MLB Player News

Freeman went 2-for-3 with a walk, a home run, two runs scored and two RBI in Wednesday's 14-4 loss to the Nats.

His third-inning solo shot off Joe Ross, his sixth homer of the season, set a new franchise record as Freeman reached base in his 12th consecutive plate appearance. The first baseman has been carrying the Atlanta offense so far, slashing .440/.533/.920 through 14 games, but it's a testament to how cold the top of the order has been that he's only got eight RBI.

Calhoun is not in the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Astros, Maria Guardado of MLB.com reports.

This is hardly a surprise considering the Angels are facing a tough lefty in Dallas Keuchel and Calhoun is coming off another 0-fer Tuesday -- a four-strikeout showing against Houston. Calhoun's average has dropped nearly 100 points (from .316 to .218) over the course of the last five games. He is 1-for-12 against southpaws so far after batting .290/.366/.465 against left-handed pitching last season.

Bell went 1-for-4 with a solo home run -- his first of the season -- during Wednesday's loss to St. Louis.

Pittsburgh is going to need Bell to continue making a difference at the dish after the 80-game ban of Starling Marte was announced Tuesday. Bell showed promise as a rookie last season, and especially by walking more times than he struck out (21:19 BB:K). He sports a mini three-game hitting streak (4-for-12), and with the potential of earning a consistent gig in the top half of the Pirates' lineup, Bell is going to be handed an opportunity to succeed.

Stassi will see time in left field along with Daniel Nava and Aaron Altherr while Howie Kendrick (abdomen) is sidelined, Matt Gelb of The Philadelphia Inquirer reports.

Kendrick might only need the minimum 10 days on the disabled list before he returns. That will present limited opportunities for playing time for Stassi and the others in left field. Nava has started in left field for the two games Kendrick has missed thus far.

Calhoun had a rough day at the plate Tuesday, going 0-for-5 with four strikeouts in a 5-2 win over Houston.

After a hot start to the season, the 29-year-old's bat has gone ice-cold recently. Calhoun has failed to record a hit in his last 17 at-bats, watching his batting average dip to .218 in the process. He has too much of a recent track record to simply be dumped this early in the season, so owners should ride out the slump or simply bench the outfielder until he turns things around.

Gurriel went 2-for-4 with a double and a solo home run in Tuesday's 5-2 loss to the Angels.

He came out of the gate slowly, but the 32-year-old Cuban has now collected nine hits in his last six games to push his slash line on the season up to a semi-respectable .268/.286/.390. With A.J. Reed hitting just .238 in Triple-A, Gurriel's starting role at first base seems secure.

Votto went 2-for-3 with a homer, two walks, two RBI and two runs against the Orioles on Tuesday.

After opening the season with a .158/.214/.368 line through the first 10 games, Votto has reminded fantasy owners about the perils of overreacting to early slumps; he's recovered to go 6-for-13 with a double, two homers and four walks in the last four contests. When all's said and done, Votto will very likely end up sitting on another high-20s homer total along with a batting average north of .300, as usual.

Terdoslavich was sent from extended spring training to Triple-A Indianapolis on Tuesday, Rob Biertempfel of the Pittsburgh Tribune reports.

With Jose Osuna getting the call to the major leagues, Terdoslavich will report to Triple-A Indianapolis to fill his void. The 28-year-old slashed .246/.349/.419 with Double-A Bowie within the Orioles' organization last season.

The Pirates could move Bell back to his natural position in the outfield while Starling Marte (suspension) sits out the next 80 games.

Surprisingly, Bell has struggled more at the plate than in the field. He's slashing .194/.275/.525 in 36 at-bats and the team may look for ways of making him more comfortable. Pittsburgh has several outfield options, including Bell, Adam Frazier, Alen Hanson and Josh Harrison. Top prospect Austin Meadows might also become an option after Super 2 arbitration passes in June. In any event, the Pirates will need Bell -- who went 2-for-4 Monday -- more than ever without Marte in the lineup.

Goldschmidt went 0-for-2 with three walks and a stolen base in Tuesday's 4-2 win over the Dodgers.

After supplying a disappointing 24 homers in 2016, Goldschmidt hasn't recovered in the power department through the first two weeks of the new season, with his slugging percentage down 40 points from last year. Fortunately for fantasy owners, Goldschmidt continues to display a patient eye at the plate and has amassed a .410 on-base percentage, which has provided him with plenty of running opportunities. He's already a perfect 4-for-4 on stolen-base attempts, putting him on pace for a second straight 30-plus-steal season.