MLB Player News

Phillies first baseman Ryan Howard was just 1 for 4 Saturday, but he delivered a three-run home run in the first inning of his team's 7-2 win over the Nationals.

Howard gave the team all the offense it would need in the eventual win before coming up empty in his next three at-bats, which included two strikeouts. He has hit .255/.328/.481 with six home runs and 17 RBI in 106 at-bats.

Angels outfielder Kole Calhoun told reporters he's hoping to start a minor-league rehab assignment in approximately two weeks, the Orange County Register reports. Calhoun has been sidelined since April 15 with a ligament sprain in his ankle.

Calhoun was given a four-to-six-week timetable and is no longer in a walking boot. He batted .250 with three home runs and six RBI in 60 at-bast before the injury.

The Angels announced several roster moves prior to Saturday's game against the Rangers, the Orange County Register reports. Outfielder J.B Shuck was optioned down to Triple-A Salt Lake City while first baseman C.J. Cron and third baseman Luis Jimenez were called up from Triple-A and inserted into the starting lineup.

Cron is considered as one of the team's top prospects. The 24-year-old .319 with six home runs and 26 RBI in the minors this season. Jimenez hit .304 with seven homers and 15 RBI at Triple-A.

Cubs first baseman Anthony Rizzo is on a power surge. He hit his third home run in three games Saturday against St. Louis. The difference this time around is that it came against a left-hander.

Rizzo turned on an inside fastball against Cardinals reliever Randy Choate and lined it over the right field wall. He has six runs and six RBI in his last three games combined and has elevated his average from .275 to .296 following a mini-slump at the end of April.

Indians catcher Carlos Santana clubbed a home run Friday against the White Sox.

Santana got things going early, doubling in his first plate appearance. In the bottom of the second inning, he took a John Danks cutter, and sent it out to left for a solo shot. Santana would also walk later in the game. 

He finished 2 for 4, with three runs scored and two RBI. 

A hitless streak that has reached 13 at-bats and a matchup against Mariners stud Felix Hernandez has Astros first baseman Chris Carter benched Friday night.

Carter has one hit in seven career at-bats against King Felix. He is batting .153 on the season with 37 strikeouts in 85 at-bats.

Reds first baseman Joey Votto failed to draw a walk Wednesday against the Cubs, which was the first time in eight games he didn't get a walk. In fact, it was just the second time in 19 games Votto failed to draw a walk.

Votto hit .294 with a .473 on-base percentage, .515 slugging percentage and .987 OPS in his last 20 games. He has three doubles, four home runs, nine RBI, 13 runs and 20 walks in that span.

Twins outfielder Chris Colabello is not in the team's starting lineup for Game 1 Thursday.

Colabello will be replaced by Sam Fuld in right field. He's hitting .295 through 95 at-bats to open the season. He should make an appearance for Game 2. 

Cubs first baseman Anthony Rizzo had a remarkable game Wednesday against the Reds, as he reached base five times in a 9-4 win.

Rizzo opened the game with a two-run home run in the first inning, but didn't really need his bat for the rest of the game. He finished the game with walks in four straight plate appearances, ultimately scoring three runs.

After his four-walk performance, Rizzo now has as many walks (18) as strikeouts on the season. He is hitting .283/.407/.457 with four home runs and 12 RBI in 26 games. 

The Mets are not optimistic about infielder Wilmer Flores' chances of becoming an everyday shortstop at the major-league level, a source told the New York Post.