MLB Player News

Bour is out of the lineup for Friday's game against Washington.

With the Marlins facing lefty Gio Gonzalez on Friday, manager Don Mattingly will give Bour the night off and replace him at first base with Chris Johnson. Bour had started five straight games at first base coming into Friday and he figures to rejoin the order Saturday against righty Tanner Roark.

Howard is out of the lineup for Friday's game against the Reds, Ryan Lawrence of the Philly Voice reports.

With left-hander Brandon Finnegan taking the ball for Cincinnati, Howard will head to the bench as usual. Recent callup Tommy Joseph will man first base in his stead.

Joseph was called up by the Philles on Friday.

Due to Darin Ruf's putrid performance at the plate so far this season, the Phillies were willing to give Joseph a promotion from Triple-A Lehigh Valley. The 24-year-old has been annihilating Triple-A pitching, batting .347 with six home runs and 17 RBI thus far, so he'll try to translate that to the big leagues. He'll likely slot into the short end of a platoon at first base with Ryan Howard.

McBride was recalled from Triple-A Nashville on Friday.

McBride has not been impressive at the plate in the minor leagues, but with Mark Canha recently placed on the disabled list, the A's thought that McBride's ability to play outfield, first base, and catcher was valuable enough to warrant a callup. It'll be tough for him to make an impact given his struggles at the plate, though. To make room for him on the roster, right-hander Zach Neal was optioned to Triple-A.

Joseph is expected to be called up by the Phillies on Friday, ESPN's Jayson Stark reports.

The move has not been confirmed by the team, but it appears Jospeh is set to join the big club. Joseph hit .347 with six home runs and 17 RBI in 27 games with Triple-A Lehigh Valley this season and posted a 1.122 OPS against lefties, so he will likely replace Darin Ruf as the platoon partner for Ryan Howard at first base.

Flores (hamstring) was officially placed on the disabled list Thursday, Kristie Ackert of the New York Daily News reports.

Flores injured his hamstring in Monday's game and hasn't been able to improve much since then. The Mets will be a little thin around the infield without their utility man around, but the bullpen will be bolstered with Sean Gilmartin being called up from Triple-A to take Flores' place on the roster.

Goldschmidt went 2-for-5 with two doubles, a run and an RBI in Wednesday's loss to the Rockies.

Goldy is probably sad to be leaving Coors Field, as he went 5-for-12 with a home run and three doubles the last three days. He raised his batting average 20 points in the process, and it looks like the slugger is breaking out of his early season slump. He is set to face Johnny Cueto and the Giants on Thursday back home.

Manager Pete Mackanin confirmed Wednesday the Phillies have discussed bringing Joseph up from the minors, Jim Salisbury of CSN Philadelphia reports.

Joseph entered Wednesday leading the International League in batting average, slugging and OPS. The Phillies haven't been getting much from Darin Ruf of late, so he could head to the minors and Joseph could slot into Ruf's platoon role at first base with Ryan Howard.

Flores will be placed on the disabled list Thursday with a left hamstring injury.

Flores suffered the injury in Monday's game, though it is not believed to have occurred on his stolen base attempt, during which his helmet popped off and cut him on his forehead. He has backed up at all four infield positions, but due to better health than expected by David Wright, a solid start by the incumbent at each spot and a lack of left-handed opposing starting pitchers, Flores has seen minimal at-bats.

Cron went 1-for-3 with a two-run homer and a walk against the Cardinals on Wednesday.

He provided the only damage the Angels were able to do against Jaime Garcia, and although Cron's season stats remain less than pretty -- .263/.349/.368 won't get many fantasy owners feeling hot and heavy -- daily-league players should pay attention to what he's been doing when the Angels have put him in the lineup lately. Over his last 18 games (15 starts), Cron has gone 21-for-55 (.382) with a couple homers and 10 RBI. His excellent contact skill and above-average pop make him an underrated fantasy asset.