MLB Player News

Howard went 1-for-4 with a solo homer while serving as the DH in Monday's 7-0 victory over the Blue Jays.

This is too little too late for the veteran, who has lost his first base job to Tommy Joseph. Howard will probably have one more try to prove his worth as the DH in the second leg of this two-game series Tuesday, but he's likely to be relegated to pinch-hitting duties as the Phillies return home for six games after that.

Goldschmidt went 2-for-4 with a double, an RBI and a pair of runs scored in Sunday's win over the Marlins.

Goldy extended his current hitting streak to seven games and raised his batting average up to .283, which is his high-water mark since the fifth game of the season. The slugger has experienced no shortage of production in the other counting categories and is on pace for another exceptional year now that the average is on the rise.

Rizzo went 3-for-6 with a double, two runs scored and three RBI in Sunday's 13-2 rout of the Braves.

He continues to rake in June, and Rizzo is now hitting .395 (15-for-38) on the month with three homers, 10 RBI and eight runs scored. His 47 RBI also puts him in second place in the NL, just two ahead of Kris Bryant for the team lead.

Santana went 2-for-5 with a pair of homers and three RBI Sunday at the Angels.

Santana's 11th and 12th bombs of the year were part of an eight-run Indians' attack that helped the team to an easy victory over the Angels. He collected five hits in 12 at-bats during the weekend series, and he raised his slugging percentage from .410 to .445.

Abreu went 1-for-4 with a solo homer Sunday against the Royals.

Abreu's eighth blast of the year provided the White Sox with the only run they'd score in a losing effort. He's now hit safely in eight of his last nine games, and his slash line sits at .260/.315/.415.

Bour is out of the lineup Sunday against the Diamondbacks.

Bour mashes right-handed pitching to the tune of a .815 OPS, but is a mere 3-for-17 against southpaws this season. He'll take a seat Sunday with lefty Robbie Ray on the hill for the Diamondbacks, giving way to the right-handed Chris Johnson at first base.

Cabrera is out of the lineup Sunday against the Brewers.

Cabrera hasn't had a day off since May 1, so he was more than overdue for a regular maintenance day, despite riding a four-game hit streak. In his stead, the recently-added Matt Reynolds will draw the start at shortstop.

Manager Pete Mackanin said Howard will probably be used as the DH during the Phillies' two-game series in Toronto that starts Monday, Jim Salisbury of CSN Philadelphia reports.

Mackanin let Howard know Friday that he has lost his starting job at first base to Tommy Joseph. He will be limited to spot starts and pinch hitting duties moving forward.

Abreu went 2-for-4 in Saturday's 4-1 loss to the Royals.

While he posted just two innocuous singles on the day, they represented Abreu's sixth multi-hit effort in nine June contests. He's now hitting .371 over that span and just seems to be missing his power stroke. The 29-year-old has gone deep just twice since May 17 and has only seven round-trippers overall in 242 at-bats after hitting at least 30 homers in both of his previous major league seasons.

Rizzo (back) will rejoin the lineup Saturday, hitting in his usual cleanup spot.

Rizzo was a late scratch Friday due to some back tightness, but it appears he's loosened up since then. He'll be facing the Braves' Matt Wisler, while Javier Baez will sit after moving over to play first in Rizzo's place Friday.