MLB Player News

Rizzo went 1-for-5 with a two-run homer Friday against the Pirates.

Rizzo blasted his 20th homer of the campaign as part of a three-run fourth inning that led to a divisional victory. Although his batting average is far from elite, he's been a major source of power for fantasy owners, as evidenced by his excellent .518 slugging percentage.

Manager Terry Collins said that Flores is currently dealing with leg cramps, Matt Ehalt of The Record reports.

This doesn't seem like an issue that would keep him out for an extended period of time, although it is possible that he sits out most of the weekend given that he'll effectively get a week off with the All-Star break coming up. Flores will likely continue to act as a reserve bench player even when he is healthy, however.

Shaw is slashing .299/.322/.549 in 37 games since being promoted to Triple-A Sacramento on May 24.

The slugging outfielder has produced nearly identical numbers for Sacramento following his promotion to that of his time with Double-A Richmond (.301/.390/.511 in 37 games). Giants general manager Bobby Evans stated that a 2017 appearance in the majors is unlikely because Shaw isn't required to be placed on the 40-man roster until next season, Alex Pavlovic of NBC Sports Bay Area reports. That said, he didn't rule out a possible promotion if his bat forces the issue. The 2015 first-round draft pick is trending in the right direction offensively, making him an appealing asset in dynasty formats.

Gurriel is not in Friday's lineup against the Blue Jays, Ben Nicholson-Smith of Sportsnet.ca reports.

Gurriel will get the day off following six straight starts. In that span, he has gone 11-for-26 with two home runs and 10 RBI at the plate, including four multi-hit games. Marwin Gonzalez draws the start at first in his stead.

Voit went 2-for-4 with three RBI from a two-run double and a solo home run in Thursday's 4-3 win over the Marlins.

The rookie was a veritable one-man wrecking crew in the win, opening the Cardinals' scoring with a mammoth 446-foot shot in the first and following up with a timely two-bagger in the third that erased a 2-1 deficit. The 26-year-old has looked right at home early on against major-league pitching, and he's already racked up seven RBI over six July contests. That caliber of production is simply an extension of the excellent season Voit was enjoying at Triple-A Memphis, where he'd notched 36 extra-base hits (23 doubles, one triple, 12 homers) in 70 games.

Santana remains away from the team while on paternity leave for Friday's game.

This will mark the third and final game that Santana will be out of the lineup, since a player can only spend three days on the paternity list. In his place, Edwin Encarnacion will man first base while Abraham Almonte takes over the designated hitting duties against the Tigers.

Cron was called up by the Angels on Friday.

Cron has spent 34 games with the Angels this season, hitting .212/.266/.297 with two home runs and 14 RBI. The 31-year-old went just 6-for-35 during his time with Triple-A Salt Lake over the last 10 games, but will provide additional depth to the big-league roster behind Luis Valbuena at first base. Cron could see a few starts in the near future when left-handers take the mound, especially with Valbuena's struggles continuing at the plate.

Freeman went 2-for-5 with two doubles, two RBI and a run in Thursday's 5-2 win over Washington.

With Matt Adams on the bench against Nats lefty Gio Gonzalez, Freeman played his familiar position at first base for this one after starting at third in his first two games back from a wrist injury. He smacked RBI doubles in the third and seventh innings to drive in his first runs since May 16. Freeman's picked up right where he left off before getting hurt, and now sports a .345/.455/.730 line in 178 plate appearances.

Bell went 2-for-5 with a double, a homer, two runs and three RBI Thursday in Philadelphia.

Bell's error on a third-inning pickoff attempt allowed a runner to score all the way from first, but he atoned for that mistake with a two-run homer in the very next frame. The first baseman struck again in the decisive three-run eighth, driving in the go-ahead run with a double before coming around to score himself. Bell's now slashing .229/.314/.465 with 42 runs scored and 42 RBI in 85 games.

Rizzo went 2-for-3 with two walks, two RBI, a double and a run scored in Wednesday's win over the Rays.

Rizzo recently shifted back to his more typical No. 3 spot in the lineup, and he was effective there Wednesday. While he did well as the Cubs' leadoff hitter, the slugging first baseman is probably best suited for the middle of the order.