MLB Player News

Cabrera is batting third and starting at shortstop for Saturday's game against the Nationals, Matt Ehalt of The Record reports.

Cabrera was a late scratch Friday with a hamstring issue, but inserted as a pinch hitter in the ninth. Nonetheless, the Mets can breathe a sigh of relief that the issue isn't anything serious, as they currently manage with a lineup decimated by injuries. Cabrera is 6-for-26 against probable Washington starter Gio Gonzalez.

Howard is expected to make his season debut for Triple-A Gwinnett on Saturday, Mark Bowman of MLB.com reports.

Howard, who agreed to a minor-league deal with the Braves earlier this month, has been prepping for the season in extended spring training. The 37-year-old certainly isn't the dynamic slugger he once was, but has shown he still has pop against right-handers, mashing 24 home runs against them last season. Howard likely serves as organizational depth, but could serve as an interesting call-up for interleague games or as a heavy hitter off the bench.

Gurriel went 3-for-4 with two doubles, a run scored and an RBI in Friday's 6-3 win over the Rays. He's scored and driven in a run in each of the last three games.

Gurriel's offense started to pick up even before this recent three-game run. After starting the season 2-for-21 over his first six games, the Cuban has hit .500 (13-for-26) with five extra-base hits over the next eight. Gurriel told Jake Kaplan of the Houston Chronicle that he'd been swinging at some bad pitches but is now working in the zone.

Cabrera was a late scratch from Friday's starting lineup due to a hamstring issue, Daniel Popper of the New York Daily News reports.

He was able to pinch hit in the ninth inning and drew a walk, so it doesn't appear as though Cabrera will miss too much action. The Mets can ill afford to have his injury get worse, though -- their bench was so depleted Friday, pitchers Zack Wheeler and Robert Gsellman were used as a pinch hitter and pinch runner, respectively -- so expect the team to be cautious with its starting shortstop.

Flores (knee) was placed on the 10-day disabled list Friday, Daniel Popper of the New York Daily News reports.

T.J. Rivera was summoned from Triple-A Las Vegas in a corresponding move. Flores is receiving treatment for an infection in his knee, and as yet there's no indication he'll need to miss any more than the minimum amount of time.

Rizzo went 1-for-5 with a three-run homer and a walk in Friday's 6-5 win over the Reds.

Rizzo's second blast of the season erased a three-run deficit in the ninth inning, helping the Cubs pull off an extra innings victory. Although he's struggled to find his power stroke this month, there's no doubt that it's just a matter of time until he goes on a tear and puts up the type of numbers that have made him a top fantasy pick.

Bell went 1-for-3 with a two-run homer in Friday's victory over the Yankees.

Bell's second homer of the season gave the Pirates a 4-0 lead that they'd never relinquish. After starting out the first half of the month slowly, he's homered in each of his last two games while hitting safely in four straight, but until he puts together some sustained success, he'll likely remain on many leagues' waiver wires.

Freeman went 1-for-4 with a solo homer in Friday's 4-3 loss to the Phillies.

The lefty slugger clubbed his seventh bomb of the season off Jeremy Hellickson to bring the Braves within one run in a game they'd go on to lose. Freeman's been absolutely on fire during the entire month of April, and the 27-year-old is certainly a player who could be on his way to a massive season as he tries to follow up his 34-homer effort of 2016.

Olson was recalled from Triple-A Nashville on Friday.

A top-10 prospect in the organization, he is set for his second career major-league stint. Olson mostly struggled after being called up last year in September, going just 2-for-21, although he did draw seven walks against four strikeouts. He is not in the lineup Friday and it's uncertain how much he will play while with the big club.

Diaz was optioned to Triple-A Columbus on Friday, Paul Hoynes of Cleveland.com reports.

Diaz leveraged an outstanding spring performance to land an Opening Day roster spot, but with Jason Kipnis returning from the disabled list, there was simply no room at the inn for Diaz to remain in Cleveland. The 25-year-old will head back to Columbus, where he batted .325 with 22 doubles last season.