MLB Player News

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.

Rays shortstop Asdrubal Cabrera left Tuesday's game with a left knee strain and he is listed as day-to-day, the Tampa Tribune's Roger Mooney reports.

X-rays were negative, so Cabrera could still return to action this season, but given the Rays' middle infield depth, it would not be surprising if he was given a few days to get right. Nick Franklin replaced Cabrera on Tuesday.

Astros infielder Marwin Gonzalez (finger) is not in Tuesday's lineup.

Gonzalez continues to battle swelling in his finger, and the Astros will go with Chris Carter at first base Tuesday versus Rangers left-hander Derek Holland.

A bruised knee is keeping Phillies first baseman Ryan Howard out of the lineup Tuesday against Washington.

Howard suffered the knee injury during Monday's game against the Nationals. He went to the emergency room after the game and had his knee drained. He is being labeled as day to day, but interim manager Pete Mackanin said "it doesn't look good", according to the Philadelphia Daily News.

Howard has been on a roll lately with hits in his last four games and homers in the last two. He has five RBI in his last three games. But he was hitless in his previous eight.

Phillies first baseman Ryan Howard exited Monday's game against the Nationals with a left knee contusion. Howard took a throw off the knee in the top of the seventh inning, and left the game an inning later.

Prior to the injury, Howard was 1 for 3 with a game-tying solo home run in the second inning. it was his 23rd blast of the season. 

Howard was seen leaving the ballpark on crutches and could miss at least a few games, according to Comcast Sports Net. The team has not provided an official timetable for his return, however.

Reds first baseman Joey Votto has received a two-game suspension stemming from an altercation with the home plate umpire during Wednesday's game. Votto will appeal the suspension, meaning he will be eligible to continue playing until a ruling is made.