MLB Player News

Joseph went 2-for-4 with a home run and three runs scored in a 6-2 win over the Pirates.

Joseph has struggled mightily of late after initially hitting quite well following a midseason call-up. He was hitting .167/.225/.278 in his last 15 games prior to Wednesday. The home run was Joseph's 19th of the season over 280 at-bats, which projects as roughly a 40-homer year given a full season's worth of at-bats.

Flores will visit a doctor Thursday for an exam on his right wrist, Anthony DiComo of MLB.com reports.

Preliminary X-rays on the wrist were negative after Flores was involved in a collision at home plate last weekend, but the soreness has persisted. In fact, Flores said he cannot even swing a bat. He also hurt his neck in the collision but Flores suggested the neck issue is no longer a significant concern.

Flores (neck) will visit a doctor Thursday, Mike Puma of the New York Post reports.

Flores has been hampered by neck stiffness since being involved in a collision at home plate last weekend, and apparently there hasn't been any noticeable improvement in recent days. The Mets will send him for an exam to get a better read on the issue, and until the results are made public, Flores' status will remain in limbo.

Flores (neck) remains out of the lineup Wednesday against the Nationals.

T.J. Rivera, who was the hero in Tuesday's game, will get the start at second base and hit sixth. The Mets are off Thursday, so Flores will get another day to rest before potentially returning this weekend against the Twins.

Manager Pete Mackanin said he will "lean toward" giving Howard a little more playing time since he is likely in his last few weeks as a member of the Phillies, Matt Gelb of the Philadelphia Inquirer reports.

Howard, who will be a free agent after the season, started a second straight game at first base Tuesday and went 0-for-3 with an RBI. He has been splitting time fairly evenly of late with Tommy Joseph, but will be on the bench the next two days. Mackanin said Joseph will start Wednesday and Thursday.

Cabrera went 2-for-5 with two doubles, a run and two steals in Tuesday's 4-3 win over the Nationals.

Cabrera stuffed the stat sheet in this one, doubling his season steals total while picking up multiple hits for the second time in three games. The veteran shortstop is heating up down the stretch, having hit safely in all but three of his last 21 games. With 16 runs scored and 14 RBI in that span as well, New York's two-hole hitter has been quite the asset lately.

Votto lead the way on Tuesday, going 3-for-4 with a homer, two RBI, and two runs scored in a 6-4 win over the Brewers.

Votto's tremendous second half continued Tuesday, as he's still hitting above .400 over the past month. He now has 24 home runs on the season to go along with 89 runs scored and 84 RBI. Votto's .435 OBP is best in the NL in 2016, a crown he's already captured four times in his career.

Joseph is not in the lineup Tuesday against the Pirates, Matt Gelb of the Philadelphia Enquirer reports.

Joseph has been splitting time pretty evenly with Ryan Howard as of late, so Joseph will cede another start to the left-handed-hitting slugger Tuesday. This seems to be the route manager Pete Mackanin will go moving through the rest of the month.

Flores (neck) is out of the lineup Tuesday against the Nationals, Adam Rubin of ESPN New York reports.

Although there was some speculation that Flores could return to his post at the keystone Tuesday, he'll get an extra day off to rest his ailing neck. Recent callup T.J. Rivera will slot into the lineup in his place.

Joseph isn't in the lineup for Monday's game agaisnt the Pirates.

Joseph went deep in Sunday's game, but continues to split time with Ryan Howard at first base. Monday marks his third time coming off the bench in the past five games, and the timeshare will likely continue the rest of the way.