MLB Player News

Braves first baseman Freddie Freeman went 2 for 3 with a run in Friday's win over Philadelphia.

Hampered by wrist and oblique injuries, 2015 has not been one to remember for Freeman yet, as the season winds down, he is doing a good job of reminding owners that he remains very adept at getting on base, boasting a .423 OBP since the beginning of the month. Though his .366 OBP on the season is a step down for his standards, it would still rank eighth among first basemen if he had enough at-bats to qualify.

Phillies first baseman Ryan Howard (knee) could be available as a pinch-hitter over the weekend, Ryan Lawrence of the Philadelphia Daily News reports.

After going to the emergency room Monday to have his knee drained, Howard reported that he was optimistic he'd be able to return this weekend. The first baseman is targeting a return to full-time duty at some point over the upcoming nine game road trip that begins Friday.

The suspension handed down to Reds slugger Joey Votto for his altercation with the home plate umpire last week has been reduced from two games to one upon appeal, the team has reported.

Votto will serve it Friday night at Milwaukee.

Rays infielder Asdrubal Cabrera (knee) plans to resume baseball activities Saturday, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Cabrera's knee showed no structural damage in an MRI, so he should be fairly close to coming back. It might be a matter of comfort for the 29-year-old, so Saturday's activities could help determine his return date.

Indians first baseman Carlos Santana went 3 for 5 with a double and a run scored in an 8-4 loss to the Royals on Thursday.

It's been a strange season for Santana as most numbers are on par with where they should be aside from the average. The power is a bit down, but his 11 steals should make up for that. The .237 average is lacking, but his .363 OBP is very good, as he ranks top-five in walks. Unfortunately, Santana is going to lose catcher and third base eligibility next season and that will drop his value significantly.

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.