MLB Player News

Calhoun went 3-for-5 with a double, a stolen base and an RBI in a loss to the Astros on Wednesday.

Owners have come to expect this kind of consistent production from Calhoun, but the stolen base is a nice surprise, as it is just the second time he has swiped a bag this season. It wasn't too long ago that Calhoun was projected to take 12-15 bases in a year, and while that may be a stretch in 2016, he has enough power and plate discipline that anything in the 8-10 range would likely be considered a fantastic benefit. He is now slashing .292/.368/.457 with nine homers in 267 at-bats.

Rizzo left Wednesday's game against the Cardinals due to back stiffness, Carrie Muskat of MLB.com reports.

Rizzo was scratched from a start earlier this month with back stiffness but returned after missing just one game. The 26-year-old has been scorching hot in June, hitting .287/.473/.758 with six home runs, 17 RBI and 13 runs in 18 games.

Bour went 2-for-3 with a two-run blast in the 3-0 victory over the Braves on Wednesday.

He is slashing .326/.404/.565 with three homers, 10 RBI and nine runs this month. Since June 13, Bour is 10-for-20 (.500) with three extra-base hits. He now has 12 bombs and 36 RBI this season.

Cabrera homered for the second straight day and drove in a pair of runs as part of a 2-for-3 game with a walk and two runs scored in a 4-3 win over the Royals on Wednesday.

Cabrera upped his average to .270 with a pair of hits, and with eight home runs and 24 RBI, he's posted solid shortstop production for deeper formats. His defense has been excellent all season and was on display again Wednesday. There have been rumors that the Mets might sign Jose Reyes when he passes through waivers, but Cabrera is fairly comfortably ensconced at shortstop.

Votto (illness) is not in the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Rangers.

Votto will miss his second consecutive game with an illness while Ivan De Jesus gets the start at first base in his place. After struggling through the first two months of the season, Votto has finally started to look like his normal self. The Toronto native is hitting .338/.482/.508 with two home runs, six RBI, 14 runs and four stolen bases since the start of June.

Howard is back at DH, batting fourth, against Minnesota on Tuesday, Todd Zolecki of MLB.com reports.

It's likely a temporary move as the Phillies do not normally have the luxury of utilizing the DH position. Howard has started only three of the last 11 games and he's batted 1-for-13 (.077) during that time. His season average has dipped to .145 as well, making the scenario of an option to the minors in the realm of possibilities.

Manager Bryan Price announced that Votto was left out of Tuesday's lineup due to an illness, Mark Sheldon of MLB.com reports.

Adam Duvall will be seeing action at first base for just the third time this season Tuesday with Votto sitting out. Price referred to Votto's ailment as a "bug," so there is hope that the Canadian native won't be sidelined for long. If Votto is able to return to the lineup Wednesday, Duvall would likely move back to the outfield. Votto could also potentially serve as the DH on Wednesday in an effort to conserve his energy coming off an illness.

Bour is back in the lineup, playing first base and batting fifth, against Atlanta on Tuesday, Andre Fernandez of the Miami Herald reports.

Bour was held out of the starting lineup the last two games but he's back out there for the start of a two game series with Atlanta. The 28-year-old has been crushing lately, homering twice with five runs and eight RBI over his last six games.

Parmelee said he hasn't felt any pain in his injured hamstring in about a week, and is working out on a treadmill, Erik Boland of Newsday Sports reports.

Although this is an encouraging sign for Parmelee's recovery, there is still no clear timetable for his return to baseball activities, let alone to the field. In his absence, Rob Refsnyder will continue to be the regular first baseman for the Yankees.

Votto is not in the lineup for Tuesday's game with the Rangers, Zach Buchanan of the Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

Votto will cede the start at first base to Adam Duvall. In his absence Duvall will bat fifth. Duvall usually starts in left field, but today the Reds will go with an outfield combination of Jose Peraza, Billy Hamilton, and Jay Bruce instead while Votto gets some rest. Votto is on a five-game hitting streak, going 8-of-22 in that timespan.