreness, Jake Kaplan of the Houston Chronicle reports.

X-rays on Gurriel's knee came back negative, so he doesn't appear to be dealing with anything overly serious, but the Astros will still play it safe with him and rest him for Thursday's series finale with an off day on tap Friday. The hope is that he'll be ready for at least one game of Saturday's doubleheader after a couple days of rest. Marwin Gonzalez should see the bulk of time at first base in his absence.

Gurriel was removed from Wednesday's game against the Rangers with right knee soreness, Mark Feinsand of MLB.com reports.

Gurriel looked to injure himself while running the bases in the second inning, and although he initially stayed in the game, the issue was noticeably bothering him and eventually ended his night after five innings. The severity of his injury remains unclear at this point; consider him day-to-day until he is further evaluated Thursday.

Gurriel was removed from Wednesday's game against the Rangers with an apparent injury, Jake Kaplan of the Houston Chronicle reports.

Gurriel appeared to hurt himself while running the bases in the second inning, and while he was initially able to stay in the game, he eventually limped off in the top of the fifth inning. The specifics of the injury have yet to be revealed, but more should be known following the conclusion of Wednesday's contest. Gurriel was 1-for-2 before J.D. Davis came on to replace him.

Joseph is not in the lineup for Game 2 of Wednesday's doubleheader against Atlanta, Stephen Gross of The Morning Call reports.

Joseph will retreat to the bench for the second time in the past three games. He went 1-for-4 with one strikeout during Game 1, and will take a seat in favor of Rhys Hoskins at first base.

Freeman went 2-for-5 with a double, a two-run homer and two runs scored in the first game of Wednesday's doubleheader against the Phillies.

Freeman's long ball off starter Jerad Eickhoff made it 3-0 before the right-hander had even recorded an out. His two-extra base hits here have the soon-to-be 28-year-old slugger up to 49 in 86 games this year. Freeman missed a large chunk of time with a wrist injury, but he's been terrific when healthy with a .319/.415/.616 line.

Goldschmidt went 2-for-4 with a home run and two runs in Tuesday's 7-6 win over the Dodgers.

Goldschmidt reached base in the first inning on an infield line drive off Dodgers starter Rich Hill and supplied the decisive run with his solo shot in the fifth inning. It was the third long ball in four contests for Goldschmidt, leaving him just four shy of his career-best total of 36 home runs with 30 games left to play.

Olson went 1-for-4 with a solo home run in Tuesday's 8-2 loss to the Angels.

The rookie provided the second of two second-inning homers off Angels starter Troy Scribner, launching a 382-foot shot to right. It was the second round tripper in as many games for Olson, who's blasted six overall since returning to the big-league club from Triple-A Nashville on Aug. 8. Factoring in Tuesday's production, Olson sports a .309/.367/.636 line in the 60 plate appearances he's logged in his current Athletics stint.