MLB Player News

White Sox first baseman Jose Abreu is mired in a 1 for 25 slump, according to ESPN.

Abreu collected one hit April 13, but that has been sandwiched between a four game stretch in which he has gone hitless. Abreu has seen fewer fastballs than most players, which is likely a sign pitchers are trying to get him out with breaking stuff. Most hitters experience a period of adjustment after they reach the majors, and Abreu will attempt to do so in the coming days.

A matchup against tough Braves left-hander Alex Wood has Phillies first baseman Ryan Howard sitting Thursday. Catcher Carlos Ruiz is merely getting the day off after a Wednesday night game.

Howard is just 3 for 17 against southpaws this season. Ruiz has hit safely in five of his last six games, but owns a disappointing average of .233 and slugging percentage of .326 on the year.

Indians infielder Carlos Santana went 0 for 4 as the team's designated hitter in the Indians' 3-2 win over the Tigers Wednesday. He said after the game that a sore groin has been affecting his hitting, the Cleveland Plain Dealer reports.

Santana has just one hit in 23 at-bats over his last six games to drop his line to .170/.361/.213. However, he has been able to draw 14 walks despite only eight of his batted balls falling for hits.

Angels outfielder Kole Calhoun will be sidelined four-to-six weeks due to a bad ligament sprain in his ankle, the Orange County Register reports.

Calhoun suffered the injury running the bases Tuesday and was placed on the 15-day disabled list Wednesday. He has hit .222/.276/.426 with two home runs, four RBI and two stolen bases in 54 at-bats.

Diamondbacks first baseman Paul Goldschmidt went 2 for 4 with a double and a home run in his team's 5-2 loss to the Mets Wednesday.

It was the eighth double and third home run of the season for Goldschmidt, who is following up his breakout 2013 season with an excellent April. He has hit .338/.392/.577 with three home runs and 10 RBI in 71 at-bats.

The Angels placed outfielder Kole Calhoun on the 15-day disabled list with an ankle injury Wednesday and recalled outfielder Brennan Boesch from Triple-A Salt Lake.

Calhoun twisted the ankle Tuesday trying to beat a ground ball to first base. He's hit .222/.276/.426 with two home runs, four RBI and two stolen bases in 54 at-bats.

Boesch has turned in similar statistics to Calhoun at the Triple-A level this season, hitting .250/.308/.479 with two home runs, nine RBI and one stolen base in 48 at-bats. He had just 51 at-bats with the Yankees last season after seeing regular action with the Tigers over the previous three seasons.

Terry Francona expressed concern Wednesday about a remark made by Carlos Santana in which he claimed that juggling positions has affected him at the plate.

"If that's how he feels, I'm going to have to sit down and talk to him," Francona told WTAM-AM.

Santana plays mostly third base for the Indians, but also serves as the backup catcher. He has historically hit better when he's been the designated hitter.

Carlos Santana asked in the offseason to play third base to avoid being relegated to full-time designated hitter duties, but has admitted his concentration on defense has affected his hitting, per WTAM-1100.

Santana ended a 0-for-19 slide Sunday, but has been a mess at the plate since spring training began. He is still among the league leaders in walks with 14, but his stat line of .196/.383/.233 is not what the Indians are looking for in their cleanup hitter.

Reds first baseman Joey Votto hit a two-run, two-out homer off Francisco Liriano in the seventh inning of Wednesday's 3-0 win vs. Pittsburgh. Votto finished 1 for 3 with one walk and two strikeouts.

Votto hit his fourth home run a day after collecting a season-high four hits Tuesday. All of Votto's home runs have come during a six-game hitting streak. He is batting .450 (9 for 20) with eight RBI in his last six games.

Angels outfielder Kole Calhoun suffered what appears to be a serious injury to his right leg late Tuesday, and it could be one that costs him considerable time.

According to MLB.com, Calhoun will be placed on the disabled list Wednesday with an ankle injury, suffered when he twisted the ankle running through first base trying to beat out a grounder. He had to be helped off the field and could hardly put weight on it as he was helped off the field.

The extent of the injury is not yet known, but it is serious enough to keep him out at least two weeks. Calhoun was batting .250/.297/.500 in his first 14 appearances of the season.