MLB Player News

Here's proper Chris Colabello context: a 12-team AL-only Roto league where the top bats available on the wire are George Kottaras, Jose Molina and Alberto Gonzalez. While he isn't even officially on the team, speculation is that Colabello will be called up Thursday, after participating in the Triple-A All-Star game. 

Colabello managed just two hits over 16 at-bats with the Twins earlier this season, but he's been destroying everything in his path in Triple-A -- hitting .354 with 24 home runs, 24 doubles, and a 1.084 OPS in 85 games. He can play first base, right field (currently looking like Clete Thomas/Ryan Doumit), or DH. There are plenty of at-bats for the taking here, and if Colabello can get hot, in a Shane Spencer-type way, he could stick with the team for the rest of the season, becoming a nice source of power and average. 

It's deep AL-only territory, but it's a smart risk to take, based on the staying power and impact potential Colabello offers. 

Braves first baseman Freddie Freeman is hoping to be ready by Friday, according to MLB.com.

Freeman appeared at the All-Star Game press conference with a brace on his injured thumb, but said he feels better. He will not participate in the festivities during the break, but hopes he can be back for the Braves' first game. Freeman is hitting .308/.386/.468 in 312 at-bats. 

Indians infielder Asdrubal Cabrera, who got the start at designated hitter Sunday, was 3 for 5 with two RBI in a 6-4 win over the Royals. He doubled to score Lonnie Chisenhall and Drew Stubbs in the sixth inning to give the Indians the lead for good. 

Cabrera, who also scored a run, is batting .255 with seven homers and 34 RBI over 271 at-bats. 

Indians catcher Carlos Santana reached base four times Sunday during a 6-4 win over the Royals. Santana went 3 for 3 with a walk to extend his hitting streak to five games. 

Santana's double to right field in the third inning drove in Michael Brantley. He's batting .275. 

He's gone 8 for 16 during his streak with two doubles, a triple and three RBI. He has 11 homers and 43 RBI. 

Astros manager Bo Porter said Chris Carter missed Sunday's game against Tampa Bay due to a sore ankle injured Friday, MLB.com reports. 

"He kind of tweaked his ankle a little bit [on Friday night] rounding third base," Porter said. "Yesterday he got treatment and today, with the All-Star break coming up and us having a few more days, it just made sense to let him rest and come back on Friday."

Carter is batting .229 on the year and has gone 6 for 25 (.240) in July with 12 strikeouts in nine games and seven starts. 

Braves first baseman Freddie Freeman has been ruled out for the All-Star game, ESPN reports. Freeman jammed his thumb in Saturday's game. The injury will keep him out of Sunday's game as well, but Freeman is expected to return to the club shortly following the All-Star break.

Braves outfielder Freddie Freeman is unavailable Sunday with a thumb injury, the Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports. Freeman has the thumb in a soft splint. The winner of the National League's final vote is now questionable for Tuesday's All-Star game, so there's a good chance he returns for the Braves shortly after the All-Star break.

Astros outfielder Chris Carter missed a second straight game Sunday to finish the first half of the season in Tampa Bay. That said, Carter insists he's fine, the Houston Chronicle reports. 

Carter had been dealing with a bruised right hand, but he says that isn't keeping him from the lineup. His .229 batting average may be the reason he's not playing much these days. Carter has gone 6 for 25 (.240) in July with 12 strikeouts in nine games and seven starts. 

Freddie Freeman knocked in four of the Braves' six runs in the club's victory Thursday over Cincinnati.

Freeman finished 3 for 4 with two singles and a double to go with the four RBI. Freeman has now reached base in 16 consecutive games and is hitting .328/.453/.557 with nine extra-base hits and 13 walks over that span. Freeman is hitting .313/.392/.477 on the season.

Cubs first baseman Anthony Rizzo had a big impact Thursday against the Cardinals, as he drove in each of the team's runs in a 3-0 win.

Rizzo did all of his damage in the first three innings, as he drove in one run with an RBI double in the first inning, then brought two more around with a single in the third. He finished the game 2 for 3 with the three RBI, while walking once.

Rizzo is hitting just .189 in the month of July, though he does have six RBI in his last five games.