MLB Player News

Marlins first baseman Justin Bour went 1 for 4 with a three-run home run in a 6-4 win over Washington on Thursday.

Bour is in the midst of a nice three-game stretch in which he has two homers and seven RBI. The next big step for Bour is to find success against southpaws, as all of his homers and 49 of his 61 RBI have come off righties this season. If he can find his way into the lineup everyday, Bour could finally become mixed league relevant with his nice power-stroke.

Cubs first baseman Anthony Rizzo went 2 for 4 with his 30th home run, two RBI and a walk in Thursday's 9-6 victory over the Pirates.

Rizzo appears to slowly be working out of a recent stretch that saw him record only two hits in 22 at-bats, hitting safely for the third consecutive game. Rizzo went 4 for 12 over the last three games of what was a key series for the Cubs in their chase for an NL wild-card spot, and will undoubtedly be counted on heavily in the final two weeks of the team's furious playoff push.

The long ball was Rizzo's fourth of the month and leaves him only two shy of tying his career-best mark of 32 homers, a feat he accomplished last season.

Rays veteran shortstop Asdrubal Cabrera (knee) hopes to be back in action in the next few days after an MRI showed no damage beyond a strain, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

More damage would have likely meant the end of the season for the 29 year old, but he should be able to come back for the last couple weeks. Nick Franklin and Tim Beckham will get the starts at shortstop until he returns.

White Sox first baseman Jose Abreu is catching a break Thursday, per Doug Padilla of ESPN Chicago.

It's just a standard day off for the slugger, who has seven hits and two home runs in his last three games. Mike Olt will get the start at first base and hit sixth Thursday.

Cubs first baseman Anthony Rizzo went 1 for 4 with an RBI, steal, walk and run scored in a win over the Pirates on Wednesday.

The stolen bag marks his 16th of the season and first since August 6. The steals are a bit of a surprise for the power-hitting first baseman and if that continues next year, it'll only raise his value going forward.

Phillies 1B Ryan Howard (knee) is hoping to return this season, the Philadelphia Daily News reports. 

He shed his crutches Wednesday after going to the emergency room Monday to have his knee drained. Once the swelling goes down Howard could return for about 10 days worth of games before the end of the regular season.

Phillies first baseman Ryan Howard (knee) was no longer on crutches Wednesday, reports the Philadelphia Daily News. 

He went to the emergency room to have his knee drained Monday, and it's quite possible that Howard's season may be over. That said, there is no definitive timetable to work with, so he should remain on the radar of those in deeper leagues.

Rays slumping shortstop Asdrubal Cabrera (knee) is out of the lineup Wednesday against the Yankees, Roger Mooney of the Tampa Tribune reports.

Cabrera exited the game Tuesday with a left knee strain, but he's considered just day-to-day with the issue. The club will give him a day off Wednesday, however, with Nick Franklin replacing him at shortstop and batting seventh for the Rays.

The veteran had been on a roll, but a 1-for-11 slide and the knee ailment have halted his momentum.

National League Most Valuable Player candidate Paul Goldschmidt was 0-for-1 Tuesday, but walked three times and scored in a win for the Diamondbacks over the Padres.

Goldschmidt has seen his batting average decline over the past month, but games like these continue to allow him to be an on-base percentage monster - his .433 OBP ranks fourth in baseball.

Cubs first baseman Anthony Rizzo went 1 for 3 with an RBI and a walk in Tuesday's 2-1 victory over the Pirates.

Rizzo had only one hit over seven at-bats in Tuesday's doubleheader but made it count, plating Austin Jackson on a two-out single to open the scoring in the first inning.

After a strong start to September that saw him hit safely in six out of his first eight games, including three multi-hit performances and three homers, Rizzo has gone only 2 for 22 in his last six contests. The power-hitting first baseman will need to rediscover his stroke over the last two weeks of the season in order for the Cubs to stay in the hunt for a wild-card spot.