MLB Player News

Bell went 2-for-3 with a solo home run and a second run scored in Wednesday's 6-5 win over the Cubs.

His sixth-inning blast off Jon Lester, Bell's third homer of the season, proved to be crucial after the Cubs staged a rally in the eighth that brought them to within one run. The switch-hitting first baseman's hit all three of his home runs within the last week, slashing .316/.435/.789 during that stretch, but hitting in the bottom third of the order has limited him to only six RBI in 21 games. With Pittsburgh looking for offense, expect Bell to work his way into a more productive spot in the lineup if he stays locked in.

Rizzo went 2-for-4 with a home run and four RBI in Wednesday's 6-5 loss to the Pirates.

His two-run shot off Daniel Hudson in the eighth inning brought the Cubs to within one, but they weren't able to complete the comeback. Rizzo now has five homers on the season -- four of which have come in his last six games -- and a strong 12:12 BB:K through 21 games has him on pace for a career-high .400 OBP.

Abreu said he plans to return to action Friday against the Tigers, Bruce Levine of 670 The Score reports.

Abreu left Wednesday's game against the Royals with a mild right hip flexor strain, though he said the pain he was experiencing was in his upper groin area. He'll be re-evaluated after Thursday's off day, but the plan -- at least in his eyes -- is to return to the lineup in time for the weekend series against Detroit. He's batting just .253 with eight RBI in 75 at-bats this year. If the White Sox decide play it safe with him and hold him out Friday, Todd Frazier should slide over to first while Tyler Saladino or Matt Davidson move over to third.

Votto went 1-for-5 with a solo home run during Wednesday's loss to Milwaukee.

The Cincinnati offense is scoring plenty of runs, and Votto's been a key contributor with 16 runs, five doubles, seven home runs and 16 RBI. While his .237/.333/.539 slash line has room for improvement, the veteran has been a better second-half producer in each of the past three seasons, including posting a monster 1.158 OPS after the All-Star break last year.

Flores (knee) has been released from the hospital and will remain at the Mets' spring training facility in Florida to continue his recovery, MLB.com's Anthony DiComo reports.

While it seems doctors were able to successfully treat the infection in Flores' knee, it's not clear when he'll be cleared to resume baseball activity. The Mets have recalled T.J. Rivera and Matt Reynolds to add some infield depth in the interim while Flores and Lucas Duda (elbow) remain on the disabled list.

Abreu left Wednesday's game with a mild right hip flexor strain and is day-to-day.

He will be re-evaluated in Detroit prior to the start of this weekend's series with the Tigers, and hopefully Thursday's off day allows Abreu's condition to improve. The injury was suffered when Abreu did the splits while awkwardly attempting to field a ground ball. Todd Frazier, who moved over to first base after Abreu left, would be an obvious candidate to get starts there while Tyler Saladino or Matt Davidson moves to third base if Abreu has to miss time with the injury.

Abreu left Wednesday's game in the top of the fifth inning after doing the splits while trying to field a grounder at first base, MLB.com's Scott Merkin reports.

His left leg stretched awkwardly on the play, and the White Sox labeled Abreu's injury as a lower-body issue. Todd Frazier moved to first base. with Tyler Saladino shifting over to third base and Yolmer Sanchez coming in to play second. Expect the White Sox to relay an update on Abreu's condition after the game.

Flores (knee) is steadily improving while rehabbing at the Mets' spring training facility in Florida, James Wagner of The New York Times reports.

There's still no definitive timetable for when Flores can return to regular action, but it seems he won't miss more than another week. The veteran infielder has been receiving treatment for an infection in his knee, a major blow to a Mets lineup ravaged by injuries. Look for Flores to retain his everyday role when he gets back to full strength.

Goldschmidt went 4-for-4 with a home run, three RBI and two runs scored in Tuesday's 9-3 win over the Padres.

Goldschmidt reached base in all five of his plate appearances on the evening, boosting his on-base percentage to a robust .441 for the season. The 29-year-old has been on fire over his last four games, going 8-for-15 with two homers, four walks, six runs and nine RBI.

Cron remains out of the lineup Tuesday against the A's, Jeff Fletcher of the Orange County Register reports.

Jefry Marte got the nod Monday against lefty Francisco Liriano, and despite an 0-for-3 showing Monday, Marte will remain at first base against right-hander Jesse Hahn. Cron seems to be in the doghouse after batting just .208/.259/.226 in his first 59 plate appearances of 2017. It's uncertain where exactly Cron will fit upon Luis Valbuena's return from a hamstring injury.