MLB Player News

Howard went 2-for-5 with a solo homer, his 11th of the year, in Thursday's win against the Twins.

Thursday marked Howard's first multi-hit game since April 29. The 2005 NL Rookie of the Year and 2006 MVP is having an embarrassing year, becoming one of the most expensive bench players in the history of the sport. He's making $25 million this season while slashing .150/.204/.350 and obliterating his career lows in practically every meaningful category. At 36-years-old, the writing is on the wall for Howard, and he's sadly become irrelevant in most fantasy formats.

Abreu went 2-for-4 with three-run homer in Thursday's 10-inning loss to the Red Sox.

For a time, it looked as though he'd be this game's hero, as Abreu's shot in the top of the seventh turned a 5-4 deficit into a 7-5 lead. Unfortunately, the Red Sox chipped away at the Chicago bullpen and ended up with the win. Nonetheless, after two cold months to start the year, Abreu's been looking much more Abreu-like in June -- he's sitting on a .333 average with five homers and 20 RBI in 20 games.

Votto (illness) could play Thursday against San Diego, Mark Sheldon of MLB.com reports.

Votto is not in the starting lineup for the third straight game due to a stomach virus but the Reds announced that he would be available to play if needed. The 32-year-old slugger is having a fantastic June, slashing .338/.482/.508 over 18 games. He's also stole four bases this month.

Flores is not in the starting lineup Thursday as the Mets face the Braves.

Taking the day off may help Flores as he has just one hit in his last 14 at-bats. During that stretch, his batting average has dropped from .250 to .228. Kelly Johnson gets the start at third base Thursday and will bat fifth.

Votto (illness) remains out of the lineup for Thursday's game against the Padres.

Votto has missed the past two games with an illness and Thursday will be a third as Adam Duvall will get the nod at first base. He had been playing well recently, going 8-for-22 with a five-game hitting streak during the previous five contests.

Rizzo (back) is out of the lineup against Miami on Thursday, Carrie Muskat of MLB.com reports.

Rizzo left Wednesday's game early with back stiffness and will get an off day Thursday to rest up. With left-hander Wei-Yin Chen on the mound for Miami, the Cubs don't lose much by starting righty Willson Contreras at first, who's hit two homers and driven in five RBI since his call up last week. Rizzo continues to be day-to-day as he nurses his stiff back.

Bour is out of the lineup for Thursday's game against the Cubs, Andre Fernandez of the Miami Herald reports.

Bour has seen action in six of the last seven games and so will get a rest as Chris Johnson makes a start at first base. Bour has been on a roll recently, going 10-for-20 in his last seven games to go along with two homers and six RBI.

Joseph (illness) has been scratched from Thursday's lineup, Matt Gelb of the Philadelphia Inquirer reports.

The young first baseman came down with a case of the cold Thursday, and although he was initially listed on the lineup card, the Phillies have since opted to leave him out for their series finale against the Twins. Andres Blanco will slide over to take Joseph's place at first base Thursday while Cesar Hernandez takes over at second base.

Goldschmidt reached base four times in Wednesday's loss to the Blue Jays, going 2-for-2 with two walks.

Goldschmidt entered June batting .269, but he's now got the average up to .290. A career .298 hitter, Goldschmidt figures to keep the hot hitting going and produce counting stats at an elite level.

Santana went 2-for-3 with a double, a walk, a steal, two RBI and two runs against the Rays on Wednesday.

He's been banging out base knocks pretty steadily lately, having hit safely in nine of his last 12 outings. Santana's been flashing his power in that time as well, knocking out five homers and driving in 11 runs. He's an odd sort of leadoff hitter, but hey, the former catcher did steal double-digit bases last year and could do so again this season -- he's currently 4-for-5 on the basepaths to go with his sparkling 15 homers.