MLB Player News

Joseph is out of the lineup Saturday against the Braves.

Manager Pete Mackanin said earlier this week that he intends to play Joseph more down the stretch, but so far that has yet to materialize, as Joseph has been out of the lineup in each of the last two games. Ryan Howard will start at first base and hit cleanup Saturday against righty John Gant.

Freeman went 2-for-3 with a pair of doubles, one of which produced a ninth-inning go-ahead RBI, two walks and two runs in Friday's 8-4 victory over the Phillies.

The standout first baseman continued his recent tear, hitting safely for the ninth straight contest and getting on base four times overall. Freeman supplied an extremely timely piece of hitting in the ninth, blasting a two-bagger to left that brought in Ender Inciarte and snapped a 4-4 tie. He scored later in the frame on a Nick Markakis double, and is now 3-for-6 with Friday's doubles, a homer, four RBI, four runs and four walks over the first two games of September.

Votto (neck) is in the lineup for Saturday's game against the Cardinals, Jamie Ramsey of MLB.com reports.

Votto was held out of Friday's game with a stiff neck, but the setback will not prevent him from taking the field Saturday. Votto will man first base and hit third Saturday against Cardinals starter Jaime Garcia.

Rizzo is not in the lineup for Saturday's game against the Giants, according to Bruce Miles of the Daily Herald.

Rizzo will get a day off with the Cubs using a lineup full of right-handed hitters against Giants starter Madison Bumgarner. Rizzo tallied two hits Friday, but a day off Saturday may not be the worst thing, given that he is 3-for-16 (.188) with seven strikeouts lifetime against Bumgarner. Kris Bryant will fill in at first base in Rizzo's place.

Howard started at first base Friday and went 2-for-4 with a double and an RBI in an 8-4 loss to the Braves.

Manager Pete Mackanin said earlier this week that Howard's role would be reduced, which led to Howard voicing his displeasure in the media. On Friday, Mackanin clarified his position, telling Jim Salisbury of CSN Philadelphia that Howard would "get more playing time than he thinks." Howard has made a case for playing time with a .295/.330/.632 slash line and nine home runs since the beginning of July.

Abreu went 3-for-6 with three RBI in a 11-4 victory over the Twins on Friday.

This was the second straight night the first baseman had three hits. He has a modest five-game hitting streak, going 11-for-23 (.478) with three extra-base hits, including two homers during that stretch. Abreu is hitting .293 with 20 homers, 79 RBI and 53 runs in 518 at-bats.

Gurriel is not in the lineup for Friday's game against the Rangers.

Gurriel started the Astros' last game Wednesday in left field, but he will come off the bench Friday night. Gurriel has been held out of the lineup two of the last three games, but he did start four games in a row prior to that.

Votto is being held out of the Reds' lineup Friday due to a stiff neck, C. Trent Rosecrans of the Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

It appeared that Votto was getting a routine day off when he was not included in Friday's lineup, but now it's clear he is actually sitting out due to a minor injury. Votto is considered day-to-day with his setback, so he should have a chance to return to the lineup as soon as Saturday.

Carter is not in the lineup for Friday's matchup against the Pirates.

Milwaukee's slugger hasn't recorded a hit in three consecutive games, so he'll get the night off as Hernan Perez heads to first. Carter will likely return to the lineup Saturday for Milwaukee's game against Pittsburgh.

The A's recalled McBride from Triple-A Nashville on Friday, MLB.com's Jane Lee reports.

McBride posted a .781 OPS over 70 games with Nashville this season. He appeared in 15 games for the A's earlier in 2016 but posted just a .558 OPS in those contests. He will provide some catching depth behind starter Stephen Vogt, and could see some time in the outfield as well.