MLB Player News

Astros slugger Chris Carter went deep for the 15th time this season Friday in Chicago. Carter added a double.

He went 2 for 4 as the HR was a solo blast in the seventh inning off starter Matt Garza. He has 38 RBI.

Carter has gone 6 for 18 (.333) over his last five games with a homer and two RBI. He's also struck out eight times over that stretch.

Reds first baseman Joey Votto homered and doubled Friday in Arizona. Votto finished 3 for 4 on the night.

The slugger went deep for the 13th time this season in the seventh inning for a solo shot. He drove in two runs and has a .330 average.

Votto has recorded at least one hit in six straight games and is 12 for 25 (.480) over that span with two home runs and four RBI.

Indians shortstop Asdrubal Cabrera was taking grounders prior to Friday's game, another sign that he is making progress and could be back by the end of June.

"Asdrubal is doing terrific," Indians manager Terry Francona told MLB.com. "He's going to do all baseball activities, and he's going to go with us to Baltimore. The anticipation is actually, when we get through that Baltimore series, he might be pretty darned close to being cleared to play."

Cabrera's first choice is not to go on a minor-league rehab assignment, in which case he could be back by the start of a series in Chicago June 28. However, Leyland told reporters that Cabrera is willing to go down to the minors if that is what the team wants.

"He's great about it," Francona said. "He said, 'I'll do whatever you want. I really don't want to do [a Minor League rehab assignment], but I'll do it if you want me to.' We'll kind of see where we're at and see what's in his best interest."

Indians shortstop Asdrubal Cabrera took grounders and hit Friday.

Cabrera has been out since June 3 with a strained quad. He's planning on traveling to Baltimore with the team, and could return following their series with the Orioles. Cabrera was hitting .254/.311/.434 prior to the injury.

Indians catcher Carlos Santana will DH Friday. 

Yan Gomes will take Santana's place at catcher. Santana will hit fourth against Twins' pitcher Samuel Deduno. He's hitting .281/.388/.489 in 231 at-bats.

Reds first baseman Joey Votto recorded his 35th RBI and finished 2 for 4 Thursday against the Pirates. Votto pushed his hitting streak to five games, batting .429 (9 for 21) with one double, one home run and two RBI.

Votto has two home runs and eight RBI in 19 June games.

Indians shortstop Asdrubal Cabrera (quad) is expected to take batting practice Friday for the first time since he landed on the disabled list June 4, the Cleveland Plain Dealer reports. 

Cabrera, out with a right quad strain, could be cleared to return to the roster for the Indians in around two weeks. He hit in the batting cages and ran in the outfield Monday. 

The Phillies have reached a point with Ryan Howard's knee where they don't know whether he is available to play each day until he reaches the park. Manager Charlie Manuel told the News Journal Tuesday he had to check with Howard after writing his name into the lineup against the Nationals.

"If he’s hurting, I'll talk to him when he gets here," Manuel said hours before the game. "I might have to change my lineup."

Manuel also admitted that Howard's left knee has been a big part of his struggles this season; Howard has just eight home runs, including just two in the last 131 at-bats.

"In Ryan's situation, to use his strength and quick swing, the back side is definitely important," Manuel said. "Push off and balance is what counts. How much it bothers him, I guess he tells us by the way he plays. I've seen where he hasn’t used his legs for quite a while."

Howard has been replaced for pinch runners and defensive replacements at many points this season, and Manuel does not seem to know if that will change moving forward. Howard is hitting .274 with a .784 OPS, the second-lowest mark of his career. 

Cubs manager Dale Sveum held first baseman Anthony Rizzo out of the lineup for the first time this season Tuesday night against the Cardinals.

Rizzo had played the team's first 68 games before taking Tuesday off. He is hitting .157 over his first 15 June games. He has a .241/.327/.444 slash line with 10 homers and 39 RBI this season.

Known for providing power and not much else, Phillies first baseman Ryan Howard has put up some curious numbers over his last seven games. Not only has he compiled a .462 batting average on 12 hits, but of those 12 hits, only three are for extra bases, including a homer.

It's as if he's stopped caring how far he hits the ball and just hits it. He basically said as much after Monday night's game against the Nationals.

"I've been trying to put together some good at-bats and let the power come when it comes," Howard said.

Maybe that's just a throwaway explanation for one of the many oddball trends that inevitable result when you reduce 162 games down to just a handful -- in fact, that's probably the case -- but I'm curious to see what comes next. Howard's power numbers aren't up to snuff, but if he's able to compensate with a higher-than-usual batting average, he'll still be a useful corner infielder or utility player in mixed leagues.

Right now, his .274 batting average would be his fourth-best mark for a full season.